Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame

This article is about the Cuban professional baseball hall of fame. For baseball hall of fame organizations in other countries, see Baseball Hall of Fame (disambiguation).
Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame
Established1939
LocationEstadio Latinoamericano, Havana
Number of inductees78

The Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame (Salón de la Fama del Béisbol Cubano) is a hall of fame that honors eminent baseball players from Cuban baseball. Established in 1939 to honor players, managers, and umpires in the pre-revolution Cuban League, by 1961 it had honored 68 players, managers, and umpires whose names are shown on a marble plaque at Havana's Estadio Latinoamericano.[1] After the revolution, however, the Hall of Fame languished for more than 50 years, seldom mentioned or acknowledged and with no new inductees. Following a campaign led by Cuban filmmaker Ian Padrón, a meeting was held on November 7–8, 2014 to reformulate the Hall of Fame and to propose a museum in which it would be housed. The reformulated Hall recognized the original 68 members, and a jury of 25 people selected 10 new inductees—five from the pre-revolution period and five representing for the first time the post-revolution Cuban National Series. The planned site for the new museum is in the José Antonio Echeverría Workers' Social Club (also known as the Vedado Tennis Club).[2]

History

Pre-revolution (1939–1961)

The Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame was established by the DGND (Dirección General Nacional de Deportes), a government agency supervising sports activities in Cuba.[3] The hall was inaugurated on July 26, 1939—about six weeks after the June 12 dedication and opening of the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown—by placing a bronze plaque at Havana's La Tropical Stadium.[4] The first ten inductees were selected by former and current baseball writers and the DGND's baseball advisers (asesores de baseball). The inaugural class included 19th-century Cuban stars (Antonio María García, Valentín González, Adolfo Luján, and Carlos Royer), black players who had achieved success in the U.S. Negro leagues (Luis Bustamante, José de la Caridad Méndez, Gervasio González, and Cristóbal Torriente), and white players who had played Major League Baseball (Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans).[5] Méndez and Torriente, along with later inductee Martín Dihigo, subsequently were also recognized by the U.S. Hall of Fame.[6]

The bronze plaque was subsequently replaced by a marble plaque that hangs on a wall "in a poorly lit corner" of Havana's Estadio Latinoamericano.[7] Before listing the names of the inductees, the introductory section of the plaque reads,

Cuban Professional Baseball Hall of Fame
List of players that have been selected as
BASEBALL IMMORTALS
And have deserved this just recognition for their distinguished work
maintaining an undying memory of what they were in this
sport[7]

While all of the inductees were recognized as baseball players, in several cases their distinction reflected, at least in part, accomplishments achieved after their playing careers. For example, Emilio Sabourín, Agustín Molina, and José Rodríguez were long-time managers who won championships, as also were more celebrated players such as Dihigo, Miguel Angel González, Adolfo Luque, and Marsans.[8] Francisco A. Poyo and Eustaquio Gutiérrez served as umpires.[9] Carlos Zaldo, Eugenio Jiménez, and Molina entered the business side of baseball as stadium developer, promoter, and league administrator.[10] Wenceslao Gálvez wrote a history of baseball in Cuba, published in 1889, which according to Roberto González Echevarría "may very well be the first history of the game ever written anywhere".[11]

Other inductees achieved distinction outside of baseball. For example, Juan Antiga, who played in the Cuban League for just two seasons prior to completing medical school, became a notable intellectual, homeopath, government official, and diplomat, serving as ambassador to Switzerland and delegate to the League of Nations.[12] The type of post-playing distinction most often recognized by the hall, however, is military service, especially during the Cuban War of Independence that was fought from 1895 to 1898. Alfredo Arango, Eduardo Machado, and Carlos Maciá served as officers in the Cuban revolutionary army and Sabourín, Juan Manuel Pastoriza, and Ricardo Cabaleiro died in the conflict.[13]

In the 20th century, opportunities to play in the United States became increasingly important to Cuban players. Some of the earliest opportunities to play in the U.S. came in nearby Key West beginning about 1890. Key West had an independent baseball league with considerable participation by Cuban emigrants, and Cuban League players were recruited to play there during the off season. Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Molina and Poyo began their baseball careers in Key West before moving on to the Cuban League.[14] In 1899, a Cuban all-star team, the All Cubans, undertook their first barnstorming tour of the United States. The team, which was racially integrated (reflecting the racial integration of the Cuban League) played against professional and semi-professional teams, white and black, until 1905.[15]

However, the U.S. color line soon affected Cuban players. By 1904, white Cubans, such as Juan Violá, were playing in the minor leagues, and in 1911 Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans broke into the majors with the Cincinnati Reds.[16] Meanwhile, Cubans with darker complexions played in the Negro leagues for teams such as the Cuban Stars (West), the Cuban Stars (East), and the New York Cubans. Some Cuban players moved on to success with U.S. teams, such as José Méndez with the Kansas City Monarchs and Cristóbal Torriente with the Chicago American Giants.[17]

Exile in Florida (1962–1986, 1997–1998)

After the closing of the Cuban League in 1961, inductions to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame ceased in Havana for more than five decades. The players who had migrated to the United States, however, formed an organization, the Federation of Professional Cuban Baseball Players in Exile (Federación de Peloteros Profesionales Cubanos en el Exilio) which held elections in Miami to add new members to the hall.[18] These additional members are not universally recognized; they are not recognized in Cuba,[19] nor are they included in lists of Hall of Fame inductees shown in reference books by historians Peter Bjarkman and Jorge Figueredo.[20] The Miami elections continued in three phases—1962–1986, 1997–1998, and 2007—ultimately declaring more than 200 additional individuals as inductees.[21]

Official reformulation (2014–present)

In August 2014, Cuban filmmaker and baseball fan Ian Padrón brought together a group of 12 prominent fans to create a group called Enthusiasts for the Refoundation of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame. The group developed a set of rules to govern a reformulated hall which would recognize the 68 original members, provide for regular elections of additional professional and amateur players from both the pre-revolution and post-revolution periods, and would help arrange for the hall to be part of a Cuban baseball museum. With support from the National Institute of Sport, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER), a meeting of sports commentators was held on November 7–8, 2014. The meeting approved the draft rules, selected a jury of 25 people to select the inductees, and planned for subsequent annual elections. Four players and an umpire were honored from the pre-revolution era—Conrado (Connie) Marrero, Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso, Camilo Pascual, Esteban (Steve) Bellán, and umpire Amado Maestri. Five players were also honored the post-revolution era, the first players from that period to be recognized—Omar Linares, Orestes Kindelán, Antonio Muñoz, Luis Casanova, and Braudilio Vinent.[2]

Inductees

Year Name Primary
position[22]		 Cuban Career Foreign Career Ref
1939 Rafael Almeida 3B 1904–1925 Major League Baseball [23]
1939 Luis (Anguilla) Bustamante SS 1901–1912 Negro leagues [24]
1939 Antonio María (El Inglés) García 1B 1882–1905 All Cubans [25]
1939 Gervasio González C 1902–1920 Negro leagues [26]
1939 Valentín (Sirique) González 2B 1890–1911 Minor leagues [27]
1939 Adolfo Luján P 1882–1891 — [28]
1939 Armando Marsans OF 1905–1928 Major League Baseball [29]
1939 José de la Caridad Méndez P 1908–1927 Negro leagues [30]
1939 Carlos Royer P 1892–1911 All Cubans [31]
1939 Cristóbal Torriente OF 1913–1927 Negro leagues [32]
1940 Alfredo Arcaño OF 1888–1909 All Cubans [33]
1940 José (Joseíto) Muñoz P 1900–1914 Negro leagues [34]
1941 Regino (Mamelo) García C 1902–1913 Negro leagues [35]
1941 Emilio Sabourín 2B 1878–1887 — [36]
1942 Alfredo (Pájaro) Cabrera SS 1901–1920 Major League Baseball [37]
1942 Agustín (Tinti) Molina C 1894–1909 Key West [38]
1943 Julián Castillo 1B 1901–1913 Negro leagues [39]
1943 Heliodoro Hidalgo OF 1901–1916 Negro leagues [40]
1943 Luis (Mulo) Padrón OF 1900–1919 Minor leagues [41]
1944 Carlos Maciá P 1885–1891 — [42]
1944 Alejandro Oms OF 1922–1946 Negro leagues [43]
1945 Bernardo Baró OF 1915–1929 Negro leagues [44]
1945 Román Calzadilla 3B 1889–1902 — [45]
1945 Valentín Dreke OF 1919–1928 Negro leagues [46]
1945 Carlos (Chino) Morán 3B 1900–1916 Negro leagues [47]
1945 Juan Manuel Pastoriza P 1889–1895 — [48]
1946 Ricardo Cabaleiro OF 1890–1895 — [49]
1946 Wenceslao Gálvez SS 1885–1887 — [50]
1946 Francisco A. Poyo C 1898–1900 Key West [51]
1946 Arturo Valdés P 1892–1902 — [48]
1946 Rogelio Valdés SS 1900–1914 Negro leagues [52]
1948 Juan Antiga ? 1890–1892 — [53]
1948 Jacinto Calvo OF 1913–1927 Major League Baseball [54]
1948 Nemesio Guilló OF 1878–1883 — [55]
1948 Rafael Hernández OF 1885–1898 — [56]
1948 Antonio (Antoñico) Mesa 3B 1903-1905 — [57]
1948 Tomás (Italiano) Romañach SS 1910–1919 Minor leagues [58]
1949 Pelayo Chacón SS 1908–1932 Negro leagues [59]
1949 Julio (El Cartero) López OF 1888–1900 All Cubans [25]
1949 Eduardo Machado SS 1888–1892 — [60]
1949 Gonzalo Sánchez C 1903–1911 All Cubans [61]
1949 Manuel Villa OF 1908–1920 Negro leagues [62]
1950 Manuel (Manolo) Cueto 3B 1912–1933 Major League Baseball [63]
1950 Rafael Figarola C 1906–1919 Negro leagues [64]
1950 Eustaquio Gutiérrez OF 1914–1916 Minor leagues [65]
1950 Eugenio Jiménez ? 1897–1902 — [28]
1950 Ricardo Martínez SS 1878–1891 — [66]
1951 Alfredo Arango OF 1885–1891 — [67]
1951 Martín Dihigo P 1922–1947 Negro leagues [68]
1951 Bienvenido (Pata Jorobá) Jiménez 2B 1913–1929 Negro leagues [69]
1951 José (Joseíto) Rodríguez 1B 1914–1939 Major League Baseball [70]
1951 José María Teuma OF 1882–1889 — [71]
1953 Moisés Quintero C 1887–1905 All Cubans [72]
1953 Juan Violá OF 1903–1915 Minor leagues [73]
1953 Carlos Zaldo SS 1878–1880 — [74]
1954 Emilio Palmero P 1913–1929 Major League Baseball [75]
1954 Pablo Ronquillo OF 1885–1891 — [71]
1955 Baldomero (Merito) Acosta OF 1913–1925 Major League Baseball [76]
1955 Miguel Angel González C 1910–1936 Major League Baseball [77]
1956 Isidro Fabré P 1918–1939 Negro leagues [78]
1956 Emilio Palomino OF 1901–1913 All Cubans [79]
1957 Adolfo Luque P 1912–1945 Major League Baseball [80]
1958 José (Acostica) Acosta P 1912–1930 Major League Baseball [81]
1958 Lázaro Salazar 1B 1930–1948 Negro leagues [82]
1959 Ramón Bragaña P 1926–1948 Negro leagues [83]
1959 Armando Cabañas 2B 1900–1916 Negro leagues [84]
1960 Tomás de la Cruz P 1934–1947 Major League Baseball [85]
1960 Oscar Rodríguez 2B 1918–1939 Minor leagues [86]
2014 Conrado (Connie) Marrero P 1946–1958 Major League Baseball [2]
2014 Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso OF 1945–1961 Major League Baseball [2]
2014 Camilo Pascual P 1952–1961 Major League Baseball [2]
2014 Esteban (Steve) Bellán 3B 1878–1886 National Association of Professional Base Ball Players [2]
2014 Amado Maestri Umpire — — [2]
2014 Omar Linares 3B 1982–2002 Nippon Professional Baseball [2][87][88]
2014 Orestes Kindelán OF, 1B 1985–2002 — [2][88]
2014 Antonio Muñoz 1B 1970–1991 — [2][88]
2014 Luis Casanova OF 1974–1991 — [2][88]
2014 Braudilio Vinent P 1967–1987 — [2][88]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The name shown on the plaque in Havana is Salón de la Fama del Base-Ball Profesional de Cuba (Cuban Professional Baseball Hall of Fame) (see Alfonso 2007), but this longer name is not commonly used in histories of Cuban baseball.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sené, Ismael (12 February 2015), "Refoundation of Cuba's Baseball Hall of Fame", oncubamagazine.com, OnCuba, retrieved 27 March 2016
  3. ^ González Echevarría 1999, pp. 205–206, 277.
  4. ^ Alfonso 2007. González Echevarría 1999, p. 277. Brietz, Eddie (June 13, 1939). "Stars Compete in Baseball Anniversary". Ottawa Citizen. p. 6. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  5. ^ González Echevarría 1999, pp. 275, 277.
  6. ^ "Dihigo, Martin". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved April 13, 2010. [dead link‍]"Mendez, Jose". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved April 13, 2010."Torriente, Cristobal". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  7. ^ a b Toot 2004, p. 171.
  8. ^ Bjarkman 2005, pp. 59–60.
  9. ^ Poyo 2009, p. 560. "Baseball: The King of Sports". Dominicana On Line. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  10. ^ González Echevarría 1999, pp. 91, 122, 125, 410.
  11. ^ González Echevarría 1999, p. 84.
  12. ^ Delgado-García 2005, pp. 50–51.
  13. ^ Pérez 1999, p. 83. Figueredo 2003, p. 33. Figueredo 2005, pp. 16–18.
  14. ^ Poyo 2009, pp. 548–556.
  15. ^ Burgos 2007, pp. 81–82. Hogan, pp. 88–89. Kuntz.
  16. ^ Burgos 2007, pp. 94–98. Toot 2004, pp. 31–45."Juan Violat Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  17. ^ Riley 2002, pp. 203, 545–546, 580, 787–788.
  18. ^ "Cubans in Baseball Halls of Fame". cubanball.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  19. ^ For example, see Alfonso 2007.
  20. ^ Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Figueredo 2003, pp. 508–509.
  21. ^ "Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame Phase 2". cubanball.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2010."Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame Phase 3". cubanball.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2010."Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame Phase 4". cubanball.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  22. ^ For pitchers after 1885/86 and position players after 1903, the primary position is based on seasonal rosters shown in Figueredo 2003. For earlier players, the source for primary position is cited in the "Ref" column.
  23. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 484, 508. "Rafael Almeida Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  24. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 137–138.
  25. ^ a b Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508. Figueredo 2005, p. 547. Kuntz.
  26. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 508. Riley 2002, p. 325.
  27. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508. Figueredo 2005, p. 547. "Valentin Gonzales Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  28. ^ a b Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508.
  29. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 487, 508. "Armando Marsans Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  30. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 545–546.
  31. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 483, 508. Kuntz.
  32. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 787–788.
  33. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 481, 508. Kuntz.
  34. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 573–574.
  35. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 508. Cuban Stars statistics compiled by Scott Simkus and posted by Ashwill, Gary. "1909 Cuban Stars". agatetype.typepad.com. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  36. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 6, 483, 508.
  37. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. "Al Cabrera Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  38. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. Poyo 2009, p. 551.
  39. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. Riley 2002, p. 161.
  40. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 487, 508. Riley 2002, p. 380.
  41. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. "Luis Padron Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
  42. ^ This name was omitted from Figueredo's list, but is shown by Bjarkman. Figueredo 2003, p. 482. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65.
  43. ^ This name was omitted from Figueredo's list, but is shown by Bjarkman. Figueredo 2003, p. 488. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Riley 2002, pp. 587–588.
  44. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 484, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 63–64.
  45. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 481, 508. Figueredo 2005, p. 547.
  46. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. Riley 2002, p. 249.
  47. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. Riley 2002, p. 567.
  48. ^ a b Figueredo 2003, pp. 483, 508.
  49. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 28, 481, 508. Figueredo 2005, p. 547.
  50. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508. González Echevarría 1999, p. 98.
  51. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508. Poyo 2009, p. 544.
  52. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 508. Riley 2002, p. 799.
  53. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 481, 508.
  54. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. "Jack Calvo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  55. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 6, 482, 508.
  56. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 23, 482, 508.
  57. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 508.
  58. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 508. "Tomas Romanach Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  59. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. Riley 2002, pp. 162–163.
  60. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508. Pérez 1999, p. 83.
  61. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 508. Kuntz.
  62. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 508. Riley 2002, p. 803.
  63. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 508. "Manuel Cueto Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  64. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 508. Riley 2002, p. 282.
  65. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 508. Riley 2002, p. 344. "Gutterez Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  66. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 482, 508. Figueredo 2005, p. 547.
  67. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 481, 509. Figueredo 2005, p. 10.
  68. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 493, 509. Riley 2002, pp. 233–235.
  69. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 487, 509. Riley 2002, pp. 427–428.
  70. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 509. "Jose Rodriguez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  71. ^ a b Figueredo 2003, pp. 483, 509. Figueredo 2005, p. 547.
  72. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 483, 509. Figueredo 2005, p. 547. Kuntz.
  73. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 509. "Juan Violat Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  74. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 6, 483, 509.
  75. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 509. "Emilio Palmero Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  76. ^ Figueredo 2003, pp. 484, 509. "Merito Acosta Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  77. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1955, and Bjarkman shows 1956. Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. "Mike Gonzalez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  78. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1956, and Bjarkman shows 1957. Figueredo 2003, pp. 486, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Riley 2002, pp. 273–274.
  79. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1956, and Bjarkman shows 1957. Figueredo 2003, pp. 488, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Kuntz.
  80. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1957, and Bjarkman shows 1958. Figueredo 2003, pp. 487, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. "Dolf Luque Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  81. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1958, and Bjarkman shows 1959. Figueredo 2003, pp. 484, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. "Jose Acosta Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  82. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1958, and Bjarkman shows 1959. Figueredo 2003, pp. 498, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Riley 2002, pp. 689–690.
  83. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1959, and Bjarkman shows 1960. Figueredo 2003, pp. 492, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Riley 2002, pp. 100–101.
  84. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1959, and Bjarkman shows 1960. Figueredo 2003, pp. 485, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. Riley 2002, p. 142.
  85. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1960, and Bjarkman shows 1961. Figueredo 2003, pp. 493, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. "Tommy de la Cruz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  86. ^ Sources disagree on year inducted; Figueredo shows 1960, and Bjarkman shows 1961. Figueredo 2003, pp. 489, 509. Bjarkman 2005, p. 65. "Oscar Rodriguez Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  87. ^ Bjarkman, Peter C. "Omar Linares". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  88. ^ a b c d e Hernández Torres, Duanys. "The new Cuban baseball immortals (II)". oncubamagazine.com. OnCuba. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.

References