Cuba Béisbol

U.S. fleet championship baseball game between the U.S.S....

Mon, 28 May 2012 22:12:37 -0400

U.S. fleet championship baseball game between the U.S.S. Louisiana and U.S.S. Arkansas at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in March 1915.

Almendares Park and the Habana team that played the New York...

Sun, 27 May 2012 22:48:49 -0400

Almendares Park and the Habana team that played the New York Giants during a 1911 visit to Cuba.

These are two of the images from a Dec. 17, 1911 New York Times “Picture Section” that is up for auction at CubanBaseballAuctions.

The Habana team featured many Negro leaguers such as Pop Lloyd, Grant “Home Run” Johnson and Luis Padron.

Cover of the 1957 Beisbolito International League...

Sat, 26 May 2012 23:35:00 -0400

Cover of the 1957 Beisbolito International League program.

The figure on the cover plays off El Gran Stadium’s distinctive light towers.

A 1949-50 postcard featuring Almendares shortstop Willy Miranda,...

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:42:20 -0400

A 1949-50 postcard featuring Almendares shortstop Willy Miranda, who was born on this day (May 24) in 1926.

This was up for auction in September 2010 at CubanBaseballAuctions.

Avelino “Belito” Alvarez with the Negro...

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:34:03 -0400

Avelino “Belito” Alvarez with the Negro leagues’ Cuban Stars.

Alvarez played with Habana, Marianao, Almendares and Cienfuegos during eight seasons in the Cuban League from 1934-44.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in December 2010.

A 1946-47 Fotos card featuring Hall of Famer Martin...

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:11:58 -0400

A 1946-47 Fotos card featuring Hall of Famer Martin Dihigo.

Dihigo, who died on this day (May 20) in 1971, is considered one of the most versatile players in baseball history.

The only player enshrined in the Halls of Fame in Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and the United State, Dihigo pitched, played almost every position on the field and was a successful manager.

Habana’s Pedro Formental is congratulated at home plate...

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:52:51 -0400

Habana’s Pedro Formental is congratulated at home plate after hitting a home run in the 1951 Caribbean Series.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in October 2010.

Members of the International League’s Havana Sugar Kings...

Sat, 12 May 2012 23:42:38 -0400

Members of the International League’s Havana Sugar Kings in the dugout of El Gran Stadium.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in November 2010.

A 1923-1924 Tomas Gutierrez Cuban League album. This album,...

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:48:00 -0400

A 1923-1924 Tomas Gutierrez Cuban League album.

This album, one copy of which was up for auction at Hake’s Americana & Collectibles in March 2012, was available by turning in a complete set of 85 cards.

Among the key players in this album are: Jose Mendez, Oscar Charleston, Cristobal Torriente, John Henry “Pop” Lloyd, Alejandro Oms, Armando Marsans and Eustaquio “Bombin” Pedroso.

1949-50 Alerta premium of Cienfuegos catcher Rafael Noble,...

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:59:36 -0400

1949-50 Alerta premium of Cienfuegos catcher Rafael Noble, who died on this day (May 9) in 1998 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, Noble is the all-time home run leader in Cuban League history with 71 and ranks fourth in career RBI with 378, according to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961. He led the league with 10 home runs in 1953-54.

Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher, left, and team president...

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:08:55 -0400

Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher, left, and team president Branch Rickey behind the batting cage during spring training at El Gran Stadium in Havana, Cuba, on Feb. 22, 1947.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in August 2010.

League president Dr. Arturo Bengochea tosses out the first ball...

Sat, 05 May 2012 07:43:08 -0400

League president Dr. Arturo Bengochea tosses out the first ball to officially open the Cuban League on Oct. 7, 1955.

Behind him are Cuban major-league players. From left to right: Lino Dinoso (Pirates), Willie Miranda (Orioles), Juan Delis (Senators), Joe Valdivielso (Senators), Mike Fornieles (White Sox), Minnie Minoso (White Sox), Roman Mejias (Pirates), Sandalio Consuegra (White Sox), and Pedro Ramos and Camilo Pascual (Senators).

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

Almendares player is out at first during this 1951 Cuban League...

Thu, 03 May 2012 22:59:20 -0400

Almendares player is out at first during this 1951 Cuban League game against Habana captured for Life magazine in February 1951 by photographer Mark Kauffman.

Lorenzo “Chiquitin” Cabrera with the Negro...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:26:25 -0400

Lorenzo “Chiquitin” Cabrera with the Negro leagues’ New York Cubans.

Cabrera was born on his day (April 30) in 1930.

Cover of Cuban magazine Carteles.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:42:17 -0400

Cover of Cuban magazine Carteles.

Cover of the 1950-51 Cuban League schedule produced by...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:50:45 -0400

Cover of the 1950-51 Cuban League schedule produced by Cerveza Polar, Polar Beer.

An Associated Press video interview on YouTube with Cuban...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:26:00 -0400

An Associated Press video interview on YouTube with Cuban baseball legend Conrado Marrero, who turned 101 on Wednesday.

Happy 101st birthday, Cuban baseball legend Conrado...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:02:00 -0400

Happy 101st birthday, Cuban baseball legend Conrado “Connie” Marrero.

The oldest living former major-league baseball player still lives in Havana, Cuba, where he has to use a wheelchair, is hard of hearing and can no longer see.

But he still has a sharp memory.

A 1952-53 Almendares souvenir card made Crusellas y Cia that...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:20:00 -0400

A 1952-53 Almendares souvenir card made Crusellas y Cia that displays the team motto: “El gue le gane Al Almendares se muere,” Whoever defeats Almendares dies.

That season, however, Habana won the Cuban League title, while Almendares finished tied for second, six game back.

This was up for auction on eBay by Havana Collectibiles.

The 1956 Havana Sugar Kings program Beisbolito, featuring...

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:13:00 -0400

The 1956 Havana Sugar Kings program Beisbolito, featuring Panamanian player Pat Scantlebury on the cover.

This was up for auction on eBay at earlier this month.

Scantlebury played two seasons went 10-6 with a 1.86 ERA.