1949 Ray Dandridge Marianao Baseball Club Payroll Check
Ray Dandridge became the first black player to play for the Millers in June of 1949. Dandridge had been signed, along with Dave Barnhill, off the roster of the New York Cubans of the Negro American League. A 16-year veteran of the Negro and Mexican Leagues, Dandridge was regarded as the greatest third baseman in the history of the Negro Leagues. In his rookie season at Minneapolis Dandridge hit .311 and had a 28-game hitting streak during the year. He also had three home runs and eight RBIs in one game in August. Dandridge’s 1950 performance in the field and at the plate (.311 batting average with 106 runs scored and 80 batted in), earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Dandridge played for the Millers from 1949-52.
This signed payroll check dates to October 6, 1949 from the Cuba Baseball League, Marianao Baseball Club. The Check was endorsed by Dandridge on the back and dates to his rookie season with the Minneapolis Millers. The Cubans sold him mid-year during the 1949 season to the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, a farm club for the major league New York Giants. After the Millers 1949 season ended, Dandridge played Winter ball in the Cuban Professional League in which this check was cut to him for his services.
Although this is not a Payroll check from the Minneapolis Baseball Club, I still see it being a significant addition to my collection to highlight Dandridge’s career.
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