Ralphie Valladares

[s2gib]

I can remember my Grandmother taking me to the games when they would be playing @ the Orange Show Fair Grounds??? in San Bernardino in the late 60's (I was in my teens). He is the only 1 that really stuck in my mind. Roller Derby was/is the only professional sport game I have ever attended. Never went to another Roller Derby game after my Grandmother passed away in 1969 - it was fun to see her react the way she did @ the games - FOND MEMORIES.

[unclejuniorsoprano]

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. I fondly remember Ralphie from the late 60s early 70s. He was a roller derby superstar who gave thousands of people a lot of enjoyment. He was always one of the good guys. It's so sad that he died before his time. What a tragic loss that was for his family. He was a true classic. This messages shows that he is still fondly remembered & will never be forgotten.

[witchywoman1311]

I can't believe I cried, but I did...I remember going to the games when I was little, probably 40 years ago:-) I wanted to be a skater as a little kid, I really miss the old games!!!

[ThePenny1957]

Folks I cried when I saw this too.  Go T-Birds Go forever!

[jdmitchell2]

Great tunes!

[youluckdeluxe]

日本では”人間豆タンク（戦車）とニックネームがついていました­。一緒に助っ人に来た女性、コリンと一緒に、東京ボンバーズの縁­の下の力持ち。今でも鮮明に覚えています。ありがとう、ラルフ　バラディアス。僕は小学生でしたけど、初めて外国の人の名前をフ­ルネームで覚えた人です。英雄ってこういう人のことだと思います­。

[arlenerogerswilhite]

Sorry I just got so excited and started posting not realizing Mr. V has gone on from this life. he was a terrific guy I met as a kid shook his hand as they left the arena. Judy Sowenski b4 she was trade terri lynch danny reily and honey sanchez boy were they a match. thanks again for the memories.

[arlenerogerswilhite]

This brings back soo mny memories when I used to go with my mom to the Olympic auditorium to see the T-Birds. Ralphie Judy and Terri were the favorites. I am glad to know he's a Living legend I just took a chance to see if he was on you tube and Whola!! thank you for giving me this joy in my heart. Please if you know him let him know he is not forgotten.

[kenpalmer1965]

This is a marvelous and moving tribute to the late,great Ralphie Valladares. I enjoyed watching him skate with the old Los Angeles Thunderbirds roller derby team. He was such a sensational athlete and the crowd alwats loved him. I got a bit choked up just viewing this tribute to him. Great video!

[Hardeen31]

I almost lost my life because I wouldn't give up going to the San Diego sports Arena To see Ralphie and the T-Birds. Tha Infection hurt so bad that night but I hung in there and loved every minute of it. Thanks Ralphie For all you gave.

[knuttsaq]

Greatest skater ever! Ralphie, you, the T-Birds and Roller Derby were my childhood. Thank you!

[WildmanWoodie]

We miss you, Ralphie!

[jdmitchell2]

@WildmanWoodie

AMEN!

[Dianesdaughter]

When I was a kid my parents took us to the Olympic Auditorium every Saturday night or Sunday afternoons. I remember Ralphie and Honey well. Good people and good entertainers

[DogSaliva]

This Guy proved why Roller Derby was Fake he was a Joke.

[watcher818]

@DogSaliva Such rude comments punky. What have YOU done in life? Complain and whine??

THANK YOU derbygames for creating this tribute.

Ralphie was an entertainer, a great skater and a true gentleman. We had the privelige of seeing Ralphie in person at the Olympic many times.

RIP Ralphie...........

[PoobahSCRG]

Wearing #4 in most of the footage here is Frank Macedo.

[bandstand54]

Ralphie was also in "Kansas City Bomber' with Raquel Welch. He's in the opening sequence.

[bandstand54]

I used to watched the "Roller Game of the week" on channel 41 in New York City in 1972/73. I believe Ralphie and Sally Vega skaed with the Latin Liberators for a while. Latin Liberators played my hometown the New York Chiefs on Easter Sunday 1974 at the Nassau Coliseum.

[KnowledgeClips]

Nice tribute. Ralphie was my favorite skater when I watch the derby in the 70's and 80's. His jams were always exciting to watch- especially when he won the game at the last minute. I even named my pet parakeet after him :-)

[oneneshama]

ralphie and i were very close friends. i had just spoken to my boyfriend about him tonight and decided to look and see what lately might be on the internet about him. made me feel sad. he was a very sweet close friend of mine. his funeral was difficult for me to take. hey! frank and mike, if you happen to read this? it's leah. remember me? ughh~ frank and mike were ralphie's best male friends.

[LeothePatrioticLion]

Ralphie, you were and always will be my favorite T-Bird. Second place goes to the two twins you helped rescue from the Maniacs and Violators.

[p4horror]

Ralphie was the greatest. I loved watching the T-Birds when I was a kid. Between the rivalries, The "Match Races", & the "pro wrestling" interviews it was very entertaining. Good times.

[DMSActon]

I am lucky enough to be able to call Ralphie family, I married his great nephew last year. We got to go to a memorial game 2 weeks ago, it was a lot of fun! He is greatly missed.

[tonicharb]

My dad too came from Guatemala when he was twelve. We also lived in Pico Rivera and used to watch Ralpie on TV. Little did we know.

[code2high]

Back in the 1960's Roller Game of the week on KTLA with Dick Lane and Ralphie and all the other wonderful Roller Games skaters was a MUST WATCH !!!! From 1967 -1971 my father and I went to see the Roller Games LIVE at the Olympic Auditorium every Sat night ! ! I would'nt trade those memories for anything ! THANKS RALPHIE !!! You ALWAYS gave us our moneys worth and a whole lot more !

[florencioBB]

To the Valladares Family; I watched on Entertainment Tonight that George Lopez state that wrestler' "Mil Mascara" as his super-hero due to the lack of Hispanic/Brown skinned role models in the 60's and 70's. Well, Ralphie Valladares was mine. And I'm of Filipino descent! Thanks Ralphie. By the way, Honey Sanchez/Mrs. Valladares was HOT...

[radioguy59]

A class man! A tribute to the game! I worked with him in the 70's and he taught me class!

[MohammadAhsan]

Ralphie Valladares passed away at the age 62 and he was wonderful to watch how he managed to skate around the circle and he finished against all odds and troubles that the contenders gave to him.

[ruedydude]

that was scripted my friend to have Ralphie do that or score the last points and have the T-Birds win.

[MohammadAhsan]

Ralphie Valladares passed away at the age 62 and he was wonderful to watch how he managed to skate around the circle and he finished against all odds and troubles that the contenders gave to him.

[hotjam2]

Would anybody know if the T-Bird vs Midwest Pioneers game footage(at the end) is for sale on vhs or dvd?

[derbygames]

Those were old Pioneer uniforms, but they were used in Roller Games as the All-Stars.

[JJN259]

derbygames -- do you know what year the T-Birds played the All-Stars wearing the old purple Pioneers uniforms? I know the T-Birds started using the green uniforms in 1978. Those uniforms were originally used by the Florida Jets in 1971 and the newly formed Baltimore Washington Cats in 1972. They were also used in various short-lived leagues on the East Coast after the ISC ended in 1975. Those purple Pioneers uniforms made the rounds -- 1976 Texas Outlaws, 1981 Jersey Jolters, etc.

[ShawnActor]

I loved Ralphie Valladares. I remember him from the 1989 Rollergames sports skating series that aired on CBS at 12:30 p.m. every Saturday.

I have a few Rollergames episodes with him in it. I have the one with T-Birds VS Violators and T-Birds VS Maniacs. I may post those episodes up for people to see at a later time.

[b42baritone]

I've been a roller durby fan since early 60's. I would seen them at the Olympic Aud. and at Long Beach among other venues in Southern California. The first match race I remember Ralphie in was a 75 lap endurance race! He won it.

[1036kid]

there will never and I mean NEVER be another fuckin' Ralphie, your legacy will live on forever big homie....kick ass Ralphie, kick ass!!!!ONE LOVE

[mcmiraclevalley]

Ralphie was indeed a nice person. I recall his nice remarks when I was a rookie for the LA-T-Birds. Many times I was hurt but Ralphie would say (Kid, you can do it) Rest in peace good man:

Michael Capps, RN, Ph.D

Bakersfield, Ca.

[Radochio1]

There will never be another one like you, my friend. R.I.P.

[TellyGonzalez]

Rest in Peace, Ralphie. You've earned it.

[BootPatrol]

Truly, Ralphie was one of the best to ever put on the skates.

Rest In Peace, Ralphie. You are miseed, but, more so, you are loved.