November 7, 2007 --
SPORTS
'I take from the rich and give to the poor" is Julio Pabón's motto. As the founder of Latino Sports Ventures, Inc., a local memorabilia shop and marketing firm that promotes Hispanic peloteros, the 55-year-old Bronx-born Puerto Rican feels an obligation to give back.
One of the events he organizes is a yearly back-to-school fair, including games and a picnic. Each kid walks away with a free backpack full of school supplies.He also offers discounted and free Internet access to kids in his store.
Pabon's latest crusade is the Retire 21 movement, a campaign to retire Roberto Clemente's number. “That's going to make me feel so good," says the sports fan, who won't rest until Major League Baseball does the right thing.- GBOther power player: Omar Minaya, 49, METS General Manager