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Ciudad Trujillo and the 1937
Dominican Championship

Cubans and the Latin Leagues: Baseball was an American invention (1840s) but it quickly took off in Cuba (1860s). Americans traveling abroad did much to spread baseball. In the Caribbean basin Cubans played a large role in spreading baseball to other Latin countries. Below is a brief summary of the Cuban influence in the major baseball playing Latin nations. For additional information on this subject visit the following pages: Caribbean Series, Mexican Hall of Fame, Latin Baseball Cards, Venezuelan Baseball cards .

Dominican Republic: During the Cuban War for Independence, which began in 1868, many Cubans sought safety in the Dominican Republic, then a Spanish colony. The Cubans brought with them the game of Baseball and the expertise of growing sugar. This led to the formation of "Sugar Leagues". In 1937, D.R. Dictator Rafael Trujillo took an interest in baseball and brought to the island some of the best Cuban and Negro League ballplayers. Santiago had Martin Dihigo and Luis Tiant, while San Pedro had Cocaina Garcia and Ramon Bragaña. But it would be the Ciudad Trujillo team , Managed by Lazaro Salazar, with Tony Castaño, Rodolfo Fernandez, Satchel Paige and  Josh Gibson that would be champion. Several Cubans played in the Dominican Profesional League, which began in 1951 and continues today. Managers Rodolfo Fernandez (1952), Oscar Rodriguez (1953), Ramon Bragaña (1954) and Tony Pacheco (67-68) led their teams to the Championship. Pedro Formental (1951 - HR), Orlando McFarlane (63-64 & 64-65 - HR ), Santiago Ulrich (1953 – ERA) were league leaders. 

Mexico: Cubans fleeing the war also headed to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Cuban children taught the game to Mexican children and amateur leagues were formed. The Mexican working class soon picked up the game. The Mexican league began in 1937 and still operates today. During the mid 1940's Jorge Pasquel enticed several Major league players, including several Cubans, to jump from the Major Leagues and go play in Mexico. The Major Leagues would ban these players. Cubans managed several teams to championships: Lazaro Salazar (7 champions), Martin Dihigo (1942), Ramon Bragaña (1944), Armando Marsans (1945 & 46), Santos Amaro (1942 & 61), Adolfo Luque (1953 & 54), Oscar Rodriguez (1957), Cheo Ramos (1958), Clemente Carreras (1962), Antonio Castaño (1963), Enrique Izquierdo (1970) & Wilfredo Calviño (1973). Cuban league leaders are too many to list.

Puerto Rico: Like Cuba, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony in the 1890s. Spain transferred a diplomat from Cuba to Puerto Rico and his son taught baseball to children there. The first organized game took place in 1898 between a teams named Borinquen, based on the Indian name for the island, and Almendares, based on the famous Cuban team. The first Puerto Rican baseball league sported teams named Almendares, Havana and San Cristobal. Many Cubans have participated in the Puerto Rican Winter League, which began in 1938 and still is active today. Among the league leaders have been Miguel de la Hoz (61-62 - BA), Tony Oliva (63-64 - BA), Jose Cardenal (63-64 - HR), Tony Perez (66-67 - BA), Tony Taylor (67-68 - BA), Silvio Garcia (39-40 - ERA) and Mike Cuellar (64-65 – W). Preston Gomez managed Santurce to the 64-65 Championship.

Venezuela: Cuban ballplayer Emilio Cramer brought a traveling "All-Star" team to Venezuela in 1895. Cuban born Emerito Argudin played an important role in the formation of the first professional teams in Venezuela. Cubans have played a large role in Venezuelan professional play. In the 1930's players like Martin Dihigo and Alejandro Oms played on Venezuelan teams. During present Venezuelan League, which began play in 1946, Cubans have been prolific. Among Champion Managers are Lazaro Salazar (49-50, 50-51 & 54-55), Martin Dihigo (52-53), Regino Otero (7 Championships), Tony Pacheco (65-66), Wilfredo Calviño (68-69), Carlos Pascual (69-70) and Cookie Rojas (78-79). So many Cubans played in the Venezuelan league that the period of the late 60's heralded the "cubanización" of the Caracas ball club.