Eugenio “Gene” Contreras Jr.
Inducted in 2004
Four year starter for Fabens High School playing shortstop and relief Pitcher
Played for 14 years for the Fabens Merchants starting at the age of 15 in 1965
Named to All-Star team nine times
Won two consecutive batting titles hitting .494 in 1973 and .600 in 1974
His .600 batting average in 1974 is a record which had not been broken as of 2004
Named Most Valuable Player in 1967, 1971 and 1973
Played 22 seasons of Winter baseball in Mexico and the Zaragosa Lower Valley League
Played for the Caseta Rojos, Reforma Tecolotes and Los Tigres de San Ignacio
Played on 5 league championship teams including one each with Caseta Rojos and Los Tigres de San Ignacio and 3 titles in a row with Reforma Tecolotes
Also played for the Socorro Cougars in the Lower Valley league
Played for All Star teams that traveled in Mexico to compete against teams from Chihuahua, Delicias and Casa Grandes
Coached a summer boys team for 3 years
Umpired games in the Bel Air Optimist League for 6 years
During his playing days he was scouted by the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates but never signed
He was also offered a contract to sign with the Juarez Indios of the Liga Mexicana but was unable to reach a salary agreement
