I've been to Old San Juan tres times in this lifetime. All for el Caribbean breeze (tho it can be hella humid), el food (oh those rich latin spices), & el smooth pirate rum (arrr)! I especially amore Old San Juan because of el 16th century Dutch & Spanish architecture. El pirate wars & of course I was black beard in a previous life (arrrrrrr)!
On one of my pirate runs I literally ran into a very old stadium with a statue of a boxer at el entrance. I had no clue of it's existence or who this person was. Obviously a legend in el barrio, but what was & who was he. El plaque read "Sixto Escobar, 1913...". Hmm name sounded familiar and El Papi would know, but I had no time to rotary dial Papi and just had to find out what this was all about. Nada was listed on Yelp (arrr)! Google to el rescue and...
"Estadio Sixto Escobar: The stadium was opened on November 12, 1935. The Cincinnati Reds has conducted spring training at the stadium since 1936. In April 1938, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico voted to name the stadium and surrounding park in honor of Sixto Escobar, a Puerto Rican professional boxer who became Puerto Rico's first world champion. A statue of Escobar stands on the grounds." "Many events of the 1979 Pan American Games were held at the stadium." - triposo
Wow! A legendary boxer and historic stadium! And it's all because I was casually strolling through a lovely Spanish barrio towards the Barcardi distillery. I explored around el stadium & appreciated el history here... a strong Spanish presence filled el air & just a stones throw from el beach. I wondered if Sixto had a hammock, maybe?! I didn't get el chance to peek inside el stadium since my pirate blood was screaming for a piña colada... stat (arrr!), but I am glad my paths crossed w/ Estadio Sixto Escobar! A true boxing legend! Almost as famous as J.Lo... Te amo;) read more