April 19: On this day in 1915, Cuban League star Pedro Formental was born in Baguanos, Oriente, Cuba. Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, Formental played for Cienfuegos, Habana (10 seasons) and Marianoa during 13 Cuban League seasons from 1942-55. According to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Formental ranks third in triples (47), fourth in home runs (56) and runs scored (431) and fifth in hits (746) in Cuban League history. The flashy Formental (shown in this photo that was up for auction at CubanBaseballAuctions.com in September 2010) also tied the record for most RBI in a season (57 in 1952-53) and led the league in that category with 46 in 1951-52. Twice he led the league in the following categories: runs, triples, home runs and walks. He led the league with a .336 average and 99 hits in 1949-50.

April 19: On this day in 1915, Cuban League star Pedro Formental was born in Baguanos, Oriente, Cuba.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, Formental played for Cienfuegos, Habana (10 seasons) and Marianoa during 13 Cuban League seasons from 1942-55.

According to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Formental ranks third in triples (47), fourth in home runs (56) and runs scored (431) and fifth in hits (746) in Cuban League history.

The flashy Formental (shown in this photo that was up for auction at CubanBaseballAuctions.com in September 2010) also tied the record for most RBI in a season (57 in 1952-53) and led the league in that category with 46 in 1951-52.

Twice he led the league in the following categories: runs, triples, home runs and walks. He led the league with a .336 average and 99 hits in 1949-50.

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Cover of Gente de la Semana (People of the Week) magazine, showing Marianao manager Adolfo Luque. The headline teasing to the article reads, “Lo que refuerza al Marianao,” What reinforces Marianao.

Cover of Gente de la Semana (People of the Week) magazine, showing Marianao manager Adolfo Luque.

The headline teasing to the article reads, “Lo que refuerza al Marianao,” What reinforces Marianao.

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Cover of the 1946 Esso Baseball Guide.

Cover of the 1946 Esso Baseball Guide.

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In this Corbis Images photo, Jackie Robinson reads the program for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ spring training tour in Cuba in 1947 as he sits on the steps of the Havana Military Academy, where his minor-league Montreal Royals team trained that spring.

In this Corbis Images photo, Jackie Robinson reads the program for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ spring training tour in Cuba in 1947 as he sits on the steps of the Havana Military Academy, where his minor-league Montreal Royals team trained that spring.

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A 1951-52 Cerveza Polar (Polar Beer) Cuban League schedule.

A 1951-52 Cerveza Polar (Polar Beer) Cuban League schedule.

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The 1943 La Ambrosia Cuban baseball player trading card album, which had a 222 Cuban amateur league players cards.

This is up for auction on eBay by Havana Collectibles.

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Cover of the 1956 Havana Sugar Kings program.

Cover of the 1956 Havana Sugar Kings program.

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Cuban League president Dr. Rafael Inclan throws out the first pitch on Opening Day of the 1947-48 season on Oct. 11, 1947. This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in January 2011.

Cuban League president Dr. Rafael Inclan throws out the first pitch on Opening Day of the 1947-48 season on Oct. 11, 1947.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in January 2011.

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The cover of the July 28, 1901 issue of El Petit Habana, featuring a very young New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson, who would go on to win 20 games in his first major-league season with the New York Giants. This periodical was up for auction at Legendary Auctions in March, 2012. Mathewson and the Giants would visit Cuba for what was known in Cuba as the American Series in 1911 with manager John McGraw’s club winning nine of 12 games against Habana and Almendares. Mathewson won three games in the series. His lone loss came against Almendares’ Bombin Pedroso by a 7-4 score. Adolfo Luque was the winning pitcher in Habana’s only victory, 3-2.

The cover of the July 28, 1901 issue of El Petit Habana, featuring a very young New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson, who would go on to win 20 games in his first major-league season with the New York Giants.

This periodical was up for auction at Legendary Auctions in March, 2012.

Mathewson and the Giants would visit Cuba for what was known in Cuba as the American Series in 1911 with manager John McGraw’s club winning nine of 12 games against Habana and Almendares.

Mathewson won three games in the series. His lone loss came against Almendares’ Bombin Pedroso by a 7-4 score. Adolfo Luque was the winning pitcher in Habana’s only victory, 3-2.

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Cover of the Nov. 12, 1950 edition of Carteles magazine depicting Marianao player Claro Duany.

Cover of the Nov. 12, 1950 edition of Carteles magazine depicting Marianao player Claro Duany.

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