Negro Leaguers on
Cuban Teams

Cubans in NL

NL in Cuba

Cuban Teams

NL Allstars

NL in Cards

NL
Series

Back to
Negro Leagues

American Negro Leaguers played on Cuban League teams from 1907 through the late 1950s. They made many important contributions to the advancement of Cuban baseball and taught their exciting brand of baseball to their Cuban teammates. On this page we will look at some important Cuban League teams whose success depended highly from the contribution of the American Negro League players on their rosters. Notes: The 1915-16 San Francisco team after starting 1-21 replaced its roster with Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants team. In the 1920-21 season the Bacharach Giants took part as the third team but withdrew early. For more info on the great American Series of 1925 visit the All-Americans vs All-Cubans page. 

1907: Fe (Second Place)
This Cuban League pioneer fortified its roster with several stars of the Negro leagues. The team finished a close second with Rube Foster (10-5) the leagues leading pitcher.
Roster:
Rube Foster (Pitcher and Outfielder)
Charles Grant (Infielder)
Grant Johnson (Infielder)
Bill Monroe (Infielder)
Preston Hill (Outfielder)

1913: Fe (First Place)
Finished first by winning 12 of their last 13 games. Joe (Smoky) Williams (9-5) and Dick (Cannonball) Redding (7-2) lead the pitching staff. Spot Poles (.364), Jude Gans (.346) and John H. (Pop) Lloyd (.341) led a potent offense.
Roster:
Joe (Smoky) Williams (Pitcher)
Dick (Cannonball) Redding (Pitcher)
Billy Francis (Infielder)
John H. (Pop) Lloyd (Infielder)
Spot Poles (Outfielder)
Jude Gans (Outfielder)

1923-24: Santa Clara (First Place)
Considered by many the greatest team in Cuban League history. They ran away with the championship with a 36-11 (.766) record. Bill Holland (10-2), Rube Currie (8-2) and Dave Brown (7-3) led the pitching staff. Among the offensive league leaders were Oliver Marcelle (.393), Oscar Charleston (59 R and 31 SB) and Dobie Moore (71 H). The team recorded a .331 team batting average the highest in Cuban League history.
Roster:
Bill Holland (Pitcher)
Rube Currie (Pitcher)
Dave Brown (Pitcher)
Frank Duncan (Catcher)
Eddie Douglass (Infielder)
Oscar Johnson (Infielder)
Frank Warfield (Infielder)
Oliver Marcelle (Infielder
Dobie Moore (Infielder)
Oscar Charleston (Outfielder)

1925: All-Americans (Yankees)
This all-star team participated in the American Series against the All-Cubans (Criollos) team.  The All-Americans won 5, lost 2 and tied 1. For more info on this great series visit the All-Americans vs All-Cubans page.
Roster:
Bill Holland (Pitcher)
Bullet Rogan (Pitcher)
Lefty Cooper (Pitcher)
Rats Henderson (Pitcher)
Red Ryan (Pitcher)
Biz Mackey (Catcher)
John H. (Pop) Lloyd (Infielder)
Newt Allen (Infielder)
Dick Lundy (Infielder)
Frank Warfield (Infielder)
Clint Thomas (Outfielder)
Oscar Charleston (Outfielder)
Crush Holloway (Outfielder)

1929-30: Cienfuegos (First Place)
Won the championship with a 32-19 (.627) record. James (Cool Papa) Bell was the offensive dynamo. Other team leaders included pitcher Charles (Lefty) Williams (7-4), infielder Willie Wells (.322) and outfielder Chaney White (.310).
Roster:
Charles (Lefty) Williams (Pitcher)
Harry Salmon (Pitcher)
Sam Streeter (Pitcher)
Connie Rector (Pitcher)
Frank Duncan (Catcher)
Willie Wells (Infielder)
Newton Joseph (Infielder)
James (Cool Papa) Bell (Outfielder)
Chaney White (Outfielder)
James (Cool Papa) Bell (Outfielder)

Ray “Talua” Dandridge1937-38: Americanos (all-star team)
A mid-season all-star game was held between the American ballplayers and the Cubans. The Cubans won the game 2 to 1.
Roster:
Sam Bankhead (Outfielder)        Bill Perkins (Catcher)
Willie Wells (Short Stop)            Frank Duncan (Catcher)
Clyde Spearman (Outfielder)      Bob Griffith (Pitcher)
Harry Williams (Infielder)           Hilton Smith (Pitcher)
Ed Stone (Infielder)                  Raymond "Jabao" Brown (Pitcher)
Ray "Talua" Dandridge (Infielder) Newt Allen (Infielder)
 

1938-39: Santa Clara (First Place)
Won the championship with a 34-20 (.630) record. Catcher Josh Gibson (.356) led the league in HRs (11) and runs (50). Other team leaders included pitcher Ray Brown (11-7) and infielder Sam Bankhead (44 RBIs).
Roster:
Ray Brown (Pitcher and Outfielder)
John (School Boy) Taylor (Pitcher)
Leroy Matlock (Pitcher)
Josh Gibson (Catcher)
Sam Bankhead (Infielder)

Back to Top

[Home] [History] [Teams] [Major Lg] [Negro Lg] [Cards] [Collect]