Senators "Cuban Connection"

[Aa3rt]

Those of you who may be following the "This Date In Washington Senators History" thread have probably noted the frequently mentioned "Cuban Connection".

The Senators all-time roster is filled with players of Cuban origin who experienced varying degrees of success while donning the uniform of both the original and expansion Washington Senators.

Here's an article from ESPN that discusses Washington's Cuban Connection and Joe Cambria, the Italian-born scout who signed many Cuban players for the Senators:

The Cuban Senators by Matt Welch (http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0311/1349361.html)

[Brian McKenna]

I think the bad feelings among Cuban sportsmen with Cambria was inevitable. He was mining the nuggets and shipping them overseas. The Cuban leagues couldn't compete with the income potential Cambria and others symbolized. The point then becomes what is more important? The individual players Cambia helped or others. Personally, if I was a poor boy growing up in Cuba playing baseball and Papa Joe came around to talk to me, I'd thank my lucky stars.

[welch]

Story from Shirley Povich, who knew everything (Povich was a sportswriter for the Washington Post from 1924 until he died in 1999.):

Cambria tried out a young Cuban pitcher. Evaluation? Good curve-ball, but not a major-league fastball...go to law school, kid.

The kid? Fidel Castro.

Cambria knew everyone.

[Steve Jeltz]

Becquer is incorrect on one count. Becquer stated that Pedro Ramos and Camilo Pascual could pitch a "thousand innings" in winter ball and never miss their turn in the Senator rotation in the summer. Pascual was plagued with arm miseries early in his career due to pitching practically year round, as was Ramos. It got to the point that Calvin Griffith demanded, I believe it was Ramos, that he stop playing winter ball. Ramos asked for a pay raise in exchange, which Calvin denied. So, Ramos continued to pitch in the winter.

[VIBaseball]

Story from Shirley Povich, who knew everything (Povich was a sportswriter for the Washington Post from 1924 until he died in 1999.):

Cambria tried out a young Cuban pitcher. Evaluation? Good curve-ball, but not a major-league fastball...go to law school, kid.

The kid? Fidel Castro.

Cambria knew everyone.

Not that old wives' tale again. Debunking here:

http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/castro.asp

[Brian McKenna]

Castro was a big baseball fan and he and Cambria were well acquainted. During the Cuban government's period of transition, Castro guaranteed Cambria's safety and declared that all were to show respect to the scout. At times soldiers were sent ot protect Cambia.

I've read that Cambria had a file on Castro's pitching ability. Though that's not to say it warranted any special consideration.