Roberto Francisco Ávila González (April 2, 1924 – October 26, 2004), known as "Beto" in Mexico and as "Bobby" in the United States, was a Mexican professional baseball second baseman.

A native of Veracruz, Mexico, Ávila began his career playing for the Puebla Angeles of the Mexican League from 1943 to 1947.

During those five seasons, which were the peak of Ávila's career, he appeared in 716 games and compiled a .301 batting average, .374 on-base percentage, and 839 hits.

He led American League second basemen in fielding percentage (.986), assists (445), and range factor per nine innings (5.86).

[1] In 1954, Ávila had the best season of his career despite breaking his right thumb on June 2 when Hank Bauer slid into him at second base.

[1] He won the American League batting championship and received The Sporting News Player of the Year award.

[11][12][13] The 1954 Cleveland team, loaded with talent that included Ávila, Bob Lemon, Larry Doby, and Al Rosen, won 111 games and the American League pennant.

[1] In 1957, Harry Grayson wrote a syndicated column on "The Sudden Fall of Bobby Avila", a matter that was "a national calamity in Mexico.

[20] In his first game for the Braves, he hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning for a Milwaukee victory.

In his final season as a professional baseball player, he played for the Mexico City Tigers, compiled a .333 batting average and set a Mexican League record with 124 walks.

[1] [1] As the first Mexican-born player to have success in Major League Baseball, Ávila became a national hero in Mexico.

"[5] Hall of Fame broadcaster called Ávila "a tremendous source of pride for the Mexican ballplayers.

After retiring from baseball, Ávila purchased the Veracruz Eagles and later became president of the Mexican League.

[26] In 2020, Ávila was selected as the starting second baseman on the Mexican League Historic Ideal Team by a committee of baseball journalists and historians.