Cortes became the first professional athlete from St. Bernard when he signed a baseball contract with the Southern Association at age 16 in 1939. He won his first professional game that year against the Birmingham Barons.

Dubbed “The St. Bernard Zephyr” by renowned sports writer and broadcaster Hap Glaudi, Cortes was an all-prep player in football, basketball and baseball at Maumus High School in Arabi. He also helped start Little League baseball in the parish in 1958 and is a past president of the St. Bernard Athletic Recreation Department.

Cortes, pitched over 940 innings in his career and amassed a total of 51 wins. In 1943, Cortes also batted .340, hitting two doubles and a triple over the course of 29 games.

During his career he pitched against such baseball greats as Babe Ruth and Duke Snider. Cortes was inducted into the New Orleans area’s Diamond Club Hall of Fame in 1985.

As a pitcher, Cortes threw over 940 innings in his career and amassed a total of 51 wins. In 1943, Cortes also batted .340, hitting two doubles and a triple over the course of 29 games.