Hooked on Hounds – Ramiro Sauceda

Ramiro Sauceda

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Hooked on HoundsAnyone remember when the San Benito Greyhounds used to burst onto the field at Greyhound Stadium through a hazy but very cool mist of smoke? It was almost magical.

Well, Ramiro Sauceda was the guy behind that smoke machine. The 72-year-old Greyhound fan, this week’s Hooked on ’Hounds candidate, has long participated in San Benito High School football activities, such as assisting with the pregame festivities. After all, Ramiro was a longtime member of the San Benito Greyhound Quarterback Club and season ticketholder for years. He even still has a book where he keeps his membership cards and ticket stubs to prove it.

Considering as much, featuring Ramiro in today’s San Benito News was a no-brainer, and it didn’t take long to find him. During a telephone conversation with Hector Avila, a member of the Greyhound Hair Club and a Hooked on Hounds alum, Ramiro’s name was brought up for a future story.

“The only thing is that I don’t know where he lives, and I don’t have any contact information,” I explained to Hector, who replied, “He lives in that house on La Palma near Bobby Morrow Stadium; you know…the one with all the Greyhound stuff in the front.”

The rest was easy. With an interview set up the following day, Ramiro welcomed this humble writer into his home. What I wasn’t aware of was when I entered was that he needed a cane, and sometimes even a wheelchair to get around. You see, Ramiro’s been disabled since 1989, when he fell off of a truck at work. He’s also diabetic. In fact, Ramiro recently became ill, thusly less mobile. This, unfortunately, affected his routine of attending Greyhound home games.

Still, Ramiro’s passion for the purple and gold never waned, and when he was better, he returned to cheer on his team.

“I used to go to all the games until I got sick this year,” Ramiro said while sitting in his wheelchair, displayed behind him were many articles of Greyhound trinkets. “I’m doing better and can walk a little better now, but sometimes I have to use my wheelchair to go to the games.”

Now that’s dedication.

News: How long have you been a fan of the Greyhounds?

Ramiro: Since I can remember…maybe 1956, when I used to follow Don and George Scoggins.

News: Were they some of your favorite players?

Ramiro: Yes, they were good. Don was one of the best runners. There was also one guy I called “Frito”…“Frito” Cordova. He was a quarterback also. His son is an attorney in town.

News: You seem to keep up with a lot of your favorite players. What is it about the Greyhounds you love so much?

Ramiro: Football is my favorite sport, and I love San Benito. I follow all the players, even my brother Hernan Sauceda. He was a good player under Head Coach Jake Helms.

News: Talk about the San Benito Greyhound Quarterback Club.

Ramiro: I quit when they got the helmet (that the players now exit from), because I used to run the smoke machine and it wasn’t needed anymore.

News: What games do you look forward to every year?

Ramiro: Harlingen vs. San Benito: The Battle of the Arroyo. I don’t like Harlingen. I always want the Greyhounds to beat the Cardinals. The next one would be Los Fresnos.

Editor’s Note: Before the end of the year, fans featured in Hooked on ’Hounds will be rounded up. You can vote on your favorites to participate in the First Annual San Benito News Hooked on ’Hounds competition. To recommend a fan to feature, email editor@sbnewspaper.com.

Read this story in the Nov. 18 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2012/11/16/hooked-on-hounds-ramiro-sauceda/

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