Martin Dihigo Mystery Trophy

[LuckyLuke]

I have hit a dead end as it pertains to this trophy and its origins and I am hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can shed some light on this piece. Thanks in advance for all your help.

I will provide a few details on what I have been told by the person who sold it to me and how he came to have it in his possession, and then a few specifics about the trophy. The trophy was owned from a gentleman who lived in Cuba and now lives in Canada. He is a collector himself and stated that he purchased this trophy from another very well know Cuban baseball historian and collector, Rolando Sanchez. This trophy apparently came form his personal collection. I did not know who Mr. Sanchez was until I started doing research on the trophy. He is very well know in Cuba for his collection and knowledge and apparently is part of the committee that is spearheading the revival of the Cuban Baseball Hall of fame. I do have proof that Mr. Sanchez did sell items to the individual from whom I purchased the trophy, because on his last trip to Cuba, he asked Mr. Sanchez to sign and attest to this fact, because I asked for some proof of origin. I am having trouble understanding why there would be a date on the trophy of 1939 because the batting championship that Dihigo won was in 1938, in the research that I have done? Trophy also looks primitive for such an award to such a man..no?

The trophy weighs about 9 pounds. It stands about 14 inches high. The player alone stands 5 1/2 inches tall. The base is 4 3/4 inches and the middle portion(wood) is 2 1/2 wide.

Please also note that there was a ball that lay in between the player and the wooden middle portion. Also, all 3 portions are separate pieces, The player screws onto the wooden portion, and the wooden portion and base are also separate pieces and are screwed together.

Please note that I also tried reaching out to Mr. Dihigo's son in Miami and have not received a response.

[ramram]

Weren't the Cuban seasons played during the Winter and noted as, i.e. 1938/1939? Might that have anything to do with the date on the trophy possibly be 1939 instead of 1938?

Rob M.

[sam majors]

I'm wondering why every word on the trophy is written in Spanish except Base Ball? Beisbol, I don't know how to put the mark above the e. Sam Majors

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by sam majors

I'm wondering why every word on the trophy is written in Spanish except Base Ball? Beisbol, I don't know how to put the mark above the e. Sam Majors

Press ALT and 130 at the same tile to get é. Net 54 does not allow you to put in the foreign letters like ç, ä, à, ä, ö, ü, ß, ñ, ¿ etc., etc. You need to type it in Word and cut and paste to reply.

[murphusa]

overall, not a very attractive trophy which would hold its worth down. Rare? yes but not a cornerstone or important piece

[LuckyLuke]

I want to thank everyone for all their input..I am just trying to ascertain if this trophy is genuine or if it is a trophy that was produced to deceive..

[ramram]

Originally Posted by sam majors

I'm wondering why every word on the trophy is written in Spanish except Base Ball? Beisbol, I don't know how to put the mark above the e. Sam Majors

Good point. It seems, from what I've seen, that the Cubans used beisbol and base ball fairly interchangeably.

Rob M.

[LuckyLuke]

Any other valued input would be much appreciated....thanks.

[sporteq]

I saw this on eBay and my gut feeling was it was "fake" regardless of where it came from. I think your research has proven me correct. It looks like it was produced by other trophies possibly. I hope I'm wrong.

Best of luck!