Galveston ISD and the GISD Board of Trustees will host a ceremony honoring Roger “Bo” Quiroga and the renaming of the district’s baseball stadium on his behalf beginning at approximately 5:15 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Tor Baseball Field.

Quiroga, Galveston born and raised, has represented and served the community in various impactful capacities, including serving three terms as the city's mayor.

A Ball High School alumnus, Quiroga is recognized by the district for his outstanding achievements as a student athlete, especially his time with the varsity Tor baseball team.

His baseball journey began in childhood when he played in the Minor Little Leagues, and he worked his way through the ranks, playing in the Little Leagues, Colt League, Pony League and American Legion Ball.

During his senior year, Quiroga served as an integral member of the 1971 Tor varsity baseball team that came within one game of going to the state playoffs for the first time in school history.

Also in 1971, Quiroga pitched a no-hitter against the Arkansas State Champions and was voted Most Valuable Pitcher during the Connie Mack Regional Tournament.

Immediately following the playoffs, Quiroga was drafted when he was 18 years old by the Washington Senators in the first round of the 1971 June Amateur Draft, having caught the eye of professional scouts during his senior year.

Known as Galveston’s iron-armed right-handed pitcher and often referred to as “Ironman,” Quiroga compiled a 77-game pitching career with the Pulaski Phillies, Spartanburg Phillies and Rocky Mount Phillies. He began playing during the 1972 season and last took the field during the 1975 campaign.

Quiroga also signed a contract with the Nuevo Leon team in Mexico, but an injury prevented further play and ended his professional career early. 

Upon returning to Galveston, Quiroga’s journey continued and his influence extended into the business and public sectors as well.

During his three terms as Mayor of the City of Galveston, he oversaw and collaborated on countless projects that have contributed to today’s island economy.

His efforts and successes included nourishing a pro-development attitude within the city that supported the health and blossoming of businesses, re-establishing better financial stability than when he took office six years prior, and fighting for current economic drivers such as the city’s convention center and more.

“I started with nothing,” Quiroga said. “By working hard and always doing the right thing, I wound up with everything I could ever want.”

Quiroga has continuously influenced our community’s youth by coaching baseball teams and passing on his knowledge to future generations of Galveston athletes.

“You can’t give up,” Quiroga said when speaking about Galveston’s youth. “You have to be determined. You have to strive for what you want. You can’t let anyone get in your way.”

GISD is proud of Quiroga's legacy, his love for the City of Galveston and his love for the school district and its students.

District leaders are honored to rename the stadium on Quiroga’s behalf – an action that many have already referred to as well-deserved and overdue.

“Bo Quiroga led the Tor baseball team to its deepest play-off run in history,” GISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson said. “After being drafted in the first round, he played professional baseball until an arm injury stopped his career. At that time he came home to Galveston and began investing in his community, but more importly, into the lives of young men.”

“Renaming the baseball stadium to Roger Bo Quiroga Field is long overdue and I am proud that Galveston Independent School District has taken this action,” Gibson added. “The name Bo Quiroga will live in the life of Ball High School forever and be recognized in the most fitting way.”

Quiroga will be memorialized with the unveiling of a permanent plaque and display highlighting not only what his legacy means to Tor baseball and Ball High School, but to the Galveston community as a whole.

The renaming ceremony will be held on the field immediately preceding Ball High's varsity baseball game against Manvel High School.

The community is invited to attend. Attendees must purchase a ticket to the 6 p.m. game against Manvel to enter. Tickets are available for purchase online here.

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*Please note: If the event is rained out, the renaming ceremony will be rescheduled to April 5.*

To watch a video interview with Quiroga and GISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Gibson, click on the image below.