Early Cuban Baseball.

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007852.jpg

Cubans baseball player, Mendez- 1909

[JACKIE42]

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Cuban baseball player, Rarpeth- 1909

[JACKIE42]

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Cubans baseball player, Sagua- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007868.jpg

Cuban baseball player, Bustamantes- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0058/s005843.jpg

Cuban Stars baseball manager Manuel Camps- 1907

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/BBCards/Latin/PRCards/CANGREJO.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.library.fordham.edu/cubanbaseball/photoimages/charles_zaldo_6x9.jpg

The Zaldo brothers, Charles, Henry, and Frederick from Havana, Cuba, were all enrolled as students at Fordham University from 1875-1878. During these three years at Fordham, they too learned and perfected the game of baseball. Upon returning to Cuba in 1878, the Zaldo brothers founded the Almendares Baseball Club, one of the three original Cuban baseball teams. In 1878, Habasa, Almandares, and Matanzas organized themselves professionally to form the "Liga General de Base Ball de la Isla de Cuba." Above is a photograph of Charles Zaldo as a student.



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Rose Hill Campus Bronx, NY 10458 (718) 817-1000, Lincoln Center Campus New York, NY 10023 (212) 636-6000, Marymount Campus Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 631-3200, © 2004 Fordham University

[JACKIE42]

http://www.library.fordham.edu/cubanbaseball/photoimages/e_bellan_2X4.jpg
Esteban Bellan was the first Cuban and the first Latin American to play major league baseball. Bellan, who after playing in the United States, became one of Cuba's first great baseball player-managers, learned how to play the game while he was a student at Fordham University from 1863-1868. During his time at Fordham, Bellan played fort he newly created Fordham Rose Hill Baseball Club. Founded in the lat 1850's, the Fordham Rose Hill's played the first ever nine-man team college baseball game in the United States against St. Francis Xavier College on November 3, 1859.

Bellan was born in Havana, Cuba in 1850. As was common among wealthy Cuban-Catholic families, Bellan and his brother were sent to the United States to study at Fordham, a Jesuit institution. In 1868, after his time at Fordham, Bellan (who went by "Steve") played for the Unions of Morrisania, an upstate New York team. In 1869 Bellan joined the Troy Haymakers for whom he played third base until 1872. In 1871 the Haymakers joined the National Association, which became the National League in 1876. The Haymakers later became the New York Giants, now the San Francisco Giants.

After his time with the Haymakers, Bellan played a year with the New York Mutuals and then returned to Cuba. On December 27, 1874 Bellan played in the first organized baseball game in Cuba. From 1878-1886 he served as both a player and manager for the recently founded Habana baseball team. He led Habana to multiple Cuban baseball championships (1878-9, 79-80, and 82-83). Though t is known that Bellan died on August 8th, 1932, little else is known about the first Latin American to play major league baseball.

Contact Library | Library FAQ | University Home
Last modified: 01/11/2005 09:45:57
Rose Hill Campus Bronx, NY 10458 (718) 817-1000, Lincoln Center Campus New York, NY 10023 (212) 636-6000, Marymount Campus Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 631-3200, © 2004 Fordham University

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/gutierrezcharleston.JPG

1923-24- Oscar Charleston

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I have to praise you again Jackie. (this starts to get boring :laugh :laugh ).

Great thread. Nice piece of history. You have done your homework once again. :clapping :clapping

[JACKIE42]

I have to praise you again Jackie. (this starts to get boring :laugh :laugh ).

Great thread. Nice piece of history. You have done your homework once again. :clapping :clapping

Its not boring to me, thank you once again.

[JACKIE42]

1923-24- Billiken

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/sitebuilder/images/Lloyd-263x338.jpg

" Pop" Lloyd- 1923

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/sitebuilder/images/TGtorrienteMarianao-219x315.jpg

1923

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/sitebuilder/images/TGtorrienteHabana-214x311.jpg

1923

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/pr49ToleterosBrownA.jpg

1947

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/pr50-51Hemsley.jpg

1950

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_309_1.jpg

October 7, 1900 issue of "El Score". The official magazine/scorecard of the Cuban Baseball League.

Cover features "M. Lopez" of the Almendarista team and "A. Baro" of the all-black San Francisco team.

[JACKIE42]

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http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_310_2.jpg

1909 Cabañas card of Heinie Beckendorf. In November of 1909 the American League pennant winning Detroit Tigers sailed to Cuba for a series of 12 games against the two local teams, Habana and Almendares.

[JACKIE42]

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Played with the Philadelphia Athletics.

[JACKIE42]

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Jose Maria Fernandez whose baseball career spanned 5 decades including over 30 years in the Negro Leagues as either a player, manager, or coach. 1923

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_313_1.jpg

Billikens are treasured by Cuban collectors in any condition, and this one is no exception. Depicting Marianao’s J Rigal (misspelled "Rgal"), 1924

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_314_1.jpg

Cuban infielder Ramon “Mike” Herrera. A light skinned Cuban, Herrera was given a shot in organized baseball and he played parts of a couple seasons with the Boston Red Sox in the mid-1920’s. He is one of a handful of players to have played in the Cuban League, Negro Leagues and Major Leagues. 1924

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_315_1.jpg

John Bischoff had a brief career as a catcher for the Red Sox and White Sox in the mid-1920’s when he hit .262 in just over 100 games. He is shown on this card as a member of the Habana team. 1923

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_317_1.jpg

long-time Negro Leaguer Frank Duncan. One of the greatest catchers in the history of the Negro Leagues. His career spanned from 1920 to 1948. Was a key member of the K.C. Monarchs dynasty of the early 1920’s and later managed them to a Championship in 1942.
Hit .336 as the starting catcher for the greatest team in the history of Cuba, the 1923-24 Santa Clara Leopardos.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_316_1.jpg

American Ed Morris as a member of the Marianao team.

Morris was an unproven commodity as a Big League pitcher at the time, but would go on to win 19 games for the 1928 Boston Red Sox,- 1925

[JACKIE42]

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Cuban and Negro League hurler Isidro Fabre- 1926

[JACKIE42]

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1943

[JACKIE42]

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1943

[JACKIE42]

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1943

[JACKIE42]

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1943

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

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1944

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_321_1.jpg

the Almendares team- 1945
Back row, left to right: Reinaldo Cordeiro, Carlos Zarza, Santos Amaro, Santiago Ulrich, Battling Siki Roque, Gilberto Torres, Witto Aloma, Beto Avila, Rogelio "Limonar" Martinez, Hector Arago.

Front row: Regino Otero, Hector Rodriguez, Ramon Bragana, Fermin Guerra, Lloyd Davenport, Bartolo Portuondo, Avelino Canizares, Chiflan Clark, Mario Diaz, Andres Fleitas

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_322_1.jpg

Habana team- 1945
Back row: Alfredo Suarez, Salvador Hernandez, Juan Montero, Terris McDuffie, Pedro "Natilla" Jimenez, Raul Navarro, Dick Sisler, Miguel Gonzalez, Julio Rojo, Fred Martin, Art Rebel, Lou Klein, Luis Navarro.

Front row: Saguita Hernandez, Rogelio Linares, Antonio Ordenana, Carlos Blanco, Yuyo Acosta, Manuel "Chino" Hidalgo, Rene Monteagudo, Lazaro Medina, Cecil Kaiser, Heberto Blanco, Pedro Formental, Cocaina Garcia.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_327_1.jpg
the Almendares team- 1949, Bill Antonello who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1953 season.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_328_1.jpg

Almendares team- 1949, Ed Wright. Wright had a 5-year Major League career.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_329_1.jpg

Addis played in the Major Leagues for 4 seasons- 1949

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_340_1.jpg

1948-49 Toleteros card of Gene Baker.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_341_1.jpg

1948-49 Toleteros card of Dan Bankhead.

[VIBaseball]

I just love the old inks and paper -- the glossy modern stuff seems hollow somehow. And the winter leagues have their own special history.

I had the good fortune to visit Cuba a couple of years ago. Even there, these old cards and photos are getting scarce. There was a big open-air market in one of Havana's main squares, for books and other collectibles. Unfortunately, a lot of the items remain exposed to the elements, especially the bright sun.

It's a marvelous collection, Jackie -- glad you can share this sight.

[moviegeekjan]

What a great treasure this is!!!!!

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_342_1.jpg

Butts teamed with Roy Campanella and Junior Gilliam on the Baltimore Elite Giants of the 1940’s but was deemed to old when the color line was broken- 1948

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_347_1.jpg

Hornsby is shown as the manager of the Ponce Leones. He spent only one season in Puerto Rico- 1950

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_345_1.jpg

1949-Toleteros, Negro Leaguer Bill Powell. This was just after Powell's best season in the Negro Leagues.

In 1948 he led the Birmingham Black Barons to the Negro American League pennant, pitching two game in the World Series. Earlier in the year he started and won the All-Star game (East-West game) pitching 3 shutout innings.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_344_1.jpg

1948-Toleteros Negro Leaguer Herb Souell, long time third baseman for the Kansas City Monarchs.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.hispaniconline.com/hh/timeline/images/portraits/1923-adolfo_luque.gif

1923 Adolfo Luque became the first Hispanic American to play in the World Series of baseball as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Also in 1923, Luque became the first Hispanic ballplayer to win the pitching championship in the professional baseball in the Unites States, with 27 wins, an earned run average of 1.93 and six shutouts.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_334_1.jpg

Lou Louden was a dependable catcher for the New York Cubans for most of the 1940’s, and was a three time all-star- 1949

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_346_1.jpg
Bob "The Rope" Boyd. In addition to his success in the Negro Leagues and in Cuba, Boyd hit over .300 several times during his 10-year Major League career . 1950

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_350_1.jpg

When Thurman made his Major League debut in 1955 he was already 38 years old and had enjoyed a long and successful career in the Negro Leagues and become a legend in Puerto Rico. In 1957, at the age of 40, he only had 190 at-bats but managed to hit 16 home runs. He was an accomplished pitcher before making to the Majors with his bat- 1950

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30559.jpg

Jose Ma Hernandez of the Cuban Stars circa 1941. Hernandez is holding a bat and standing near the bleachers of an old ballpark while wearing his full Cuban Stars uniform.

[JACKIE42]

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Minnie Minoso, in his rookie Negro league season, with 2 New York Cubans teammates and a female friend outside the team's Harlem storefront office, perhaps the only known photo of that important location. Minoso, at right, is identified on the back as "Orestes Minoso". The others are Chiflan Clark and Rodolfo Fernandez. The lady is unidentified. 1946

[JACKIE42]

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Contrary to later belief, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso was young once. In 1946, at 24, he broke in with the New York Cubans, who won the Negro National League pennant and Negro League WS. This extraordinary photo from that season shows Minoso on the right alongside a teammate, glove on his left hand, sleeves rolled up. Minoso entered the big leagues with Cleveland in 1949, though he would regularly play with the Cubans in the winter leagues.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30554.jpg

Exceedingly rare photo of a tragic hero of pre-integration baseball, Valentin Dreke, who from 1918 to 1928 was a star outfielder with the Cuban Stars and the Almendares team in the Cuban League until he died in 1929 at age 30. Dreke, who was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, is seen with 2 other Cuban players, catcher Jose Maria Fernandez, and a man identified on the back only as "M. Culto".

[JACKIE42]

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1935

[moviegeekjan]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/sitebuilder/images/d14cienfuegos-333x429.jpg
Martin Dihigo ranks among the most versatile players to ever set foot on a baseball diamond--he could pitch, play 2nd base, or the outfield equally well. He had a career pitching record of 256+ wins and 136 losses in Cuba, the Negro Leagues, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. He also won batting titles in every league he played in and won two home run titles in the Negro Leagues.

Dihigo is a Hall of Fame member in four countries: the U.S., Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba

[JACKIE42]

http://www.wolfestudio.com/galleries/negroleague/martindihigo600.jpeg

Martin Dihigo - A national treasure for Cuba, he was a gifted hitter, pitcher and
fielder. Here the handsome Cuban giant arrives in Mexico to manage the
Xalapa Chileros and is met by two meretricious fans unable to contain
their natural enthusiasm.


MARTIN (EL MAESTRO) DIHIGO
Born: May 24, 1905 in Matanzas, Cuba
Died: May 20, 1971 in Cienfuegos, Cuba
Height: 6'3 1/2", Weight: 190-225 lbs.
Throws: right, Bats: both
Position(s) p, inf, of, mgr.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: 1977

TEAMS: 1923 to 1945, Cuban Stars (East), Homestead Grays, Hilldale, Baltimore Black Sox, Darby Daisies, Stars of Cuba, Cuban X-Giants, and the New York Cubans.

A superstar in every regard. Dihigo was a superb pitcher, a brilliant hitter and played every position except catcher. For more than a quarter of a century, he was the ace of many pitching staffs, a league leader in home runs and batting average. The maestro of versatility, Dihigo could orchestrate so many unique ways to beat you.

Dihigo started his career with the barnstorming Cuban Stars of the newly organized Eastern Colored League (ECL). He started out as a first baseman under owner Alex Pompez. Another first baseman, Hall of Famer Buck Leonard claimed: "Dihigo was the best all-around baseball player I have ever seen. He could run, hit, throw, think, pitch and manage. He both knew the game and could play it. I was in the game for 23 years and I never say anyone better than he was."

Dihigo played in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba and the United States were he was better known for his offensive attack. In 1925, he hit .302, batted .421 in 1926 and .370 in 1927 for the stateside Cuban Stars.

The managerial wonder Cumberland Posey once said, "Dihigo's gifts afield have not been approached by any man - black or white." He became the only player in the world, black or white, elected to baseball Hall of Fames in three countries; the United States, Cuba and Mexico.

The following year, Dihigo joined an unknown independent team based in the steel-mining town of Homestead, PA, located just outside of Pittsburgh. The team owned by former college basketball star Cumberland Posey was called the Grays and would subsequently become one of the reigning teams of the East. Dihigo teamed with other marvelous hitters like John Beckwith and Vic Harris and splendid pitchers like Smokey Joe Williams and Sam Streeter.

In 1929, the Grays made their initial entrance into league play under the banner of the American Negro League. But Dihigo had settled in with a suburbian club of Philadelphia called the Hilldale Giants from nearby Darby. He enjoyed his new surroundings, batting a royal .386. But his lofty average did not win him a crown. The Hilldales of 1929 were loaded with speed and power. Crush Holloway led the league with 29 steals, while his teammates Judy Johnson had 23, Oscar Charleston - 22, and Dihigo and Eggie Dallard tied with 18 abductions. With Crush and Eggie, batting in the number 1-2 slots, followed by Johnson, Charleston and Dihigo, they presented a most fearsome lineup. That year, Charleston batted .396, Johnson hit .390 and Dihigo added 18 home runs, second in the league only to Chino Smith (also batting champ), who had 23 slammers.

The great catcher Biz Mackey joined the team in late June. He had been suspended for taking an unauthorized Oriental junket with the Philadelphia Royal Giants. With Mackey inserted in the heart of the lineup, and able to play either catcher or shortstop, the Hilldale club dominated league play, but failed to catch the front running Baltimore Black Sox, who featured the Million Dollar Infield of Jud Wilson (1b), Frank Warfield (2b), Dick Lundy (ss) and Oliver Marcelle (3b).

After spending two seasons with the New York Cubans (1934-35) and losing an electrifying seven game series to the powerhouse Pittsburgh Crawfords, he spent his summer seasons in the Mexican League (1937-44, 46-47, 1950). He was primarily a pitcher down south, where he blazed to glory with a 119-57 record (.676) in eleven seasons. This included a lifetime batting average of .317. His magical performances included a six-for-six effort in 1937 contest. A testament to his great overall ability, was in 1938 when, as a pitcher and fielder, he bewitched the Mexican League with 18 wins against only two loses, with a minuscule 0.90 ERA, meanwhile winning the batting crown with a majestic .387 average. In 1942, he notched another ERA title to his championship belt with a 2.53 ERA. In Mexico, he threw his first no-hitter, later notching no-hitters in Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Dihigo also enjoyed his winters in Cuba. For 24 seasons (1922-1929, 1931-1946), he hit over .300 nine times for the island teams. He wave his wooden baton for a lifetime .291 average and a phenomenal 115-60 won-lost (.657) pitching performance.

Dihigo played in the 1935 and 1945 annual summer East-West classics. Dihigo pitched and played centerfield and anything else on field, except call balls and strikes. Roy Campanella recalled, "Dihigo was one of the greatest I ever saw. He was a big man, 6 feet 4 or maybe 6-5 and about 225 pounds. He was a tremendous hitter, had great power, could hit for an average, everything."

After seeing the elder Dihigo play in the winter leagues, former major league slugger Johnny Mize with a tone of adminiration: "The greatest player I ever saw was a black man. He's in the Hall of Fame, although not a lot of people have heard of him. His name is Martin Dihigo. I played with him in Santo Domingo in winter ball in 1943. He was the manager. He was the only guy I ever saw who could play all nine positions, run and was a switch hitter. I though I was havin' a pretty good year myself down there and they were walkin' him to get to me."

In 1945, Alex Pompez's famous Latins of Manhattan, the New York Cubans struggled to win games. After a eight year absence, Dihigo returned to the states to help Pompez and fellow Latinos become competitive once again. The Cubans had a fine pitching staff of little Dave "Impo" Barnhill, Chet Brewer and Luis Tiant, Sr. Unfortunately, Brewer and Tiant were over-the-hill and down-in-the-valley. The Cubans finished dead last, which frustrated Dihigo into retirement.

Martin Dihigo, El Maestro, served as the Minister of Sports in Cuba, until his death at age 65. Dihigo, baseball's magic man is buried in Cienfuegos, Cuba. A manager's dream, an opponent's nightmare, he remains today one of few players in baseball history who could do it all. One part pitcher, one part hitter, one part superstar, equalled the total package of baseball's Mister excitement.
http://my.execpc.com/~sshivers/dihigo.html

[moviegeekjan]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/History/HallofFame/Cubahall/Baro.jpg
Bernardo Baro was an all-arond outfielder, who starred in both the Cuban Winter League and Negro Leagues during the second and third decades of the 20th century.

[JACKIE42]

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Newt Allen-Batted .313 for Almendares in 1924-25.

[JACKIE42]

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Sam Bankhead-Led Cuban League in hitting with a .366 BA in 1937-38.

[JACKIE42]

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Dave Barnhill-Had a 23-19 pitching record in 3 seasons with Marianao.

[JACKIE42]

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Lloyd " Pepper" Bassett-Played in Cuba 1946-47

[tonypug]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/BBCards/Latin/PRCards/CANGREJO.jpg
Now thats a team that would have done pretty good in any league.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/BellCoolPapa.jpg

James " Cool Papa" Bell-Hit .292 in 4 Cuban seasons. Hit 3 HRs in one game.

[tonypug]

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1935
Plenty seats reserved for white fans, now that is priceless.

[JACKIE42]

Now thats a team that would have done pretty good in any league.

Right you are, they had some fine players.

[JACKIE42]

Plenty seats reserved for white fans, now that is priceless.

The good old days weren't good for everyone, i guess segregation was not just in our country.

[moviegeekjan]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/History/HallofFame/Cubahall/CastilloJulian.JPG

A product of Cuba's sugar cane fields, right handed Julian Castillo was the best power hitter of the 20th century's first decade, routinely hitting between .294 and .408 in an era dominated by pitching when the norm was averaging between .220 - .250. In Castillo's era baseball games were played only on weekends after the field work was done. Thus, teams only used their top two pitchers, and hitters couldn't feast on the weaker staff members.

Hitting .454 in his rookie year (1901), Castillo won four batting titles over his 13-year career. He also led the league in home runs 2 times, hits 3 times, doubles 6 times, and triples 4 times. He reportedly wasn't a good fielder or baserunner, so his batting had to make up for his weaknesses--and these were in parks with outfield fences that ranged from 400-500 feet. His .310 batting average is the highest of his era.

Castillo also played in the Negro league from 1904-1912, but statistics from those times were never collected. He was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1943.

[JACKIE42]

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Joe Black-Led Cuban League in pitching (15-6) in 1951-52.

[JACKIE42]

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Bob Boyd-Batted .305 with Cienfuegos in 1954-55.

[JACKIE42]

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Chet Brewer-Pitched in the winter of 1930-31 in Cuba.

[JACKIE42]

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Dave Brown-Pitched (7-3) for the 1923-24 champion Santa Clara team.

[JACKIE42]

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Larry Brown-A great defensive catcher played in Cuba in 1926.

[JACKIE42]

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Raymond Brown-46-20 record pitching in Cuba. Pitched no-hit game in 1936.

[JACKIE42]

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Pee Wee Butts-Played in Cuba in 1947-48.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/photos/Minoso_Minnie.jpg

In this photo, Cuban Orestes "Minnie" Minoso sports his new caddy. Minoso played for the New York Cubans of the Negro National League. He became the first black player with the Chicago White Sox in 1951. Minoso remained with the White Sox through the end of the 1957 season before being traded. During this period he led the American League in stolen bases three times (1951, 1954 & 1956) and in doubles once (1957). "Minnie returned to the White Sox in 1960, when he led the league in hits, through 1961 and again in 1964. A White Sox legend, Minoso appeared in 1374 games and had an average of .297.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30552.jpg

In the late '20s, the Santa Clara team dominated the Cuban League, in no small part due to the whipsaw arm of Satchel Paige, who had yet to achieve his real fame (the same could be said of his batterymate, a young man named Josh Gibson), but was overpowering. The team also had Cuban greats Alejandro Oms and Lazaro Salazar. This classic photo of the young Paige during that stint is one of the very rarest of Paige images.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/CampanelaRoy.jpg

Roy Campanella, Hit .266 in Cuba in 1943-44.

[JACKIE42]

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Oscar Charleston, Had a .361 BA in 9 seasons. Batted .405 in 1921-22.

[JACKIE42]

James " Buster" Clarkson, Played in the Cuban League 1947

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/ClarksonBuster.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/CooperAndy.jpg

Andy Cooper, Pitched three sesons in Cuba during the 1920's.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/CroweGeorge.jpg

Played in Cuba- 1953-54

[tonypug]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/CroweGeorge.jpg

Played in Cuba- 1953-54
I remember the big year George Crowe had for the Reds in 1957, he hit over 30 homers. A few I seem to remember were hit at Ebbets Field. Crowe was one of the Reds players who were elected as starters to the 1957 all star team when Reds fans stuffed the ballot boxes. He was replaced by National League President Warren Giles with Stan Musial.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/DandridgeRay.jpg

Raymond Dandridge, Lifetime batting average of .282 in Cuba.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/GibsonJosh.jpg

Josh Gibson. Had a .353 batting average in two Cuban League seasons.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/IrvinMonte.jpg

Played in the Cuban League in 1947-48 and 1948-49.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/JethroSam.jpg

Sam Jethroe, Batted .308 in the 1947-48 Cuban League season.

[VIBaseball]

I am particularly fond of that team picture you posted, Jackie, which includes the detail you posted of George Crowe. (I understand Mr. Crowe lives as a hermit in the Adirondack woods). I like it because I've had the pleasure of meeting two of the players in it -- Valmy Thomas, later of the NY Giants, and Alfonso Gerard (not "Gerald").

Valmy, who's still with us, is just a delight to talk to. He's full of stories, which he delivers in his unusual Caribbean accent and unique sense of humor. Gerard's career was mainly in Puerto Rico, though he did see some Negro League action in the '40s. He passed away a couple of years ago, which was very hard on his old pal Valmy. Sad to say, his memory was gone when I met him. But he still looked strikingly like this photo -- I realized as I approached him, "It's Gerard!"

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/JohnsonGrant.jpg
Had a Cuban League lifetime average of .319.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/LeonardBuck.jpg

Played for Marianao in the Cuban League in 1948-49.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/LloydJohn.jpg

John Henry Lloyd, Had a .321 lifetime batting average in 12 Cuban seasons.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/MackeyBiz.jpg

Biz Mackey, Played for Almendares in 1924-25.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/MaysWilly.jpg

Signed with Almendares but injury prevented his playing.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/NewcombeDon.jpg


Don Newcombe, Played in the Cuban League in 1946-47.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/OneilBuck.jpg

Buck O'neill, Played for Almendares in the Cuban League in 1946-47.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/PaigeSatchell.jpg

Satchel Paige, Pitched in Cuba one season for Marianao.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Negrolg/NLinCuba/ThompsonHenry.jpg

Hank " Ametralladora" Thompson, Hit .320, .318, and .321 in Cuba.

[JACKIE42]

http://latinobaseball.com/mlb-hcountry.html

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Collect/Paper/Cristal.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Collect/Paper/Cuba.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/BBCards/Top20/hagesminoso.jpg

1950

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1885Hbana.JPG

Cuban League Champions
1885-86
Habana
Francisco Saavedra, Manager

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1900SanFrancisco.JPG

Cuban League Champions.

1900
San Francisco
Patricio Silverio- Manager

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1905Almendares.JPG

1905
Almendares
Juan Sanchez, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1908Almendares.JPG

1908
Almendares
Juan Sanchez, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://images.mastronet.com/images/Auction29/photographs/36648.jpg

"Like Jackie Robinson before him, Roy Campanella started his professional baseball career in the Negro Leagues, joining the Baltimore Elite Giants in 1937 at the tender age of 15. By 1942 Campanella was considered one of the top catchers in the league, however, a dispute with the Elite's team owner Tom Wilson resulted in his "jumping" to the Mexican League for the next two seasons. Offered is a spectacular and rare photo of Campanella posing together with his Monterey teammates in either 1942 or 1943. Campanella is pictured seated in the back row, second from the left".

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007866.jpg

Cubans baseball player, Sagua- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1917Orientales.JPG

1917- Armando Marsans, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/192324SantaClara.jpg

Santa Clara- 1923-24, Agustin Molina, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/192930Cienfuegos.jpg

Cienfuegos- 1929-30, Pelayo Chacon, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/194546Cienfuegos.jpg

Cienfuegos- 1945-46, Adolfo Luque, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/194647Almendares.jpg

Adolfo Luque, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/194849Almendares.jpg

Fermin Guerra, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/194950Almendares.jpg

Fermin Guerra, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/195051Habana.JPG

1950-51- Miguel A. Gonzalez, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/195152Habana.JPG

Habana- 1951-52, Miguel A. Gonzalez, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/195354Almendares.jpg

Bobby Bragan, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/195758Marianao.JPG

Mariano- 1956-58, Napoleon Reyes, Mgr.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30556.jpg

A very young Willie Mays in the uniform of Almendares of the Cuban League 1950. Although Mays signed with the Almendares, he injured his ankle and never got to play in a game."The Say Hey Kid" smiling inside the Stadium in a full Almendares uniform.

[Imapotato]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30554.jpg

Exceedingly rare photo of a tragic hero of pre-integration baseball, Valentin Dreke, who from 1918 to 1928 was a star outfielder with the Cuban Stars and the Almendares team in the Cuban League until he died in 1929 at age 30. Dreke, who was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, is seen with 2 other Cuban players, catcher Jose Maria Fernandez, and a man identified on the back only as "M. Culto".


That's Manuel 'Potato" Cueto!!!

Thanks Jackie, you always seem to find a rare photo of a guy I was looking for
Cueto, played 1914 in the FL, then 1917-1919 with the Reds...who were really big on getting Cuban players...in fact the 1st 2 Cuban players were Reds, Armando Marsans and Rafael Almeida

[JACKIE42]

That's Manuel 'Potato" Cueto!!!

Thanks Jackie, you always seem to find a rare photo of a guy I was looking for
Cueto, played 1914 in the FL, then 1917-1919 with the Reds...who were really big on getting Cuban players...in fact the 1st 2 Cuban players were Reds, Armando Marsans and Rafael Almeida

Im glad I accidentally found some one you were looking for.

[Imapotato]

This is the 4th time you've done it :)

Again thanks

[JACKIE42]

This is the 4th time you've done it :)

Again thanks

My pleasure, if i can help in the future just ask.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30558.jpg

Just call him "El Fusilero". This rare 1949 photo of Chuck Connors during his stint in the Cuban winter league predates his "Rifleman" TV days, when the Dodger farmhand was on the Almendares team stocked with players from the Negro league's New York Cubans and Dodgers like Sandy Amoros, Sam Jethroe and Al Gionfriddo.

[sandlot]

For picture of a well-known Cuban player who played one year before being jailed, see: http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/castro-1959-1969.htm

[caribeño]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30561.jpg

Contrary to later belief, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso was young once. In 1946, at 24, he broke in with the New York Cubans, who won the Negro National League pennant and Negro League WS. This extraordinary photo from that season shows Minoso on the right alongside a teammate, glove on his left hand, sleeves rolled up. Minoso entered the big leagues with Cleveland in 1949, though he would regularly play with the Cubans in the winter leagues.
Minnie's teammate is Lino Donoso a very good cuban pitcher who is in both cuban and mexican baseball Hall of Fame .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Teams/Champs/1905Almendares.JPG

1905
Almendares
Juan Sanchez, Mgr.
Four of these players made it to the Majors : Marsans , Almeida , Cabrera , and Palmero

[caribeño]

That's Manuel 'Potato" Cueto!!!

Thanks Jackie, you always seem to find a rare photo of a guy I was looking for
Cueto, played 1914 in the FL, then 1917-1919 with the Reds...who were really big on getting Cuban players...in fact the 1st 2 Cuban players were Reds, Armando Marsans and Rafael Almeida
Manuel's nickname in Cuba was Patato , not " Potato " and he was a very capable player reaching the Major Leagues .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_350_1.jpg

When Thurman made his Major League debut in 1955 he was already 38 years old and had enjoyed a long and successful career in the Negro Leagues and become a legend in Puerto Rico. In 1957, at the age of 40, he only had 190 at-bats but managed to hit 16 home runs. He was an accomplished pitcher before making to the Majors with his bat- 1950
We called him " El Múcaro " ( The Owl ) because it looks like he could play a lot better in night games .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_319_1.jpg

1943
Santiago went 3-3 with Washington in two seasons 1944 , and 1945 .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_319_3.jpg

1943
Fermín or " Mike " as he was known in the USA catched for nine years in the majors . In his native Cuba he was also a well.known Manager .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_319_4.jpg

1943
Tommy went 9-9 with the Reds in 1944 with an excellent ERA of 3.25 . He was a star in Cuba .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_320_2.jpg

1944
Adrián pitched for the New York Giants in two different seasons , 1945 and 1949 going 4-7 . Very popular in Cuba .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_320_3.jpg

1944
Rogelio was in one game for the Senators during the 1944 season . He went 1-0 .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_320_5.jpg

1944
" La Mala " Torres was a mexican player whose son Héctor made it to the majors , playing for 9 years .

[caribeño]

http://www.cubanbaseballcards.com/pr49ToleterosBrownA.jpg

1947
Willard Brown , for us , "Ese Hombre " ( That Man ) , won the puertorrican triple crown in 1947 with 27 homers in only 60 games ! Plus 86 RBI's . Incredible . He was the first african-american to hit a homer in the Majors . :clapping

[MudvilleMike]

Willard Brown , for us , "Ese Hombre " ( That Man ) , won the puertorrican triple crown in 1947 with 27 homers in only 60 games ! Plus 86 RBI's . Incredible . He was the first african-american to hit a homer in the Majors . :clapping

I just wanted to thank you for all the comments.

[MudvilleMike]

http://www.cubanbaseballauctions.com/images_items/Item_316_1.jpg

American Ed Morris as a member of the Marianao team.

Morris was an unproven commodity as a Big League pitcher at the time, but would go on to win 19 games for the 1928 Boston Red Sox,- 1925

Thanks JACKIE42 for the all the great pics and the info. I might have to buy an old Cuban baseball card now!

[JACKIE42]

http://www.huntauctions.com/imgaug04/1323.jpg

1949-50 Cuban Almendares Championship ring. Polished metal ring having blue enamel field with Almendares "A" and scorpion logo on front. Presented to player Rafael Villa Cabrera as a member of the team.

[538280]

Thanks, Jackie! I have been looking everywhere for a picture of Christobal Torriente, and I haven't been able to find it. Where did you find that picture anyway?

[JACKIE42]

Thanks, Jackie! I have been looking everywhere for a picture of Christobal Torriente, and I haven't been able to find it. Where did you find that picture anyway?

Tell me what the post number is, i post so many photo without looking at it i can't remember where i found them, even then i may not remember.

[538280]

Jackie,

Your Torriente photo is post #14 on this "Early Cuban Baseball" thread

By the way, you know who Jim Tracy is, right?

[JACKIE42]

Jackie,

Your Torriente photo is post #14 on this "Early Cuban Baseball" thread

By the way, you know who Jim Tracy is, right?

I got the photo at some Cuban site, but i can't remember where. No i don't know who Jim Tracy is.

[nemesisfx]

I have been coming back to this thread for several days while I've been researching autograph signatures on a vintage baseball I purchased in Cuba a couple years back. I have actually figured out a couple names on my ball just from reading the notes on the photos posted by Jackie. These are just Fantastic!

I was wondering if anyone out there might happen to have a team photo of the 1951-52 Cuban winter league teams, particularly the Almendares team (or any of the players) ... After hours upon hours of research, and some help in another thread on this site, I've been able to determine that my ball most likely came from a 1951-52 Cuban winter league game - and the roster for the Almendares team that year[found at: http://www.cubanball.com/Images/Collect/Books/Programs/Prg5152/prg5152.html ]

...I almost have all the signatures on my ball identified.

As I just posted in another forum on this site, the 1951-52 Almendares team (including Tommy Lasorda) is almost 100% represented - but I just can't figure out what game it might have been - and also, there are a few discrepancies that I note below. As well, there are extra names - if I can figure some of these out, I may be able to figure out the teams that played.

If anyone can help - or if there are any photos of the teams that year - I would be very grateful!

Here is a list of the other players who I have determined (or almost determined) autographed this ball:

Note: the ones in bold are 100% recognizable- the underlined names are ones that I am only 90%-99% sure on since some of the signatures are not fully discernible:

Tommy Lasorda
Fermin "Mike" Guerra
Conrado Marrero
Willy Miranda
Hector Rodriguez
Agapito Mayor - I believe he has signed it "A Mayor" - 95% sure it's him.
Roberto Ortiz
Walter "Wally" Post
Bob Alexander
Marv Rickert
Roldopho Fernandez
Fred Martin
Walt Moryn
Clemente Carrera - 90% sure - the last name is definitely "Carrera" - just can't read the first name.
Frank Carswell
Hampton Coleman - if he signed it "Hamp Coleman" then this is him. 99% sure.
Antonio Napoles - appears to be him - if he signed in "Tony Napoles"
Charles Grant - can't be 100% sure, as the signature that appears is "Don Grant" - but, Charles Grant was on the roster for that season, so perhaps it was a nickname. The last name in this signature is definitely "Grant."
Juan Perez - if he signed it "J Perez" then this is him.
Reinaldo Cordeiro - 99% sure - but the last name is difficult to read, so I can't say 100%
Andres Fleitas - 99% sure - but the last name is difficult to read, so I can't say 100%. Plus, he played for the Marianao team that year (catcher).
Francisco Campos - 99% sure - but the first name is difficult to read, so I can't say 100%
"first initial ?" Lopez - since Vincente Lopez played on the Almendares team that year, I think this is most likely a "V." However, it could also be a "J". There was a Jorge Lopez that played in the league the following years - so it could be him. Based on the Almendares team roster though, it is most likely Vincent.
"?" Fernandez - This looks like "Juan Fernandez" - but there was no such player at that time. There was, however, a Jose Maria Fernandez that coached that season in 1951-52 for the Marianao Tigers. Oddly, there is another place on the ball where a name that looks like "Fernandez" appears with a first name begining with "J" - so either one could be Jose Maria Fernandez. Not sure what the 2nd Fernandez would be.

The only thing that I cannot explain is how Bob Alexander ended up on the ball since I could not find evidence that he'd been in the league that year (he did, however, play the following year during the 1952-53 season for the Habana team - so perhaps he was just at that game, or he did play in 1951-52, but his name doesn't appear on the roster). I also can't find record of Clemente Carerra for '51-'52, but he coached the Almendares team in '52-'53, so he could very likely have been at the 1951-52 game.

All of the players listed above were on the roster for the Almendares team in 1951-52, with the exception of Bob Alexander & Clemente Carerra (mentioned above), and then Jose Maria Fernandez and Andres Fleitas, who played for the Marianao Tigersthat season. Therefore, this could possibly have been a game between those two teams. As Jose Fernandez was coach and Andres Fleitas the catcher for the Marianao team, they were very possibly around when the young boy approached the team to have the ball signed.

The only players from that 1951-52 Almendares team that don't appaear to be on the ball anywhere are Mario Diaz and Martiniano Garay.

I have some pictures attached. I am working on getting some better shots.

Just wondering if anyone has a clue as to what game this could be (noting that Bob Alexander and Clemente Carrerra, who did not play for the Almendares that year, are on it).

Too, I still have about 6 names that I cannot identify.

Thanks!

[baseballbikeski]

Wow, those are some great pictures there from the old Cuban leagues. I just found this page and will be checking it out as much as possible. But what I want to know now is, are there any reliable stats from the Cuban leagues, old or recent? I'm a stat head.

[JACKIE42]

Wow, those are some great pictures there from the old Cuban leagues. I just found this page and will be checking it out as much as possible. But what I want to know now is, are there any reliable stats from the Cuban leagues, old or recent? I'm a stat head.

I would think the stats, are about equally reliable, as the Negro Leagues. Take a look at this.

http://www.cubanball.com/leaders.html

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32659.jpg

"Satchel Paige pitching for Los Brujos de Guayama in 1939, the first such action shot we've ever seen of Paige with Guayama and a very rare find given it's from a critical juncture of his career. It was also the first year of existence for the Puerto Rican Winter League and Paige led the first wave of Negro leaguers to play on the balmy island, not as a lark but to prove he could still pitch, as he was coming off an arm injury in the Mexican League and experts predicted he was finished. Instead, he would sign with the Kansas City Monarchs that spring and pitch them to 4 straight pennants".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33678.jpg

1939

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32368.jpg
"Photo of the 1939-40 Criollos de Guayama team of the Puerto Rican Winter League, taken in the 2nd year of the league's existence and capturing 18 faces from a disenfranchised generation of Lationo and black players -- before white players began to play under the palms as well, chiefly to make a few extra bucks. For these men of color, it was always serious business for these guys (well, almost always business, as Satchel Paige could attest, between rounds of cervezas and senoritas). Paige, in fact, was a monster on the mound going 19-3 with a 1.93 ERA in leading Los Criollos to its 2nd straight title -- as well as coming back home with a Puerto Rican woman he called his "wife" (though he already had one of those in Pittsburgh). Paige is the draw of the photo, in full form unfurling a pitch, but some of the others are also important historical figures -- including William Perkins, Paige's personal catcher and a great Negro Leaguer in his own right, and a pair of Puerto Rican baseball HOFers, Perucho "The Bull" Cepeda (whose "Baby Bull" Orlando would become a big league HOFer) and Dominican-born Tetelo Vargas, who also played with the New York Cubans. Photo reads "Team Guayama-Campeon Mundial (World Champions) 1939-40"

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32628.jpg

1939 image of Satchel Paige and his favorite backstop Bill Perkins. Satch trusted Perk -- who wore a chest protector with the words "Thou shalt not steal!" -- so much with his endless repertoire of pitches that he took him wherever he went, from Birmingham to the Pittsburgh Crawfords (where he had to sit behind Josh Gibson) to Santo Domingo in the Dominican League. In '39, the two made the scene in the Puerto Rican Winter League with the Guayama club. The photo, dated "6/39" , shows Paige with a ball in his right hand and Perkins in a sweaty, dirty uniform. Sad postscript: In 1948, when Paige made it to the bigs, Perkins was shot and killed while in a restaurant.

[caribeño]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32628.jpg

1939 image of Satchel Paige and his favorite backstop Bill Perkins. Satch trusted Perk -- who wore a chest protector with the words "Thou shalt not steal!" -- so much with his endless repertoire of pitches that he took him wherever he went, from Birmingham to the Pittsburgh Crawfords (where he had to sit behind Josh Gibson) to Santo Domingo in the Dominican League. In '39, the two made the scene in the Puerto Rican Winter League with the Guayama club. The photo, dated "6/39" , shows Paige with a ball in his right hand and Perkins in a sweaty, dirty uniform. Sad postscript: In 1948, when Paige made it to the bigs, Perkins was shot and killed while in a restaurant.
Gosh , Jackie , these are incredible photos of the incredible Satch ! He surely made an indelible mark in our country . Tons of stories are still being told about Satch not only in Guayama but all over our island . Gracias , muchas gracias . :rolleyes:

[JACKIE42]

Gosh , Jackie , these are incredible photos of the incredible Satch ! He surely made an indelible mark in our country . Tons of stories are still being told about Satch not only in Guayama but all over our island . Gracias , muchas gracias . :rolleyes:

De nada, Im glad you enjoyed them. Check out "The Early Negro teams & players" " thread i think there are some more photo's of Satch there.

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19806

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33957c.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33957a.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33957b.jpg

"Touring Cuban teams were the vehicle that allowed American blacks, posing as "Latins," to play pro ball in their own country. Returning the favor, black players often made the trip south to play winter ball, and as this remarkable aggregation of 5 rare team photos show, Cuban teams were stocked with top-shelf Negro leaguers. Includes incredible 1926 and 1927 team shots of Havana and Staro, respectively, include early Negro leaguers Clint Thomas and Eddie Douglas; 1930 Almendares has Mack Eggelston; 1939 Santa Clara has Roy Partlow, Sam Bankhead and Harry Williams; 1944-45 Cinefuegos has no less than Martin Dihigo -- not only the greatest Cuban player but arguably the greatest player, period, of all time".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32625.jpg

"Photo montage of the 52-53 Los Indios (Indians) de Mayaguez club of the Puerto Rican Winter League is noteworthy for the familiar smiling mug of 25-year-old Tommy Lasorda, who pitched for them between seasons in the Dodger bush leagues. However, he is misidentified as "Freese" under his head shot, with "La Sorda" under the image of 3B George Freese to his left. Actually, poor Tommy might have been happy to switch idenditites, having set a league record that season walking 19 hitters in a twinbill".

[caribeño]

De nada, Im glad you enjoyed them. Check out "The Early Negro teams & players" " thread i think there are some more photo's of Satch there.

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=19806
¿ De nada ? Humm , you sound like hispano . :lookitup

[JACKIE42]

¿ De nada ? Humm , you sound like hispano . :lookitup

No just showing off, that I know a few words.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33960b.jpg

'Image of the 1887-88 Habana team (incredibly early for Caribbean baseball) shows center shot of the officers of the club quite dapper in their suits. Proudly draped across them is a wonderful 1886-87 “Championship” flag handcolored in red. Included in their midst is the Father of Cuban Baseball, Emilio Sabourin".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32367.jpg

"While the mustachioed Roy Campanella stands rigidly in this terrific photo taken during the 1944-45 Puerto Rican Winter League season, his grinning Santurce Cangrejeros teammate, pitcher Terris McDuffie, is easy like Sunday morning. "The Great McDuffie" had reason to smile, having been lovers with Newark Eagles owner Effa Manley (who when they fell out traded him for 2 broken bats and a pair of sliding pads) and becoming the highest-paid player in the East with his showmanship. Campy's preacher and teacher, the link between the 2 men nearly extended to the Dodgers. Before Campy was signed by Branch Rickey, McDuffie was given a Dodger tryout in 1945, but Rickey said no".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32398a.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32398b.jpg

[tonypug]

A translation, please.

[JACKIE42]

A translation, please.

Maybe caribeño, can help you out.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33294a.jpg

Willie Mays taking a cut in his Santurce uniform 1954-55.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33294d.jpg

the '42-43 Havana club, postcard featuring the Mayaguez team.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33294b.jpg

Roberto Clemente, accepting a trophy in Pittsburgh from a visiting delegation of baseball officials from his native country. 1956

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33943.jpg

1929,Cienfuegos Postcard with Willie Wells & Cool Papa Bell.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32624.jpg

Not so early, Cuban baseball.


While much of the 1966-67 Ponce Leones (Lions) roster was composed of mediocre Yankees -- no surprise, the manager was ex-Yankee reliever Luis "Tite" Arroyo -- the face that leaps out from this team montage is that of HOFer Steve Carlton, then 21 and with 3 big league games under his belt but about to burgeon with the Cards. Among 33 "baseballs" with player head shots around a lion in the center, Lefty is 2nd from the top, looking barely old enough to shave. Others include Roy White, Dooley Womack, Nelson Briles, Angel Mangual, Roger Repoz.

[tonypug]

Jackie, have you come across any pictures of the last organized baseball team to play in Cuba. I believe they were a farm team of the Cincinnatti Reds?

[caribeño]

Maybe caribeño, can help you out.
Sure thing . The first posted letter which was written after the 2nd one , is from the Puertorrican Proffesional Baseball League to the club owners stating that players Jethroe and Campanella asked for their release from the San Juan Senators team , and that the team approved it .
The 2nd letter is from the League's Secretary to the Senators owner stating that Jethroe's contract was accepted by the League and that the owner should send a copy of the contract to the player .
Thanks for the turn at bat . :waving

[caribeño]

I would think the stats, are about equally reliable, as the Negro Leagues. Take a look at this.

http://www.cubanball.com/leaders.html

The stats from the former Cuban Pro League are very reliable and there are some books ( old and new ones ) about it . Check out at McFarland Books for author Roberto González Echevarría who has wrote 2-3 books about the history of cuban ball . Also author Angel Torres is a well known authority . The best web page you will ever find is Cubanball ( the one Jackie refers to ) and its master César López is also an authority . There is a book in spanish by Gabino Delgado and Severo Nieto with all the statistics of Cuba's Pro League from 1878 to 1955 .

[JACKIE42]

Jackie, have you come across any pictures of the last organized baseball team to play in Cuba. I believe they were a farm team of the Cincinnatti Reds?

No, Tony i hav'nt, if you knew there name, Im sure you would have mentioned it, I'll keep searching.

[JACKIE42]

Sure thing . The first posted letter which was written after the 2nd one , is from the Puertorrican Proffesional Baseball League to the club owners stating that players Jethroe and Campanella asked for their release from the San Juan Senators team , and that the team approved it .
The 2nd letter is from the League's Secretary to the Senators owner stating that Jethroe's contract was accepted by the League and that the owner should send a copy of the contract to the player .
Thanks for the turn at bat . :waving

Its my pleasure to give someone a turn at bat, who usually hits home runs.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33959a.jpg

Willie Mays as a member of Almendares team.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33959b.jpg

Raymond Brown image on a city street in full Cuban Stars Negro League uniform.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33296.jpg

Adolfo Luque was the first Cuban star in the majors, and Cuba honored him by issuing a medal. This is the original metal die from which the medallion was stamped. Beside the intricate engraving of a pitcher following through, the Spanish inscription translates: "To Adolfo Luque: Champion Pitcher of the National League of Baseball of the United States." "Dolf" Luque won 194 games in 20 major league seasons and had an incredible year with the Cincinnati Reds in 1923, going 27-8 with a 1.93 ERA.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31915a.jpg

Since 1949 (except for 1961-70 when Cuba pulled out its state-run team) the Campeones de Caribe, or Caribbean World Series, has determined the Latin Kings of "beisbol." Puerto Rico won the distinction in '75 when the Vaqueros de Bayamon gave the country its 2nd straight title, following up Criollos de Cagua's championship of the year before. This stunning 10K gold ring signifying the victor, presented to a member of the winners whose name is engraved on the inner band, boasts a deep ruby stone at the center surrounded by "Bayamon Baseball Club" around the corona. "1975 Vaqueros" is on ione shank along with an engraved horse and rider, and "Campeones del Caribe"

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32662a.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32662b.jpg

The legacy and demise of Hiram Bithorn is perfectly symbolized by these 2 photos of the man who paved the way for Puerto Ricans to play in the big leagues. The 1st native to make it to the bigs, Bithorn pitched 4 seasons with the Cubs and White Sox in the '40s, going 34-31 before arm trouble finished him, though he kept playing for the San Juan Senadores, whose uniform he wears in both shots, a photo of him unfurling a pitch with a high leg kick and a photo of the '53-'54 "City Champs" in which he looks god-like in a photo dwarfing the others. In the latter, Bithorn is smiling but with dark storm clouds looming behind him, prefacing his violent end a year later when he was shot to death by a cop in Mexico, the circumstances of which are still murky. The San Juan Stadium was later renamed for him.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32405a.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32405b.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32405c.jpg

Photos showing hero worship -- and racial segregation -- alive and well in the Puerto Rican League of the 1940s.. A black player seemingly floats on a sea of glory as he is handed from one fan to another. A group of light-skinned spectators enjoy the festivities quietly. Another shows blacks reaching over a fence to perhaps exchange tickets.

[tonypug]

No, Tony i hav'nt, if you knew there name, Im sure you would have mentioned it, I'll keep searching.
Jackie I'm not sure, but I think they were the Havana Sugar kings. They moved mid season around 59 or 60 to Jersey City.

[JACKIE42]

JULY 25, 1959
Fidel Castro supporters, enjoying raucous "July 26th Celebration" in Havana's El Gran Estadio del Cerro (El Cerro Stadium), halt International League contest between Rochester Red Wings and Havana Sugar Kings with several random gunshots from grandstands. Rochester third bas coach Frank Verdi and Havana shortstop Leo Cárdenas both suffer minor flesh wounds during infamous incident, causing Red Wings manager Cot Deal to pull his team from field and retreat to downtown hotel. International League officials promptly cancel remainder of Sugar Kings' homestand and will eventually relocate franchise to Jersey City during middle of 1960 season.


JULY 13, 1960
Havana Sugar Kings franchise is shifted by International League to new home as Jersey City Reds, ending professional organized baseball in Cuba. Ballclub is playing in Miami at time and all 11 native Cuban players (Raúl Sánchez, Orlando Peña, Andrés Ayón, Mile Cuéllar, Borrego Alvarez, Leo Cárdenas, Joaquín Azcue, Daniel Morejón, Cookie Rojas, Orlando Tanner, and Enrique Izquierdo) decide to remain with team in its new home. Manager Tony Castaños returns to Cuba and is replaced by fellow Cuban Nap Reyes.

[JACKIE42]

IN THE 1940s, when the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, started thinking about bringing a black player to the major leagues, he initially considered the star Cuban shortstop of the day, Silvio Garc� According to Edel Casas, the noted Cuban baseball historian, Rickey met with Garc�in Havana in 1945 to explore the possibility of bringing the excellent right-handed hitter to the Dodgers.

In the course of the interview, Rickey asked Garc� "What would you do if a white American slapped your face?" Garc�s response was simple and sincere. "I kill him," he said. Garc�never did make it to the majors, but by the early 1950s a dozen Cubans were playing in the big leagues. This wave included Sandy Amoros and Sandy Consuegra, but the best of the lot was probably Saturnino Orestes Arrieta Armas ("Minnie") Minoso.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.juanperez.com/baseball/cubans2.jpg

CUBAN SUGAR KINGS, 1959, lousy photo but the best i could find for now.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33060.jpg

1939-40 Puerto Rican Winter League -- including Caguas, with an unassuming looking Josh Gibson 2nd from right in the back row.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33059.jpg

Quincy "Big Train" Trouppe, one of the most peripatetic ballplayers ever, played nonstop, summer and winter, for about 2 dozen different teams over a 23-year span -- 17 of which he was an All-Star, 7 as a player-manager. The '42 Puerto Rican Winter League, in the uniform of Los Criollos de Guayama/Caguas (whom he played for throughout the decade and managed the '47-48 championship team).

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32633.jpg

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32845.jpg

1905 Santurce Invincibles.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32631.jpg

You may not notice Hammerin' Hank in this team shot of Los Criollos (Creoles) de Caguas, champs of the 1953-54 Puerto Rican Winter League and Caribbean World Series, but then few fans did back then when the young Aaron played with them before his rookie season with the Braves. Aaron, in the middle of the 2nd row, took a backseat to big-leaguers Mickey Owen, Jungle Jim Rivera, Charlie Neal, and Felix Mantilla and homegrown heroes Roberto Vargas and Tetelo Vargas.

[tonypug]

Jackie, thank you for the information on the Sugar Kings. I knew I could count on you.

[JACKIE42]

Jackie, thank you for the information on the Sugar Kings. I knew I could count on you.

Your welcome, Tony.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33963a.jpg

The finest known specimen of the only baseball card of the greatest Negro League player who ever lived if not the greatest player period, Josh Gibson. This Joshua Gibson 1950-51 Toleteros has been graded an SGC 88 NM-MT 8. Having been graded and authenticated by the venerable Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), it is near flawless, extremely well centered, with sharp corners and edges. Less than a dozen of these cards are known to exist. The card has been dubbed "The Black Wagner" because of similarities in both condition and scarcity to the finest graded specimen of the fabled T206 Honus Wagner card, which has sold for $1.265 million at auction.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33963jg.jpg

Jan. 7, 1940

[tonypug]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33963a.jpg

The finest known specimen of the only baseball card of the greatest Negro League player who ever lived if not the greatest player period, Josh Gibson. This Joshua Gibson 1950-51 Toleteros has been graded an SGC 88 NM-MT 8. Having been graded and authenticated by the venerable Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), it is near flawless, extremely well centered, with sharp corners and edges. Less than a dozen of these cards are known to exist. The card has been dubbed "The Black Wagner" because of similarities in both condition and scarcity to the finest graded specimen of the fabled T206 Honus Wagner card, which has sold for $1.265 million at auction.
Does anyone know the value of this card. I'd like to know.

[JACKIE42]

Does anyone know the value of this card. I'd like to know.

One of Gibson's cards soled for $ 42,000, this one may go for much more, Ill let you know when I find out.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33950c.jpg

Rare 1909 Cabanas Cuban Cigarette Cards (8)
There are eight cards here with Palomino, Royer , Prats, Cabanas, Marsans Almeida, Cabrera, Garcia.

[tonypug]

One of Gibson's cards soled for $ 42,000, this one may go for much more, Ill let you know when I find out.
Now thats what I call a fast response, thanks Jackie.

[JACKIE42]

Now thats what I call a fast response, thanks Jackie.

Your welcome, Tony.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33297.jpg

Tomas Gutierrez, a Cuban tobacco company that specialized in Cuban League baseball cards, expanded northward to offer this early 1920s set of American Major League stars. . It is most notably represented by the Yankees hurlers Bob Shawkey and Samuel P. Jones, and Cincinnati's Carl Mays.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/33061.jpg

Agreement for Lasorda to play for the Magyaguez club of the Puerto Rican League during the winter season of 1955-56.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32629.jpg


Roberto Clemente 1952-53 Santurce Crabs ROOKIE Team Montage
" Perhaps the earliest image of an 18-year-old Clemente in organized baseball is this photo montage of the 1952-53 Santurce Cangrejeros (Crabs), his 1st pro team. Clemente, who squeezed a rubber ball every day while in high school to build up his throwing arm, signed with the Crabs for $60 a month, a $5,000 bonus and a new glove. He proceeded to hit .356 that season, becoming a national sensation, and would sign a big league contract a year later.montage shows Roberto along the bottom, with teammates that include Puerto Rican players, a few big leaguers and Negro league stars Bus Clarkson, Dick Seay and Bob Thurman. Illustration of team "crab" in center wearing a "City Champ" crown".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32655.jpg

1954 Roberto Clemente Program
"The incredible Clemente cover issue of "Revista del Beisbol", from December 20, 1954 features a shot of Roberto in his Santurce uniform and wearing one of the widest smiles ever captured by a camera. In later years, that smile seemed to get a little smaller each day, and a more troubled Clemente emerged than the happy-go-lucky youngster for whom stardom and tragedy was fated".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31849a.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31849b.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31849c.jpg

1960s Roberto Clemente San Juan Photos.
Photos feature the Puerto Rican League's prodigal son Roberto Clemente with the San Juan team. Includes: coming into home after hitting homer, San Juan and Cangrejeros team photos with Olmo,

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31859.jpg
"Photo's are another reminder of the god-like aura Roberto had in his homeland, and the pride he had working with kids trying to follow in his immense footsteps. From pictures taken on November 30, 1960 -- a month after his Pirates beat the mighty Yankees in the World Series -- Roberto is shown at a series of instructional "Clinicas de Bateo" -- or batting clinics -- for kids, something he ritualistically did every winter until his death. That selflessness and national pride are part of the legacy he left behind".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31848.jpg

1960s

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32361a.jpg

Roberto Clemente Silkscreen by Luis German Cajiga
"One of the most compelling and talented artistic works of Roberto is this 1974 limited edition silkscreen of an original by famous Puerto Rican artist Luis German Cajiga".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32370b.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32370a.jpg
http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/32370c.jpg

Roberto Clemente and his favorite barbers in San Juan are seen getting in their cuts. In this offbeat look at Clemente during Winter League play.

[tonypug]

And to think, Clemente could have been in the Ebbets Field outfield with Duke Snider and Carl Furillo in the 50's.

[JACKIE42]

And to think, Clemente could have been in the Ebbets Field outfield with Duke Snider and Carl Furillo in the 50's.

We would have benefited more if he were older, from 55-57, he didn't do much for the Pirates. If Brooklyn, would have signed him say in 1952, when he was 18, and he made the team by 1953, with, Duke, and Carl to guide him maybe he could have, solved our left field problems, for at least 5 years. Another what if, for us to think about.

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_505/popups/31916.jpg
"Thurman Munson already was a Yankee, this photo of him as a San Juan Senator in the 1969-70 Puerto Rican League shows the future captain was not about to idle in winter. Munson, holding his catcher's mitt while putting away his batting helmet, parlayed his off-season preparation into a .302 batting average in his second year with the Yankees. He and San Juan teammate Roberto Clemente were linked later in tragedy -- both dying in plane crashes. Obtained from a charming lady friend of Thurman who snapped this".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/guerra.JPG

Fermin Guerra

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/agapito.JPG

Agapito Mayor

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/rodriguez.JPG

Héctor Rodríguez

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/canizares.JPG

Avelino Cañizares

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/miranda.JPG

Willy Miranda

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/al.JPG

Al Gionfrido

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/pride.JPG

Adolfo Luque

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/mike.JPG

Miguel González

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/danridge.JPG

Ray Dandridge

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/bobby.JPG

Roberto Estalella

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/crespo.JPG

Alejandro Crespo

[JACKIE42]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/reyes.JPG

Napoleón Reyes

[Kelli]

Wow! What a great thread. Thank you so much for posting the pictures. :)

[tonypug]

http://www.cubanbeisbol.com/bobby.JPG

Roberto Estalella
Any relation to Bobby Estalella?

[VIBaseball]

I like pretty much all your good works for this little community, Jackie -- but a couple of the recent additions to this thread have special appeal for me because they're shots I'd never seen before of Virgin Islanders (my pet topic).

I've got to send the 1952-53 Santurce team picture to Valmy Thomas. He'll love seeing himself and his late old friend Alfonso Gerard. He might have had this picture once, but he lost everything in a hurricane some years back -- so these memories mean extra. There's also a small mystery I've been trying to solve about two players named Walter James. Valmy can tell me which is which.

Then there's the 1966-67 Ponce picture with Elmo Plaskett, cup-of-coffee man in the majors, also from St. Croix. Too bad the Pirates were keeping Al McBean out of winter ball by then. Maybe some earlier ones will turn up.

[VIBaseball]

Tony, if you're referring to the major-leaguer who played from 1996 to 2002, the man in the picture is his grandfather, who played for the Senators in the '30s. Maybe the latter is the one you're thinking of.

[caribeño]

Any relation to Bobby Estalella?
Roberto a very good hitter was Bobby's grandfather . A native cuban Roberto was a very popular player during his ML years .

[JACKIE42]

Wow! What a great thread. Thank you so much for posting the pictures. :)

Your welcome, it's my pleasure.

[JACKIE42]

http://images.mastronet.com/images/Auction30/thumbnails/37139.jpg

"Cuban Negro League star Jose Mendez, nicknamed "The Black Diamond," was one of the greatest pitchers of his era. Playing both in his Cuban homeland and in the United States, Mendez earned a reputation as one of the game's top hurlers between the years 1908 and 1914. Testament to his ability on the mound over that span were exhibition wins over both Christy Mathewson and Eddie Plank. Described by John McGraw as a cross between Walter Johnson and Grover Alexander, Mendez's speed on the mound was not only overpowering, but in one freak occurrence, lethal. A teammate was accidently killed by Mendez when one of the pitcher's "heaters" struck him in the chest during batting practice. An arm injury eventually curtailed his stellar pitching career, but not his playing career. Moving to the infield, he later took on the role of player/manager with the Kansas City Monarchs in the newly formed Negro National League in 1920. While there Mendez also rediscovered his pitching form, leading the club to three pennants and a victory in the first Negro National League World Series in 1924. Unfortunately, Mendez died prematurely in 1928 at the age of 41 as a result of bronchopneumonia".

[VIBaseball]

You inspired me to do a little digging of my own, Jackie. This man, Alejandro "Alex" Pompez, has been mentioned a couple of times on this forum. You cited him in your post on Martín Dihigo. But I hadn't seen a picture of him before.

I think he'd be a heckuva subject for a full biography -- aside from his ownership of the New York Cubans and scouting for the Giants, his involvement in numbers rackets sounds highly colorful. He gets a reasonable size sketch in Riley's Encylopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues and assorted mentions in González Echeverría's "Pride of Havana." He lived a long life, passing away in 1974.

[JACKIE42]

Alex Pompez, deserves to be in Cooperstown


By Paschal Andrés


The past 3 of May were fulfilled 115 years of the natalicio in Havana de Alexander Pompez.
Alex Pompez was one of the great personalities of the baseball of Black Leagues; in fact, manual the referring ones to that baseball present/display to him like manager, owner, industralist, and Vice-president of National Liga of Black Baseball.

Pompez initiated its race within the baseball of Black Leagues like proprietor, to manager and industralist of the Cubans Stars club that had initiated its activities during the era of the "dead ball" and that was relocalizado in the Coast This of the United States during the twenties.

After Black Liga of the East was established, the influence of Alex Pompez as owner helped to negotiate the first Black World-wide Series of Ligas in 1924.

Alex Pompez was to the front of the Cubans Stars during period 1922-29. In 1930 it announced the disintegration of that club and, on 1935, it founded the New York Cubans, club with which more is recognized in its function of successful owner.

The figure of Martín Dihigo contributed much to the success of the clubs of Pompez in the black baseball, since "the inmortal" played in the Cubans Stars in bells 23-27 and 1930 and the New York Cubans 35-36 and 1945.

Under the trusteeship of Pompez the New York Cubans participated, representing the Black East of Ligas, in three World-wide Series: the one of 1935, that lost before the powerful Pittsburgh Crawfords four games by three; the one of 1941, before another powerful club, the Homestead Grays, before those who three games to one and the one of 1947 fell, which they gained four to three against Cleveland Buckeyes.

Fernandez went to Jose M. to whom was called on the glory to direct in the game land to edition 1947 of the New York Cubans.

This elenco counted in its rows with Noble Rafael, Orestes Miñoso, "Chiquitín" Goatherd, Silvio Garci'a, "Tiny beast" Pedroso, Clear Duany, Homero Ariosa, Dave Barnhill, Donoso Linen and Luis Tiant, among others.

Once disappeared the racial barrier, for 1948, Pompez began to work with the management of the Giants of New York of National Liga and the New York Cubans the Cubans Giants of the system of branches of the Giants and the own Pompez in "scout" of the club of Great Leagues became.

In its function of "scout", the company/signature of many black players is thanked for to Pompez, between whom they are possible to be mentioned to Willy Mays, Trimming Cepeda, Marichal and Felipe Alou.

It was Pompez that it avoided that Willy Mays could play for the Scorpions of the Almendares of Cuban Liga when, of visit in Havana, notified to the management of the Giants that the young one outfielder sepia had a small injury in a leg and, with the justification of the call-up for military service, and they retired it without making debut.

What if is incredible he is that this man Never! Have been proposed for Cooperstown, like the great industralist who was in the independent baseball, nor through the own black it has never passed that idea, that she is not preposterous.

And that consists that Alexander Pompez, the Cuban who died the 15 of March of 1974 in New York, comprised of the Special Committee of Black Leagues that he had like objective to choose to the first black peloteros for Cooperstown.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.diariolasamericas.com/martes/Deportes_index.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAlejandro%2B%2522Alex%2522%2BPompez,% 26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26sa%3DG





-

[VIBaseball]

Those translation engine results are amusing, but they get the message across. I didn't see the original Spanish-language article when I was hunting for more info on Pompez. However, I noted that historian Adrian Burgos -- who's right up there in his knowledge of Cuban ball -- has also written a number of articles on the man. I dropped Adrian a line saying I hope he pulls all his info together into a book. I for one would read it with interest.

[JACKIE42]

1900— The Cuban X Giants – a team actually composed of African Americans, not true Cubans – travel to Cuba to participate in an international series

1908— Cuba is now under U.S. rule, and the Cincinnati Reds travel there to play in a four-team tournament that also includes the Brooklyn Royal Giants, a powerful Negro League team. Cuban pitcher José Méndez becomes a hero by hurling three consecutive shutouts against the Reds. Cincinnati is the first major league team to visit Cuba, but many others quickly follow suit, including the Giants, Phillies, Athletics, and Tigers.



1911— The Cincinnati Reds sign Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans, two
Cuban players who had impressed them on their visit to the island. After some controversy, the pair are deemed light-skinned enough for white baseball, and other fair-complected Cubans, including Adolfo Luque, soon follow them into the majors. Talented Cuban players with darker skin, including José Méndez, sign with Negro League teams instead.



1943— African-American shortstop Willie Wells leaves the Newark Eagles for a second tour of duty in Mexico. “I’ve found freedom and democracy here, something I never found in the United States,” he says. “Here in Mexico, I am a man. I can go as far in baseball as I am capable of going.” Wells becomes a hero in Mexico, where fans affectionately nickname him “El Diablo.”


1946— Jorge Pasquel, millionaire owner of the Veracruz Azules (Blues), tries to bring major league status to the Mexican League by offering unheard-of sums of money to American stars to play south of the border. Commissioner Happy Chandler threatens lifetime banishment for any player who jumps to Mexico, and most major stars, including Stan Musial and Ted Williams, stay put. However, 22 major league players, including Sal Maglie of the Giants and Max Lanier and Mickey Owen of the Cardinals, risk their careers to play in Mexico. Pasquel was more successful in recruiting African-American players, who were already banned from the major leagues anyway. Negro League stars who accept his offer include Ray Dandridge, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige.

1947— In June, the Cuban League signs a working agreement with the National Association. This provides the league with American financial backing, but also gradually transforms it from a highly competitive independent league into a subordinate loop of interest solely for player development. Experienced major league players are now banned from the league, as are Cubans, Mexicans, and Americans, both black and white, who had played in Pasquel’s Mexican League. These banned players form a rival league of their own, but it lasts only one season.

1949— After a lawsuit by ex-New York Giant Danny Gardella, Major League Baseball, fearing a legal challenge to the reserve clause, agrees to reinstate Gardella and the other players who had jumped to the Mexican League.

1949— On April 19, Orestes Miñoso of the Cleveland Indians, a Cuban, becomes the first black Latino to play major league baseball. He collects 1,963 hits in his career and becomes the second major leaguer to play in five different decades.



1959— On July 24, shortly after his revolutionaries take over the Cuban government, Fidel Castro pitches two innings in a military exhibition game. (Rumors of his baseball prowess as a youth, however, are entirely false.) In 1961, anti-Castro politics cause the International League to move the Cuban Sugar Kings to Jersey City. The Cuban professional league suspends play the same year, but reappears in 1962 as an amateur circuit.

[caribeño]

Alex Pompez, deserves to be in Cooperstown


By Paschal Andrés


The past 3 of May were fulfilled 115 years of the natalicio in Havana de Alexander Pompez.
Alex Pompez was one of the great personalities of the baseball of Black Leagues; in fact, manual the referring ones to that baseball present/display to him like manager, owner, industralist, and Vice-president of National Liga of Black Baseball.

Pompez initiated its race within the baseball of Black Leagues like proprietor, to manager and industralist of the Cubans Stars club that had initiated its activities during the era of the "dead ball" and that was relocalizado in the Coast This of the United States during the twenties.

After Black Liga of the East was established, the influence of Alex Pompez as owner helped to negotiate the first Black World-wide Series of Ligas in 1924.

Alex Pompez was to the front of the Cubans Stars during period 1922-29. In 1930 it announced the disintegration of that club and, on 1935, it founded the New York Cubans, club with which more is recognized in its function of successful owner.

The figure of Martín Dihigo contributed much to the success of the clubs of Pompez in the black baseball, since "the inmortal" played in the Cubans Stars in bells 23-27 and 1930 and the New York Cubans 35-36 and 1945.

Under the trusteeship of Pompez the New York Cubans participated, representing the Black East of Ligas, in three World-wide Series: the one of 1935, that lost before the powerful Pittsburgh Crawfords four games by three; the one of 1941, before another powerful club, the Homestead Grays, before those who three games to one and the one of 1947 fell, which they gained four to three against Cleveland Buckeyes.

Fernandez went to Jose M. to whom was called on the glory to direct in the game land to edition 1947 of the New York Cubans.

This elenco counted in its rows with Noble Rafael, Orestes Miñoso, "Chiquitín" Goatherd, Silvio Garci'a, "Tiny beast" Pedroso, Clear Duany, Homero Ariosa, Dave Barnhill, Donoso Linen and Luis Tiant, among others.

Once disappeared the racial barrier, for 1948, Pompez began to work with the management of the Giants of New York of National Liga and the New York Cubans the Cubans Giants of the system of branches of the Giants and the own Pompez in "scout" of the club of Great Leagues became.

In its function of "scout", the company/signature of many black players is thanked for to Pompez, between whom they are possible to be mentioned to Willy Mays, Trimming Cepeda, Marichal and Felipe Alou.

It was Pompez that it avoided that Willy Mays could play for the Scorpions of the Almendares of Cuban Liga when, of visit in Havana, notified to the management of the Giants that the young one outfielder sepia had a small injury in a leg and, with the justification of the call-up for military service, and they retired it without making debut.

What if is incredible he is that this man Never! Have been proposed for Cooperstown, like the great industralist who was in the independent baseball, nor through the own black it has never passed that idea, that she is not preposterous.

And that consists that Alexander Pompez, the Cuban who died the 15 of March of 1974 in New York, comprised of the Special Committee of Black Leagues that he had like objective to choose to the first black peloteros for Cooperstown.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.diariolasamericas.com/martes/Deportes_index.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAlejandro%2B%2522Alex%2522%2BPompez,% 26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26sa%3DG





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Jackie if you don't mind , sometime in the future , i would like to make a
" few " corrections to the translation machine . If i were to call the machine a ballplayer it certainly would never play a single game in any league . Well , perhaps in the Pampers league . I wonder what my idol Orlando Cepeda would think about being called " trimming " . :noidea

[JACKIE42]

Jackie if you don't mind , sometime in the future , i would like to make a
" few " corrections to the translation machine . If i were to call the machine a ballplayer it certainly would never play a single game in any league . Well , perhaps in the Pampers league . I wonder what my idol Orlando Cepeda would think about being called " trimming " . :noidea


caribeño, please feel free to make any changes, in any of my posts that you feel are not correct. I trust your judgment.

[Bill Burgess]

I am seeking some details on 3 Cuban-born ballplayers.

Javier "Blue"Perez - born 1905, played 1933-45

Isidro "Papi" Fabri - born May 15, 1895. Played 1918-34.

Jose Maria Fernandez, Sr. - born July 6, 1896, died 1971. Played 1916-50.

If anyone can help me out with further birth/death dates for these guys, I would be so grateful. Thanks.

Bill Burgess

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30559.jpg

"Jose Ma Hernandez of the Cuban Stars circa 1941. Hernandez is holding a bat and standing near the bleachers of an old ballpark while wearing his full Cuban Stars uniform".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30555.jpg

Minnie Minoso, in his rookie Negro league season, with 2 New York Cubans teammates and a female friend outside the team's Harlem storefront office, perhaps the only known photo of that important location. Minoso, at right, is identified on the back as "Orestes Minoso". The others are Chiflan Clark and Rodolfo Fernandez. The lady is unidentified. 1946

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30561.jpg

"Contrary to later belief, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso was young once. In 1946, at 24, he broke in with the New York Cubans, who won the Negro National League pennant and Negro League WS. This extraordinary photo from that season shows Minoso on the right alongside a teammate, glove on his left hand, sleeves rolled up. Minoso entered the big leagues with Cleveland in 1949, though he would regularly play with the Cubans in the winter leagues".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/30554.jpg

"Exceedingly rare photo of a tragic hero of pre-integration baseball, Valentin Dreke, who from 1918 to 1928 was a star outfielder with the Cuban Stars and the Almendares team in the Cuban League until he died in 1929 at age 30. Dreke, who was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, is seen with 2 other Cuban players, catcher Jose Maria Fernandez, and a man identified on the back only as "M. Culto".

[JACKIE42]

http://www.lelands.com/catalog_images_412/popups/28148.jpg

1935

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007852.jpg

Cuban player Mendez- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007867.jpg

Rarpeth- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007866.jpg

Sagua- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0078/s007854.jpg

Bustamantes- 1909

[JACKIE42]

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0058/s005843.jpg

Cuban Stars baseball manager Manuel Camps- 1907

[JACKIE42]

http://www.vintageball.com/files/1908_New_Britain.jpg

THE NEW BRITAIN PERFECTOS



"The card above truly is unique, capturing some of the biggest Cuban baseball stars of the day playing for The New Britain Connecticut Minor League Class B team, which was nicknamed the Perfectos in their honor. Pictured in this amazing postcard are Armando Marsans, Rafael Almeida, Alfredo Cabrera and Luis Padron who had formerly played together in Cuba for the Almendares team. All would go on to play in the Major Leagues, with Marsans and Almeida signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 1911. Interestingly, in 1910 Almeida and Marsans failed to report with Cabrera for another Connecticut baseball season. This 1908 New Britain postcard is a true gem for fans of Cuban baseball stars".

[caribeño]

http://www.vintageball.com/files/1908_New_Britain.jpg

THE NEW BRITAIN PERFECTOS



"The card above truly is unique, capturing some of the biggest Cuban baseball stars of the day playing for The New Britain Connecticut Minor League Class B team, which was nicknamed the Perfectos in their honor. Pictured in this amazing postcard are Armando Marsans, Rafael Almeida, Alfredo Cabrera and Luis Padron who had formerly played together in Cuba for the Almendares team. All would go on to play in the Major Leagues, with Marsans and Almeida signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 1911. Interestingly, in 1910 Almeida and Marsans failed to report with Cabrera for another Connecticut baseball season. This 1908 New Britain postcard is a true gem for fans of Cuban baseball stars".
Marsans and Almeida were the fourth and fifth caribeños in the Majors
( 1911 ) with " El Pájaro " Cabrera ( " The Bird " ) playing one game for the Cardinals in 1913 . Padrón was considered " too dark " to play in the Majors by the owners , so they kept complying with their " Gentlemen's Agreement " .
The only good thing is that history keeps the recording .