Hilda Muinos
My father, Gerardo E. Muinos, who is 94 years old was going through his old Rolodex today calling old friends and came upon Arnold Martinez’s business card. I looked him up online and I saw that he had passed in 2021, the same year that my mom Hilda, passed. My father, Gerardo started reminiscing about his time with Arnold and he wanted to share that few people today know that Arnold was an awesome professional baseball player. He played centerfield for the Tampa Smokers and the Shelby, North Carolina team. My dad came from Cuba to play for the Tampa Smokers baseball team and that is where he met Arnold. Later Arnold and Gerardo went to Shelby and were on the same team from 1951 through 1953. My dad says he was a great teammate and a good player. My dad and Arnold shared an apartment in Shelby one season.
Years ago, when I was in Tampa I visited Arnold in his studio and he showed me his precious paintings. He shared a funny story- he said he had a hard time finishing the Sacred Heart painting. The only way he could finish it was to lock himself up in his bathroom so that he could not be disturbed and minimize chores and the “ honey dos” that would pop up. But he finally got it done. His love of Ybor showed with the careful details he embedded in his paintings of Tampa’s most treasured sites. I’m so glad I got to meet him. He was an artist who loved what he did and was rightfully proud of his work.
Hilda Rosa Muinos
