Reiser
 

George wears the 3 photos of the 1941 series, now you will see something from the 1942 series, you will see that under his name it says Champion beats National League, if you want I will send you the covers of the programs. 2 - 1942

New York -Almendares 1911
 

On November 26, 1911, in a match between New York and Almendares corresponding to the American series at Almendares Park, the Almendares team won 6 x 2, manager McGraw was worried about losing the match, but his team achieved fill the bases and immediately changed his mood, but in a very good play the cacther Strike González put out the 3rd player, and at that moment the fight began, McGraw yelling and offending Strike went to homeplate, and Strike although not He understood the screaming of the manager, he realized that he was offending him and between the two they shouted at each other and when the blows were about to begin the players of both teams managed to separate them so that the blood did not reach the river, the catcher between several people they took him away from McGraw and he continued to offend, and demanded that Strike be expelled from the game, and if they did not do so he would not continue the game, it was a great discussion that lasted about an hour and the public took to the field and the p Olicia trying to put order, so that there were no more problems, the Almendares manager replaced Strike, but the NY team did not make runs in that inning and lost, the Almendares picher was Bombin Pedroso, during the fight Chisty Mathewson and others from the players helped to calm the spirits. Now you will see an image in which we see McGraw saying to Rafael Almeida "he yelled at me ... he yelled at me" look at the photo on the far right McGraw with his right hand pointing to the previous comment, the other photo is Strike with a group of people who took him away from the fight and he is observing what happens. This story continues and I have several more images, if you want and are interested, let me know.

Regino Garcia 1909 Cabañas
 

Regino Garcia (Mamelo) was one of the best hitters of the early twentieth century, he won 4 champion bat in a row from 1904-1907, and also a leader in doubles, triples, etc. they called "Regino's silver bat" and the reality is that it is the most beautiful bat I have ever seen, it has an artistic work of the first order in its silver and gold in its reliefs, when I was lucky enough to meet it many years ago, the first days I spent a few minutes recreating myself looking at it, but on the third day I discovered that it had a secret tunnel, I think that maybe to keep something or inside it and when I gave it to him in 1907 maybe I had a prize in money, now I show you the postcard of Regino from the collection Cabañas 1909.

Regino's bat has a plate with the following Description "Al Champion Bat de 1907 Regino García" in silver and embossed in gold.

They ask me by email about the events of the game in NY and Almendares the name of the main umpire, and this was the American Rigler, who tried to put order together with the police, McGraw's demands were that they remove Strike from the game because he yelled at him , but the one who started yelling and offending was McGraw, now there is an image of the conversation between McGraw and the umpire, There are more images and history but I think it is not of interest to those who see the thread, because when I asked if they wanted to see more Nobody responded, this is public by the email they sent me, if anyone is interested, let me know.

Responding to email, McGraw said that Strike had to be removed from the game, I show an image of the umpire giving the explanation to the Almendares players of McGraw's demand, José Mendez, Strike, Almeida and others appear, in the other photo you see McGraw saying that he did not follow the game not for all the Rockefeler fortune, in the other thread you will see more photos so as not to load this one.

Now I show management cards that appear in the 1948 "Helados Hatuey" HC Champions Album, # 3 Trauhman, # 2 Clark Griffin.

Now I connect to the net54, I spent 2 days with other functions and I search and I cannot find my threads but I see that they are on page 2, nobody has put any comment or question, I think they are not entering the thread, does anyone?

We're all loving everything you're showing, Roland -- it's only that we're not the only ones who think
we have nothing very insightful to add to the conversation (other than "thank you, please show more stuff!").

B7999, thanks for answering my question, what happens is that I do not know who of the members currently connect, nor do I know when I publish something if it is of interest to you, there are things that I consider interesting but perhaps not for you, a few ago days I asked if they wanted to see a photo where Jakie Robinson Joe Louis and Miñoso appear in a night club, signed another day a photo of the Lincoln Stars in Almendares Park, and no one answered, I considered that they were interesting photos and others, for that reason I think that what I publish is no longer interesting, the last thing was 2 executive cards and those cards, although they are not for players but they are super rare, perhaps the only one who has them is me, for me it is a great stimulus that those who have done it some Sometimes or those who have never done it comment something for or against but then I see that they enter the thread. Now you will see a photo of Miñoso in a bar in Havana playing "cubilete with dice inside" something curious behind where the bottles are you can see the bottles with players that one day I will show, you will see a 03 in the piggy bank, that was the price of a strong coffee in the 40s 50s and mid 60s.

Atheticos in Almendares Park 1912
 

This is a picture of the Athletics in Almendares Park 1912, they appear: Plank, Lord, Strunk, Baker and Collins.

This is a photo of the Cienfuegos team where Pedro Ramos is seen talking with the masseur, we also see Camilo Pascual and others.

Pedro Ramos and Camilo Pascual
 

Pitching Partners Pedro Ramos and Camilo Pascual. Pedro Ramos Guerra: Pitcher for the Washington Senators in 1955-1961 and 1970. 117 wins and 54 saves in 15 MLB seasons. Camilo Alberto Pascual Lus: Pitcher for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins in 1954-1966. Washington again in 1967-1969. 174 wins and 10 saves in 18 MLB seasons.

From Pascual's SABR biography: “First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League” — Charles Dryden’s memorable line was certainly one of the most fitting epigrams ever penned to capture just about any inept big-league baseball team from just about any epoch. Authors Brendan C. Boyd and Fred C. Harris went one hilarious step further when they chose to describe rail-thin Washington infielder Wayne Terwilliger as “the perfect utility man … he played with some of the worst Washington Senator teams of the early fifties, teams consisting of entire rosters of utility men.”

Of course the Boyd and Harris portrait (like the famed “first in peace” aphorism) was a shade over the top, a bit unfair, and chock full of delicious hyperbole. Yet the Washington Senators outfit of the post-World War II era was indeed one of the most lamentable also-ran ballclubs in the sport’s long history. The midcentury lackluster “Nats” of penurious owner Clark Griffith indeed perfectly fit the bill of loveable losers and altogether forgettable tail-enders from baseball’s reputed “Golden Era.”

The team Griffith assembled on a self-imposed shoestring budget during the decade immediately following the war was one that lent itself to such limiting stereotypes, never climbing out of the junior circuit second division between 1947 and 1960, peaking with four fifth-place finishes over that stretch, losing more than 90 games on nine occasions, and only once (1952) finishing fewer than 20 games off the winning pace. The ’50s-era Washington club seemingly drew attention for only a single day each year with its traditional role of hosting the American League season opener complete with the presidential first-ball tossing.

And no stereotype belittling the franchise was more exact and defining than the one involving the lengthy roster of Cuban recruits compiled through the scouting efforts of Papa Joe Cambria.3 Most were merely cup-of-coffee fill-ins who didn’t hang around very long; Oliverio Ortiz, Moín García, Angel Fleitas, and Armando Roche are four examples from the late 1940s who all lasted but part of a single season and none of whom appeared in more than 15 games. A few were curiosities like ancient rookie hurler Conrad Marrero (39 when he broke in in 1950) who was talented enough to make the 1951 American League All-Star squad and twice won in double figures. And a few more were destined to eventually blossom as league mainstays if not league stars once they shed their Washington uniforms and found more supportive surroundings. The latter group featured Camilo Pascual and Pedro Ramos, a pair of ill-starred hurlers who were among the best ever produced by their baseball-crazed homeland and yet were destined to ring up records for futility throughout their early American League years under Griffith’s club ownership.

The Washington ball club of the ’50s wasn’t exactly a true train wreck despite its string of basement finishes and overload of colorless diamond personalities. At least by decade’s end Griffith had assembled a handful of solid, capable big-leaguers. Outfielders Jim Lemon (who twice topped 30 homers, in 1959 and 1960, and led the league in triples in 1956) and Bob Allison (30 home runs and a league-best nine three-baggers in 1959) made some noise in the slugging department, even if they didn’t contribute much to pennant races.

And two players in particular stood among the most coveted by other owners around both leagues. It was widely reported in December 1959 that Cincinnati GM Gabe Paul had offered Griffith the then-startling sum of $1 million in cash ($500,000 each) for promising slugger Harmon Killebrew (league home-run pacesetter in his just-completed official rookie campaign) and crafty right-hander Camilo Pascual (fresh off his first season of double figures in the victory column). According to one source, Paul unequivocally stated that he viewed Pascual as the best pitcher in the majors, even if the then 25-year-old had posted but one winning mark in his half-dozen big-league campaigns. But Griffith apparently wasn’t cash-conscious enough to risk gutting his slowly improving franchise (whose brightening prospects would be confirmed by a jump in the standings from eighth to fifth the following summer) by accepting such a major financial windfall.

By the end of a barren 1950s decade that had produced only two non-losing seasons, Pascual was the best of the crew still residing in Griffith’s camp, although that fact didn’t become clear exactly overnight. From his rookie season of 1954 onward, Pascual was recognized around the junior circuit as a considerable natural talent who possessed one of the most devastating curveballs ever seen on the professional diamond. By only his third season (as a 22-year-old) he had worked his way into the starting rotation alongside Chuck Stobbs (15-15), Dean Stone (5-7) and Bob Wiesler (3-12). But the understaffed Senators (losers of 99 games) offered little support and Pascual, the team’s only right-handed starter, had little to show for his efforts beyond a league second-worst total of 18 losses.

Early on (before 1959), fellow Cuban Pedro Ramos seemed to have the upper hand and offer the greatest promise, winning in double figures on four occasions and outstripping Pascual in the victory column by a wide margin (between 1955 and 1958 Ramos went 43-55, Pascual (24-59). But the long haul would favor Pascual with his tricky curves, more than Ramos with his blazing heater. Ramos would enjoy a short dance with glory a decade later when he donned a Yankees jersey. But it was Pascual who would eventually blossom in new surroundings away from the nation’s capital into one of the most dominant hurlers in the junior circuit.

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Starting Really Exploring the history of Cuban Cards, Cuban players and the history of the sport in Cuba

WOW Wow and More Wow

Did not realize the amazing history that went on their.

Perhaps I am Going to have to start looking for a special card to add to my collection at some point in the future

George, you have published very interesting facts about Pedro Ramos and Camilo Pascual I have learned some things that I did not know, thank you and continue to do so. Now you will see a photo where the pithers Pedro Ramos, Raúl Sanchez and Camilo Pascual appear with the Cienfuegos team.

George, very informative piece, as always. But, I would point out for relevancy that Clark Griffith passed in October 1955, with the ownership of the Senators team passing to Calvin Griffith. Calvin was a son of Clark Griffith's wife's sister whom Clark and his wife raised as their own son after Calvin's father passed in 1922 when Calvin was 11. Hence, it was Calvin Griffith who passed on Gabe Paul's million dollar offer for Killebrew & Pascual and who moved the Senators to Minnesota, thereby forever incurring the wrath of diehard Senators fans, such as yours truly.

Val, the fact you mentioned is very interesting, thank you, I always learn with you. In 1946 the Havana Cubans emerged, George Foster with 50% and Merito Acosta and Joe Cambria with 25% each, but soon after Griffin bought from Foster, and the team became like a franchise of the Washington Senators, Cambria was the scout and was looking for players for both teams in both the professional league, the semi-pro and the amateurs, Acosta was the president of the Havana Cubans and Griffin the vice-president, Now I show a photo where the Venezuelan Davalillo appears , Cambria and Marrero.

This is Joe Cambria's only Cuban card, # 4 from the HC 1948 album and Griffin's when he was vice president of the H. Cubans

Early Cuban player in MLB
 

Herman "Germany" Schaefer and Baldomero "Merito" Acosta photograph by Paul Thompson c. 1910-15.

Baldomero P. "Merito" Acosta Fernandez. Outfielder with the Washington Senators in 1913-1916 and 1918. 111 hits and 17 stolen bases in 5 MLB seasons. His career OBP was .354. He also played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1918. Acosta played winter baseball in the Cuban League in 1913-1925. He was also a long-time manager and part-owner of the Havana Cubans. He is a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame.

From Acosta's SABR biography: One of the main attractions of the Louisville Slugger Museum is its Signature Wall showing the names and signatures that have been branded on bats for hundreds of baseball players dating back to the beginning of the practice. Among the names of plaques featured from the 1920s is Baldonaro Acosto. The incorrectly spelled name on his plaque does not indicate that at one time Baldomero “Merito” Acosta was one of the top Latin prospects in baseball.

Acosta was one of the first Cubans to make the jump to the major leagues in the United States, which he did in 1913 as a youth of 17. The little outfielder (5-feet-7 and 140 pounds) never lived up to his lofty prospect status in the majors. He hit a punchless .255 in 180 games through 1918, mainly with the Washington Senators. However, he did enjoy a successful career as a popular minor-leaguer, playing on through 1928 in the U.S. — the last 10 seasons in Louisville.

Afterwards Acosta became one of the more influential Cubans in professional baseball, and devoted years to promoting baseball relations between the two countries, ultimately receiving the highest honor for baseball players in his native land.

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George very well for the history of Merito Acosta, I will add some data, on December 2, 1918 playing for the Habana team he made a tripple play without assistance, that is, he took the 3 outs alone, playing the center, he chased a line And he caught it at the level of his shoes, with that momentum he floor 2nd base and took the out since the one who was in second did not arrive before and with that same impulse he ran to touch the first player who was ahead and although he returned speed quickly de Merito touched it before stepping on 1st base. Merito was the manager of the Marianao team in his debut in the 1922-23 championship and he was Champion of that year, he was also the owner of Marianao, he was President of the Havana Cubans, of Baldomero (Merito) Acosta there is much to write. now I show card # 1 from the H C collection, 1948,

The Vlll Convention for the 1957 World Series was held in Cuba, this is a badge of a participant sponsored by "Gillette"

Now I am going to ask a question to those who see this thread, in the hall of fame in the USA, I know that Dihigo, Mendez and Torriente belong because of their records in black leagues, I have read something that the big leagues and black leagues were unified My question is: currently which are the Cubans who belong to the Hall of Fame? I do not have that information.

A few minutes ago I connected to net54 to see if someone had done me the favor of answering my question on the 9th, when I connected and saw the thread the only thing I checked is the last post and I see that apparently no one has entered the thread, I did the He asks why I have difficulties in entering the Mlb site and it has been more than a month that I cannot see on ebay, I think that some of them know that question and maybe someone can inform me what I want to know, maybe they are not seeing the thread, as I have some months I do not know well if there is any way to see who enters to see what I publish, thank you.

The Hall of Fame has among its 312 elected members four Cuban-born players: Martín Dihigo, José Mendez, Tony Pérez, and Cristóbal Torriente. No nation other than the United States can claim as many as four Hall of Famers.

Jamie, thank you very much for the information, I knew these 4 Cuban members, but a few months ago I read something that said that there was going to be a unification between the hof major leagues and black leagues and I thought that perhaps some more Cuban had entered, for example Alejandro Oms to name a few, in 2000, I received a visit at my home from 3 people who worked at that time in Cooperstown, and they gave me the yearbook for that year, which was when Tony Pérez was inducted, thanks again for the information Tomorrow I plan to put photos, I ask you do you want to see something that may interest you?

I think you are describing the addition of the Negro league stats to unify confirmed Negro league stats to MLB historical statistics. That did occur within the last 6 months:

Https://www.si.com/.amp/mlb/2021/06/...rence-database

https://www.baseball-reference.com/n...-leagues.shtml

Roland how difficult is it to find cards in cuba if you go on a trip

Jamie, you are right, when I read about the unification of the statistics of both leagues a few months ago and I did it quickly and only some paragraph confused me and I thought it had to do with the Hof, I learned with you and I thank you, no feel free to ask me anything. Greetings.

Octavio, I'm going to answer your question, but give me more details about what you want to know, are you coming to Cuba?

In the photo we see: Paula, Valdivielso, Ramos, Pascual and Delis playing for Washington in the 50s, this original photo was taken with my phone, but you can see some of the sun that entered through the window (ventana ).

Cienfuegos pitcher Tony Diaz threw a game of 0 runs 0 hits, and in the photo we see the journalist Eladio Secades handing him a check for $ 1000 pesos awarded by Bohemia Magazine, Orestes Miñoso and Mike Fornieles appear in the photo.

Today, October 19, baseball was declared "Cultural Heritage of the Nation" something that for many years all Cubans who love baseball were waiting and at last it was achieved and we feel happy, the ceremony was held in the historic Estadio del Palmar de Junco, the oldest stadium in Cuba where it has been played since 1874.

Aguilitas, cards baseball boxing football etc. One page of Album 1ra Serie Artistica

Now I saw the game where Houston is going to discuss the World Series, Yuly Gurriel as everyone knows won the batting championship in the league, but good for the Cubans Alvarez and Yuly who helped the Astros a lot to win. Now I show you 3 balls signed for me by the players of the Cuban team in the 1st World Cup 2006, where they finished in 2nd place.

Now you will see a card from Omar Linares that I signed a few years ago, it belongs to a series that was printed with several players in the 38 National Series, and today is Linares' birthday, perhaps the best player of the last 60 years in Cuba.

Sad news, yesterday the great Cuban pitcher Andres Ayon passed away at 84 years old, he played in the Cuban professional league for Marianao 1957-59, 59-60 in Almendares, he played for the Cubans Sugars Kings, but his greatest success was in the League Mexican, in 1997 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Mexico, he also played in the United States

From the collection Almanaque Deportivo 1947 I show a block of 4 without trimming front and back: Mike Gonzalez Formental Conrado Perez and Hayworth

In 1947 Mike Gonzalez was 57 years old. Looking At that card above I wouldn’t have thought he was a day under 90

Cubanos en MLB
 

In this photo from the 1950s, you can see Cubans belonging to different MLB teams.

Jason, you're right about Mike Gonzalez now you'll see a 1948-49 card from the Caramelos El Indio collection

Jason
 

Yesterday I showed a card of Mike González from the El Indio collection, now I show Mike himself, from the Campo Alegre 1947 collection, both are quite rare.

In the photo we see the hall of fame Ray Dandridge with Luque, Fermin Guerra and El gordo Jose Rodríguez, treasurer of Marianao.

Now I show a photo of Orestes Miñoso with the Mexican comedian Tin-Tan

Cheese it! Here comes Ortega.
 

From the "Boys will be Boys" Department:

Eusebio Miguel Lopez Gonzalez "Papo" played briefly in Major League Baseball during the 1918 season. He has the distinction of being the first Cuban player to play for the Boston Red Sox.

Papo's SABR biography includes a window into (the precarious) life lived by professional Cuban baseball players (and sports-writers) in the early 20th century:

How had Gonzalez been shot? González was playing for the Habana Leones (also known as the Rojos) in the Gran Premio of 1924. Come the aftermath of the March 9, 1924 game, in which Habana had beaten Santa Clara, and per David Skinner’s translation of the March 10 article in Diario de la Marina:

“As the fans were exiting Almendares Park following the game, three gunshots rang out behind the main grandstand. This attracted the reporters, and when they arrived on the scene they saw Habana third baseman Manuel Cueto and backup catcher Eugenio Morín trying unsuccessfully to protect a teammate with a wounded hand from apprehension by several policemen led by a Sgt. Ortega. That player turned out to be Rojo second baseman Papo González, who was taken into custody by the lawmen, to the dismay of [Marina reporter] Peter, who referred to him as one of the most admired players for his modesty and gentlemanliness.”

Conte was charged with the shooting and released on $200 bail.

W. A. Phelon’s column in the March 20, 1924 issue of The Sporting News provided a fuller description of the incident and its protagonists. It is worth reprinting here in its entirety:

Here in Cuba, they sure take their baseball seriously — and in the old-time way. If a sporting writer pans a player, good night! He has to whale the athlete, hand to hand, or be disqualified forever. A few days ago, Pepe Conte — well known to all American writers — penciled a paragraph that hurt the proud spirit of one Gonzales (not the noble Miguel) second baseman of the Almendares Club. Senor Gonzales sought out Senor Conte during the eighth inning, and smote him on the nose, proboscis, or snoot, so that Senor Conte fell extremely prone.

Senor Gonzales trumpeted in triumph, but not for long. Senor Conte up rose, and with him came a dark blue automatic, and, one instant later, Senor Gonzales lay upon the reddened soil. Then all Cuba went to war; and the strife between the partisans of Senor Conte and Senor Gonzales endured, with many casualties, until the police charged from several directions and bore everybody to the hoosegow. The doctors say that Senor Gonzales will recover. The judge says Senor Conte is out on bail. And, as might be expected, in the tumult and confusion, somebody took a darn good kick at the umpire. Isn’t it a wonderful world?

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George very good what you published about Papo González, thank you, now a photo of Papo in Almendares Park.

Fight or "Hungarian Chamber", as it was called in Cuba, between umpire Amado Maestri and one of the Almendares players, we see Adolfo Luque preventing him from going to the one who offended him that is not seen in the photo, they see Fermin Guerra, Pedro Pages, Santos Amaro, Adrian Zabala and others.

Today reviewing Spalding guides in Spanish, in the 1st of 1885, I see the announcement of the gloves for Catcher of that year,

Photos Magazine published on its cover a photo of Mike González and Adolfo Luque in an exhibition that made their time as players remembered, at that time they were the managers of Habana and Almendares

Susini and Le Blanc, the great tragedy, in 1922 in a game between the Cuba and Central teams of the Sugar League, due to a bad decision by the umpire, there was a great discussion and pitcher Le Blanc, after having retired, returned again screaming and offending and Susini who had the bat in his hands, with all his strength he hit Le Blanc's skull and after a few minutes he died, Susine was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and his entire promising career in baseball was null and void. For the Cubans Stars in exhibitions in the United States, now I show a photo that I edit of the Cienfuegos amateur team from 1912, you see Le Blanc sitting, but the most interesting thing is that the one seen below is Cristobal Torriente amateurs.

Now I show a pennant from the Cuban team of the Federation championship in La Tropical, that team was directed by Napoleón Reyes.

Now I show the cover of a notebook with a musical score of in Danzón (Cuban musical genre) that was composed for Adolfo Luque, of his triumphant return from the Mlb, when he had the record of games won

Nap Reyes
 

Napoleón A. "Nap" Reyes. Third baseman/first baseman with the New York Giants in 1943-45 and 1950. 264 hits and 13 home runs in 4 MLB seasons.

Reyes is also a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 1946, he was among the players seduced by Jorge Pasquel to jump to the Mexican League. For that, he was blacklisted by MLB. He would eventually return to the New York Giants in 1950, but would only get a single plate appearance.

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George, you always publish something interesting, with the N. Reyes, Acebo card, now I show you the two Napoleon Reyes cards that were printed in the collection, thank you and keep publishing George.

Dolf Luque
 

Adolpho D. "Dolf" Luque. Pitcher for four MLB teams betwen 1914-1935. 194 wins and 29 saves in 20 MLB seasons. 2-time World Series champion -- 1919 (Cincinnati) and 1933 (New York Giants). MLB wins leader in 1923. 2-time MLB ERA leader. Member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame and one of Cuban baseball's most famous figures.

From Luque's SABR biography: Yet despite this . . . surprisingly early trickle of Cuban players northward, there was but a single Cubano who garnered even moderate attention in the US leagues during pro baseball’s initial three-quarters of a century. Racial barriers had almost everything to do with this, of course. The grandest of the early Cuban hurling and slugging phenoms were simply too black in skin pigment ever to penetrate America’s exclusively white-toned national sport during the race-driven eras of Adrian “Cap” Anson and Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

Thus just one lonely pioneer – Adolfo Luque (LOO-kay), a fireplug right-hander who debuted with Boston’s National Leaguers in 1914 and was already a veteran mound-corps mainstay with the Cincinnati club when the infamous 1919 Black Sox World Series rolled around – was left to carry the Cuban big-league banner throughout the half-century preceding World War II. Perhaps more embarrassing for Cuban baseball than the mere isolation of Luque’s big-league career was the persistent flavor of his negative image in Chicago, Boston, New York, St. Louis, and all points north. Unfortunately, this light-skinned if dark-tempered Cuban idol maintained a lasting reputation with big-league fans and ballpark scribes alike that was never quite as “fair and balanced” as most Cuban fans would have wished for back home.

Adolfo Luque today, of course, holds a rare place in Cuban baseball lore – the only Caribbean islander to earn even a modicum of big-league fame during the first half-century of modern major-league history. Between Nap Lajoie and Jackie Robinson, the few dozen Cubans who worked their way north were either brief curiosities in Organized Baseball (journeyman “coffee-tasters” like receiver Miguel Angel “Mike” González with the National League Boston and St. Louis outfits, and erratic outfielder Armando Marsans with Cincinnati) or else passing shadows who barely tasted the proverbial cup of big-league coffee (altogether forgettable names like Rafael Almeida, Angel Aragón, José Acosta, and Oscar Tuero). Numerous others – including some of the most famous and talented back home in Havana (Martin Dihigo, Cristóbal Torriente, and José Méndez head the list) – toured with black barnstorming outfits that rarely, if ever, passed before the eyes of the white baseball press.

By sharp contrast, Luque was something altogether special. His big-league credentials would by career’s end nearly approximate the numbers posted by many of his contemporaries destined for Cooperstown enshrinement once the game decided to formalize its history with a sacred hall of immortals. Twice (with the Reds in 1919 and the Giants in 1933) he experienced the pinnacle of World Series victory. As a near-200-game winner, he blazed trails that no other Latin ballplayer would approximate for decades. And back in Cuba he generated a feverish following for the big-league game and in the process carved out as well a lasting loyalty for “our beloved Reds” (“nuestros queridos rojos”) among baseball-crazy Habaneros. Yet, for all that, his career was destined to be cursed by the fate that eventually became a personal calling card for nearly all early Latin American ballplayers blessed with appropriate talent and skin tone to make their way to the baseball big-time. Among North American fans and writers Dolf Luque would always remain a familiar stereotype – a cartoon figure rather than a genuine baseball hero. At least this was the case at all stops north of Key West or Miami.

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George, very good your publication of Adolfo Luque, keep doing it, now I show rare cards from La Mallorquina, Luque, Levis and Rosell.

Now I show the most difficult card of Caramelos Felices 1945-46, # 73 of Napoleón Reyes, this copy will see that it does not have signs Above the photo, but there are several signs example: 1-WITHOUT PREMIUM, 2- ONLY TO COLLECT WITHOUT PREMIUM, 3-EL DEL PREMIUM WITH THE SIGNATURE OF THE MANAGER and the date in a quadrangular shape. There are also ads in dark blue and others in black, all are a rarity.

Martin Dihigo and Eufemio Abreu enjoying the music of Sirique's Trova, in the photo they were all baseball players.

Adolfo Luque --Tomas Gutiérrez 1924
 

Now I show Adolfo Luque's card from the Tomas Gutiérrez 1924 Collection, with the Cincinati team

Eufemio Abreu
 

Eufemio Abreu was a Cuban baseball catcher in Negro league baseball and the Cuban League. He played from 1918 to 1925 with the Cuban Stars (West), Almendares, Habana, and the Indianapolis ABCs.

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Luis Tiant (junior) today is Tiant's 81st birthday, I show a photo from 1957 with the Cuban youth team in Mexico, the photo is signed from behind by all the players.

Luis Tiant junior
 

This is a ball that Luis Tiant signed for me in the last 1960-61 Cuban Professional Championship, but it was also the only one in which Tiant played and won the rookie of the year title, a very rare ball.

As a mere spectator to this thread, i can honestly say I’ve seen as many interesting and unique cards and photos in this thread than in decades. Thank you for sharing these wonderful images.

Snake Henry
 

Here's a US-born (North Carolina), slender, left-handed first baseman who spent his entire career, like his namesake, hiding in the weeds of professional baseball. He got a "cup of coffee" with Boston in 1922-23, but could only hit .187. In the minor leagues, however, he was able to hit like few ever have. Also in Cuba, where his presence was memorialized by these cards.

Frederick Marshall "Snake" Henry was a Major League first baseman and Minor League manager. He played in a total of 29 games for the Boston Braves during the 1922 and 1923 seasons. Henry's greatest achievements in baseball were in the Minor Leagues where he compiled 3,384 career hits (fifth all time in Minor League history), 675 doubles and 200 triples (both ranking him second all time).

The "Snake" could only take so much of the frustration dished out in baseball, and in 1939, while managing in the minor leagues, he physically attacked an umpire on the field after a close play at third. The assault included a knee to the groin, shoving and much swearing. It precipitated a near riot from the fans, and a one-year suspension for Henry.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1637846024
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1637846197

Judsonjamlin, muchas gracias for you
 

Sample from the 1994 Cuban Selective collection: the unopened box with its sealed outer paper, two unopened envelopes on the sides and 4 cards below: Livan and El Duque Hernández, Euclides Rojas and Omar Linares.

Havana Park 1885
 

Now I show a drawing that appeared in Sport Magazine in 1885 where the roundabout of Havana Park is seen

What a great post! So many unique and rare items. I've always been a big fan of the 1945 & 1946 Caramelo Deportivo cards. I've picked up some of the Hall of Famers from the set over the years when I've had the chance, though I've never had the complete set or the album. I currently own these two: 1945 Caramelo Deportivo Raymond Brown, no. 30 and 1946 Caramelo Deportivo Ray Dandridge, no. 175 (mislabeled by SGC as 1945, unless I'm mistaken).
https://i.ibb.co/YhhvzSY/rbrown01.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/FhqTKBj/dandridge01.jpg

Iconspostcards
 

You are right, postcard # 175, Dandridge corresponds to the 1946-47 album, now I show you part of the page without cutting and you will see 3 Dandridge cards and one of Dihigo above.

Beautiful Uncut Sheet!



__________________

Chris
Ebay User: iconsportscards

Orestes Miñoso
 

Today November 29 is Miñoso's birthday, you will see a photo with Claro Duany, Trouppe and Miñoso

Lincoln Stars 1914
 

In 1914, the Lincoln Stars Negro Leagues team visited Cuba, they played a series at Almendares Park, I show a photo of the team with the players: Webster, Santop, Dismukes, Harvey, pitcher Green and others.

Happy (belated) Birthday, Minnie!

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Minoso_1.jpg

Fingers crossed for Sunday.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1638467897
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1638467904

Boston 1914
 

Now I show a photo of the Boston team in 1914, winning the League, before discussing the World Series.

Here's a nice signed postcard of Kid Tunero from the 1930s:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...aphed%20PC.jpg

Miñoso and O'Neill
 

Orestes Miñoso and Buck O'Neil, since yesterday members of the Hall of Fame, a good choice, Miñoso should have been included for a long time and also O'Neil, now I show from the 1947 Sports Almanac collection, their cards.

Tony Oliva
 

I show a photo of Tony Oliva, a member of the Cooperstown Hall of Fame since yesterday, I edited that photo, but this one with the bat in both hands and his full signature, congratulations Tony.

Chocolate Baguer 1930
 

Chocolate Baguer 1930, now I show some cards from the collection.

In the photo we see a group of Almendares players, including the Hall of Fame, Buck O'Neil, Luque, Marrero, Salazar, Ortiz etc, this photo is from when they won the championship and is signed by all the players, I edited the photo and you see a group.

New York Cubans 1935
 

Photo of the New York Cubans 1935 team, this photo is large, dedicated and signed by Lázaro Salazar to his parents, I edited it, Dihigo, Oms, Salazar, Luis Tiant, R. Ferrnandez and others appear.

Any information on these Baguer cards?

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20McLarnin.JPG
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...Chocolates.jpg