Pitcher
Pitcher
Games
Birth year
“He was the best ballplayer of all time, black or white.” – Buck Leonard
His nickname said it all, in both English and his native Spanish.
El Maestro.
The Cuban-born Martín Dihigo debuted with the Cuban Stars of the Eastern Colored League in 1923 as an 18-year-old, light-hitting second baseman. Tall and thin, Dihigo would one day evoke comparisons with Joe DiMaggio for the style and grace he displayed on the ballfield.
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Center Fielder
Center Fielder
Cristóbal Torriente was a powerful, stocky centerfielder who possessed all of the traditional five tools: Hitting for average and power, fielding, throwing, and running.
Born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, on Nov. 16, 1893, Torriente came stateside in 1913 to play for the Cuban Stars. He also played several seasons in the 1910s for J.L. Wilkinson’s “All-Nations” team.
He joined The Chicago American Giants in 1919, helping the team capture the first three Negro National League pennants in 1920-22. He won the league batting title in 1920 with a .411 average.
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