07/31/2022
We lost Rudy last night around 6:30pm. His impact on this organization and so many others will forever be remembered. Rudy was a fighter and always up for a challenge. Something he attributes to his father, an Olympic gold medalist and best wrestler in Venezuela. It wasn’t unheard of to hear him asking “who wants to fight,” which is exactly how he fought his battle with cancer. Fighting every day.
He was someone you could trust and rely on for just about anything, especially a good laugh. Rudy took life in stride and was always ready to give a good story or share his input and thoughts on yours.
He believed that a person should learn as much as they could because no one can every take that away from you, and to especially not take crap from anyone. Something he never did, and the reason he never gave up his flip phone.
For the most part, Rudy was a predictable person. If he vanished, you could assume he was either on a smoke break or spending his 20 minutes stretching (sometimes both), so that he could execute flawless round house kicks. Rudy ran his own show and that is how he taught people to live their lives.
Tropicana field and the Rays were his second family. RaysVision acquired Rudy in August of 1999, where he spent 23 years, not only making memories, but giving memories to family and friends each and every day. This was the beat of Rudy’s heart, and the reason so many babies and kids made the jumbotron. Designated and awarded the RaysVision President award and title. Rudy was a true leader and inspiration to all that knew him.
If there is one thing that we’ve all learned from Rudy it is to always do your best and be nice, because people will always remember what you’ve done for them.
Continue to share your stories and memories of Rudy, as those stories and memories will truly show the impact that he not only had on you, but so many others.
