Page 20
EL UVALDE TIMES
February 8, 1992
Armando Quintero: “The Dean of Spanish Broadcasters” Part II
The following is the second of a two part story reprinted with permission from Pro-Mex Sports, a monthly sports publication from San Antonio, Texas. The first part appeared appeared in our January 11, 1992 issue. Pro-Mex Sports is dedicated to presenting the best of today’s hispanics in sports and is accomplishing the very worthy task of insipring our youth toward success through hard work and determination. Armando Quintero is a shining example for our youth.)
Armando Quintero grew up in South Texas agricultural communities, dreaming of baseball games and athletic heroics. As a young boy, he dabbled in broadcasting at the local radio stations, absorbing as much information as he possibly could. After a few minor detours, which took him to Mexico and back, Armando’s fate was to excel at his first love, broadcasting. Today, Armando, 35, now the head of sports broadcasting at KWEX-TV in San Antonio, talks about his experiences in the arena o broadcasting and the colorful people he has come in contact with over the years.
Armando Quintero has only positive things to say about his association with America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. The Spanish broadcast had been initiated the year before Armando started doing it, but is only after his energetic, unique style became noticed that the broadcasts gained notoriety.
“All of a sudden, I was being interviewed by local TV stations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth market. They all wanted me to call a touchdown,” says Quintero.
He credits his “educating” the audience on plays and lingo of the game as the reason for acquiring
such a following.
In retrospect, Quintero says now that he and other Spanishspeaking media weren’t aggressive enough in their pursuit of interviewing people like Tom Landry and Roger Staubach at first. Eventually, they all grew more comfortable with each other and Coach Landry and Staubach looked forward to their interviews with Armando. Quintero says that the Hispanic media for the most part today is noticeably more aggressive and assertive in their line of questioning and pursuit of interviews with be name stars.
Needless to say, because Dallas had been the first team in the NFL to broadcast in Spanish, Hispanic media had firs-rate accommodation in Texas Stadium.
The case was not always so when the crew ventured outside the friendly confines of Texas Stadium. In Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Armando an his color analyst were unable to see the end zone from their assigned seats. They pretty much had to rely on fan reaction or pair of binoculars to call a TD. The saddest art of all is that the shabby condition he was subjected to almost 12 years ago remain virtually the same. Little has changed for Hispanic media at Candlestick Park.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Quintero used to broadcast the Texas Rangers games from Arlington Stadium. Because the team was unable to accommodate him in he press box, they agreed to erect a makeshift “perch” for him on the third base side, comparable to a deer lease blind. Once, it poured down on Armando and his very delicate equipment. He was afraid to touch it for fear of being shocked. He sat there, getting soaked, afraid to leave the expensive equipment. The game was rain delayed, so Armando climbed off
from the perch and found shelter under the concourse where he could still keep a watchful eye on the equipment.
“As I sat in my makeshift booth getting wet, I could look into the stadium’s regular pressbox,” Quintero said. “Everyone there was dry, laughing and having a good time. I made a vow to myself that night to continue to work hard and to excel in my profession so that one day, I too, would be treated as an equal among my English counterparts”.
As Quintero looks back to the yesterdays, he doesn’t complain. There is no sarcasm or bitterness. He does not feel that the obstacles and inconveniences he experienced were in vain. In fact, accommodations have improved considerably.
Just a few months ago, Quintero enjoyed probably the largest audience of all broadcasts when he announced the Major League All-Star Game from the Toronto Skydome. His voice was heard in Mexico and all of South America and Spanish-speaking America. It is estimated he had more listeners than the English broadcasters.
A familiar scene at the airport is Quintero catching an early A.M. flight.
■ ■ '
i

Pro Mex Sports
A magazine on the move.
In Toronto, Quintero was seated in one of the most sought after pressbox locations-right behind home plate. Seated in the adjoining luxury box to Quintero’s left was the President of the United States and Canada’s Prime Minister.
He has an exclusive working contract with the NBA to broadcast the All-Star Game in Spanish, which he has done
successfully the past two years. He praises the NBA on its excellent treatment of all the media.
Another example of how far Quintero has come, came in a visit to New York to broadcast a Cowboys game. He called the commissioner’s office to say hi. Much to his surprise and delight, the busy executive made time in the schedules and invited Armando to his office. He was been treated like a VIP and given a grand tour of the entire headquarters. Class, he says.
Quintero attributes much of his
Continuned on Page 21
TAFOLLA FENCE COMPANY BUILT WITH QUALITY BACKED BY EXPERIENCE
Commercial Residential Farm & Ranch
278-9631
753 S. Getty Uvalde, Tx
e- .e.ejua aex»e-a¡au«i
tie- xwo*
SPORTS
7334 Blanco Rd. Suite 204 San Antonio, TX 78216
Only $19.50 for a one full year (12 issues) subscription
YES, I would like to receive ProMex Sports every month. Enclosed is $19.50 for a one year subscription.
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
ZIP:
(512) 340-5583