1946 The Havana Cubans Join the, Class B, Florida International League becoming the first Cuban Team in the US Minor Leagues...During the 1946 World Series between the Red Sox and the Cardinals one of the most famous plays in baseball history occurred when Enos Slaughter dashed from first base to score on a hit to Center Field. Miguel Angel Gonzalez was the third base coach for the Cardinals...The Grand Stadium del Cerro was inaugurated on October 26th. The Cuban Professional League Played at the new stadium while the National Federation held there Championship at Tropical Stadium. This second league was a result of the war between Jorge Pasquel's Mexican League and Major League Baseball. Pasquel convinced several Major League players to abandon their teams and play in Mexico. Including Cubans Roberto Ortiz, Rene Monteagudo, Napoleon Reyes, Tommy de la Cruz, Adrian Zabala and coach Adolfo Luque...The 1946-47 Championship is regarded by many as the greatest season in Cuban Professional League play. It ended with Almendares winning in a exciting finish. The stars of Almendares were pitchers Agapito Mayor and Max Lanier...Cubans again dominate Mexican League: Claro Duany BA (.364), Napoleon Reyes hits (140), Agustin Bejarano SB (47), and Roberto Ortiz HR (25), RBI (108) and 2B (28). Cocaina Garcia led in wins (14-10) and Martin Dihigo in winning percentage (11-4 .733).

1947 The Brooklyn Dodgers along with their Montreal farm team and the New York Yankees hold part of their Spring Training in Cuba. Along came Jackie Robinson and the great experiment...Also to hold Spring Training in Cuba are the teams of the All American Girls Professional League...In June the Cuban League signs a working agreement with the National Association...On July 12 Conrado Marrero pitches a no-hitter for the Havana Cubans against Tampa. The Havana Cubans win the Florida International League pennant. They repeat in 1948, 1949 and 1950...The New York Cubans win the Negro League World Series. The veteran leader of the team was 40 year old Luis Tiant who went 10-0 in the regular season and won two World Series games...Roberto Ortiz leads Mexican League in HR (22), Alejandro Crespo in RBI (96), Roberto Estalella 2B (29), Amado Ibañez 3B (13), Hector Rodriguez SB (36) and Santiago Ulrich in ERA (2.65). Cuban Lazaro Salazar manages the Monterey Industriales to three Mexican League Championship in a row (1947, 1948 and 1949)...Again a double Championship would be held in Cuba for the 1947-48 season. Harry Kimbro sets a Cuban League record with 104 hits

1948 All American Girls League girls return to Cuba for some more exhibition games...Two Cubans debut in the Major Leagues, Angel Fleitas and Moain Garcia...Roberto Ortiz led Mexican League in HR (19), RBI (74) and 2B (25). Agustin Bejerano ties for lead in SB (24) while Agapito Mayor led pitchers in Strike Outs with 92.

1949 Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso made his debut in major League Baseball. He would make his last appearance in 1980. Julio Enrique Gonzalez also debuted this year...The first Caribbean Series is held and Cuba wins...Adolfo Cabrera led Mexican league in BA (.379) and 2B (34).

1950 On February 6th, Rogelio "Limonar" Martinez pitches a no hitter...Silvio Garcia leads the Provincial League in hitting (.365) and Home Runs (21)...Several Cubans make their Major League debut: Luis "Witto" Aloma, Sandalio Consuegra, Conrado Marrero, Limonar Martinez, Julio Moreno and Patato Pascual...On December 6^th, Cuban Carlos Colas, while playing in Venezuela, goes 5 for 5 with 3 triples...Lazaro Salazar manages Magallanes to the Venezuelan Championship of 1949-50. He will repeat in 1950-51 and 1954-55...Lorenzo Cabrera leads Mexican league in BA (.355), Mario Ariosa hits (119), Pablo Garcia 2B (27), Pedro Orta SB (34) and Pedro Antunez ERA (1.87).

1951 Three Cubans make their debut: Jose "Cisco" Campos, Willy Miranda and Rafael Noble. Rafael Noble goes on to play in the World Series for the New York Giants... Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso integrates the Chicago White Sox and becomes the first Cuban to Participate in an All-star Game. He leads league in stolen bases and is named The Sporting News Rookie of the Year...Hector Rodriguez named Rookie of the Year of the International League. Angel Scull leads the Pony League in stolen bases...Pedro Formental leads Dominican League in Home Runs (13)...Lino Donoso leads Mexican league in ERA (2.55) and Ks (197). Lino strikes out 18 in 9 innings to tie record set by Martin Dihigo. Pablo Garcia led 2B (28) and 3B (11), Pedro Orta SB (18) and Rene Gonzalez RBI (79 tied).

1952 Edmundo "Sandy" Amoros, Mike Fornieles, Hector Rodriguez and Raul Sanchez debut. In his debut Mike Fornieles pitches one hit ball...U.S. righthander Tomas Fine pitches no hitter for Club Habana in the Caribbean Series...Rodolfo Fernandez manages Aguilas to the Dominican league championship...Santos Amaro manages Veracruz to the Mexican league championship. Lino Donoso leads pitchers in Ks (235). Rene Gonzalez led in BA (.370), HR (21) and RBI (84) to win triple crown. Mario Ariosa hits (132), Ariosa/Pedro Orta 2B (20), Orta/Pablo Garcia 3B (8).

1953 Habana wins their last Championship (1952-53) led by Lou Klien's 16 Home Runs and Pedro Formental's 57 RBIs, which are Cuban League records...Martin Dihigo manages the Caracas Leones to the Venezuelan Championship (1952-53)...Minnie Miñoso leads A.L. in stolen bases for third straight year...Edmundo "Sandy" Amoros leads the International League in hitting (.353) after batting .373 in the Cuban League...Manager Adolfo Luque leads Nuevo Laredo, Mexican League, two first of two straight Championships. Lino Donoso leads in Ks (162), Rene Gonzalez BA (.343) and RBI (63), and Pedro Orta SB (28)...Oscar Rodriguez manages Licey to the Dominican league championship. Santiago Ulrich leads in ERA (1.98).

1954 Carlos Paula, who integrates the Washington Senators, and Camilo Pascual debut in the Major Leagues...Sandalio Consuegra led the American League in pitching with a 16-3 record...Martin Dihigo, Lazaro Salazar and Ramon Bragana are elected to the Mexican Hall of Fame...The Cuban Sugar Kings debut in the Class Triple A International League...Ramon Bragana manages Orientales to the Dominican league championship...Rene Gonzalez led Mexican League in BA (.359) and HR (21).

1955 Rocky Nelson records 57 RBIs in the 1954-55 season and ties Cuban League record...Major League debut of: Vicente Amor, Julio Becquer, Juan Delis, Lino Donoso, Wenceslao Gonzalez, Ramon Mejias, Pedro Ramos, Jose Valdivielso...Roberto "Chico" Barbon becomes the first Cuban and Latin-American to play baseball in Japan when he debuted with the Nankyu Braves...In the final and decisive game of the World Series, between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees, Edmundo "Sandy" Amoros made one of the most famous catches in World Series history...Tony Taylor leads the Northern League in stolen bases...Mario Ariosa led Mexican league in HR (22).

1956 On May 30, Mickey Mantle hit one of the most famous home runs of off pitcher Pedro Ramos. The ball is estimated to have travelled more than 600 feet...Humberto "Chico" Fernandez, Evelio Hernandez and Gonzalo "Cholly" Naranjo make their Major League Debut...Regino Otero manages Valencia to the Venezuelan league championship. He repeats in 1957 and 1958-59. Elio Chacon is elected Venezuelan league Rookie of the Year...Lazaro Salazar leads Mexico City Reds to the Mexican league championship...Aldo Salvent led Mexican league in SB (22).

1957 Minnie Miñoso wins the first American Gold Glove award for outfielders. He would repeat in 1959 and 1960...Only Rene Valdez has his Major League debut...Oscar Rodriguez leads Merida to the Mexican league chamionship. Lino Donoso leads Mexican league pitchers (8-2 .800) and Aldo Salvent BA (.359).

1958 A group of Cubans debuted this year: Ossie Alvarez, Juan "Panchon" Herrera, Daniel Morejon, Orlando Peña, Fernando Rodriguez and Tony Taylor...Cheo Ramos manages Nuevo Laredo to Mexican league championship. Julio Moreno leads Mexican league in ERA (2.70) and Oscar Sardiñas 2B (31).