D-backs to honor Tucson visionary Raúl E. Aguirre with prestigious Pete García Los D-backs Hispanic Leadership Award

The Arizona Diamondbacks and its Los D-backs Hispanic Council are recognizing one of Arizona’s most influential Hispanic leaders, Raúl E. Aguirre, a renowned media personality and President and CEO of REA Media Group, with their 2025 Pete Garc**ía Los D-backs Hispanic Leadership Award** for advocacy, leadership and service to the Arizona community.

Aguirre will be presented with the award and throw out the ceremonial first pitch, during the team’s Hispanic Heritage Weekend, presented by Estrella Jalisco, on Sunday, August 24. Aguirre, who has been a trailblazer and leading advocate for Latino representation for over the past four decades, was hand-selected for the award by Los D-backs Hispanic Council, a group comprised of 17 local Hispanic and minority business professionals who work alongside the Diamondbacks to enhance the relationship between the D-backs and the Hispanic Community. For more information about the council, click here.

Since the 1970’s, Aguirre has been on the forefront of Latino leadership. He launched Arizona’s first bilingual radio, conducting high-profile interviews with César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Edward James Olmos, and many more, covering critical topics and becoming a beacon of hope and dialogue for his listeners. On the international stage, his voice resonated through Univision, where he wrote, produced, and appeared in segments broadcast worldwide—bringing pertinent topics and social awareness to a global audience. For many years, Aguirre was the sole Arizonan featured on morning and primetime news, with his reports airing on renowned national programs such as Hola América, Noticiero Univision, and later, De Película. Honored for his advocacy and leadership, Raúl is a recipient of the Ohtli Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Mexican government to individuals who have helped open paths for the Mexican diaspora. From the 1970s to the present day, issues like immigration, minority representation in national media, and the rising influence of the Latino demographic have been at the heart of Raúl Aguirre’s work and advocacy. His selfless leadership and mentorship have empowered a diverse community in the pursuit of excellence.

The Pete Garc**ía Hispanic Leadership** Award was created by the D-backs in 2007 to recognize individuals for their advocacy, leadership and service to the Arizona community. In 2017, the award was named after Pete “Big Dog” García, a Phoenix native and former President and CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC). Under his leadership, CPLC's operating budget grew to over $60 million, and in 2008 it was named as the second largest Hispanic Non-Profit in the US by Hispanic Business Magazine. Upon retirement, García started a new foundation focused on creating educational opportunities for underserved students and raised more than $4 million to enable students to attend college. Past recipients of the Pete García Award include January Contreras (2024), Anna Maria Chávez (2023)Tony Astorga (2022), David Adame (2021), Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez (2020), Dr. Cecilia Rosales (2019), Dr. Jose Cardenas (2018), Elisa de la Vara (2017), Terri Cruz (2016), Tommy Espinoza (2015), Ed Pastor (2014), Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick (2013), Paul Luna (2012), Mary Rose Wilcox (2011), Luis Ibarra (2010), Dr. Loui Olivas (2009), Armando Flores (2008) and Pete García (2007).