Hector Limon credits parents for success that's led to Lubbock ISD Hall of Honor

In the late 1970s and early '80s, the Lubbock Christian University baseball team played a handful of games on Estacado High School's home field. Hector Limon made a point of attending each one.

Growing up, Limon's father was a devoted Chaparrals fan, which rubbed off on him. His dad had a relationship with LCU coach Larry Hays, which made the prospect of playing for the Chaps all the more enticing.

During these LCU games, Limon intently watched Chaps star first baseman Tim Leslie, admiring the mechanics of the lefty at the plate.

"I felt like he had just a very efficient swing," Limon said. "Just very easy swing, nice and easy and lot of success."

Limon mimicked Leslie's approach with Estacado, which led to great success on the field. Joining the Matadors' baseball team when the program revived in the late '70s, Limon was among the group of youngsters who stuck together to turn it into a powerhouse with a pair of appearances in the UIL state tournament.

From there, Limon went on to his own stellar career at LCU, helping the Chaps win the 1983 NAIA national championship. Also a standout in football – playing three years total, two on varsity – Limon stuck with baseball, though. Already a two-time member of LCU's hall of honor, Limon will join the Lubbock ISD Athletics Hall of Honor on Saturday.

Limon said much of his success is due to his parents, Raymond and Elvira, setting the example of hard work. Raymond had a fifth-grade education, while Elvira made it through the third grade. Coming from migrant families, Raymond and Elvira traversed through Texas and into Oklahoma for seasonal farm work, first settling in Big Spring, then heading to Lubbock for better opportunities for their son.

Primary among the lessons Limon said his parents instilled in him was a passion for hard work – and baseball, which Raymond played semi-professionally "at every cotton gin that everybody has along the way."

"It was probably as soon as I could walk," Limon said of his love of baseball. "Probably in the womb."

Originally settled in Lubbock High's attendance zone, the Limons moved into Estacado territory when Vince Buffamonte restarted the baseball program. Raymond had a relationship with Buffamonte, and Hector only wanted to play for him when his high school career began.

Thanks to Limon, it didn't take much time for Buffamonte to jolt the Estacado program into high gear. The Matadors made the state tournament in Limon's junior year and returned his senior campaign.

Between his freshman and sophomore years, Limon made a change. Wanting to focus on baseball, Limon had spurned other sports until one of his favorite coaches, Bob Romero, asked him to join the football team. Limon gave it a shot, playing JV as a sophomore before becoming a two-time all-state selection his final two years.

Though he didn't plan on being a football standout, Limon said the gridiron certainly played a role in his development in baseball.

"I thought that gave me a little more of a mental perspective, mental toughness," Limon said.

Limon had plenty of options. He was chosen in the 30th round of the 1982 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He also had Texas Tech — who likened him to legend Gabe Rivera — and Oklahoma State yearning for his services in football.

But it was ultimately going to be baseball, and his choices were to stick with his dream school of LCU or take the shiny bait. Cliff Gustafson, head coach at the University of Texas, joined the recruiting battle for Limon late. Gustafson's pitch was simple: the Longhorns had a scholarship waiting for him if he wanted it.

Hays, though, made the in-home visit. Gustafson didn't. The choice wasn't too hard.

"We grew up watching the things that he did and we grew up watching this program, and my dad was high on him," Limon said. "I thought, gosh, if somebody like Tim Leslie goes and plays for Larry Hays and LCU, then it must be a good place."

The decision appeared to be a good one. Limon batted .413 his freshman season and helped the Chaps win the national championship on their home field. He finished his LCU career with a .373 batting average and has since been inducted into the school's athletics hall of honor as an individual and along with the 1983 team.

Limon's post-playing career has taken him all over West Texas. He's made coaching stops at both of his alma maters – leading the Matadors to the 2010 state tournament – and a slew of other places. Limon is now semi-retired. He and Josie, his wife of 40 years, work in the Crane school district to assist with their grandson Reese, who was born with hip dysplasia.

Reliving each stop throughout his career, and revisiting his days as a player, a slew of memories cropped up for Limon. It's hard to keep track of it all; he even neglected his most recent coaching stint, serving as assistant coach at LCU, when running through his list.

While many want Limon to talk of his achievements and what's led to his latest Hall of Honor induction, he has trouble propping himself up. It's never been his nature, and not one of the lessons he learned from his parents.

"It's not a time to toot my own horn," Limon said. "I don't feel my accomplishments and stuff like that would have come without other people. ... I just am grateful. It's not time for me to be selfish and enjoy this about myself. It's a time I think to give credit and to understand and realize how it all came about."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hector Limon credits parents for success that's led to Lubbock ISD Hall of Honor