The Rise of the Latin American Baseball Leagues, 1947–1961: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela by Lou Hernández (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Rise of the Latin American Baseball Leagues, 1947–1961: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela by Lou Hernández Anthony Salazar Lou Hernández. The Rise of the Latin American Baseball Leagues, 1947–1961: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Jefferson NC: McFarland, 2011. 402 pp. Paper, $49.95. It’s a rather huge undertaking to chronicle the history of seven baseball leagues in Latin American countries over a span of nearly fifteen years, but Lou Hernández takes a heroic stab at conquering this mountain of research. When you think of baseball leagues in Latin America’s history, the average fan who follows such topics usually turns to Peter Bjarkman and Milton Jamail for their excellent work in Cuban baseball, while others look to John [End Page 176] Virtue’s recent work on Jorge Pasquel and the Mexican Leagues, as well as Thomas Van Hyning’s Puerto Rico’s Winter League. Still others might consider George Gedda’s work on Dominican baseball, and one should not overlook noted Latino baseball historians Sam Regalado and Adrian Burgos Jr. In The Rise of the Latin American Baseball Leagues, 1947–1961: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, Hernández’s task is obviously daunting. Relying heavily on local newspapers and a couple dozen books as reference, Hernández jumps in with both feet to cover seven chapters detailing each nation’s baseball leagues. The author presents a fan’s guide to each country’s season-by-season action. Beginning in 1947, Hernández covers the span of the Cuban assent into the Latin American baseball confederation and their ultimate withdrawal in 1961. In masterfully weaving his story, Hernández does a tremendous job with local newspaper accounts that illustrate a colorful history filled with extraordinary personalities and situations. Certainly none are more extraordinary or bold as Pasquel in Mexico and his mission to recruit the best talent the United States had to offer for his Mexican league. In this work, we witness the eternal rivalry of Alemandares and Habana in the Cuban Leagues, as well as the battle for Latin American baseball supremacy in the Caribbean World Series. Going beyond the usual suspects of countries and their glorious baseball histories, Hernandez does a fine job in bringing Panama, Nicaragua, and Venezuela into the baseball discussion. While historians tend to dote on Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, it is refreshing to learn more about the other three countries. What’s equally familiar in the book are the players from North American baseball whose careers we have followed for years, making their bones in Latin America’s Winter Leagues. Boston Red Sox Johnny Pesky managed Nicaragua’s Cinco Estrellas Tigers, while famed knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm twirled for the Habana Leones. Tommy Lasorda worked his way through a few teams in the Puerto Rican leagues. Negro leaguer Josh Gibson was lured to Mexico by Pasquel, and other minor leaguers got their start in the warm Caribbean sunshine. With respect to the up-and-coming Latino players who would someday be stars in the big leagues, Hernandez highlights youngsters Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, and Rubén Gómez of the Puerto Rican league, while Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso, Camilo Pasquel, and Sandy Amarós played for various teams in Cuba. African American players spending their winters in the warmer climates included Henry Aaron (Puerto Rico), Willie Mays (Puerto Rico), Joe Black (Dominican Republic), Sam Noble (Cuba) and Artie Wilson (Puerto Rico). While a number of the ballplayers are familiar to us, we are curious about [End Page 177] teams like the Caguas Criollos (Creoles), Chesterfield Smokers, Oriental Tiburones (Sharks), Magallanes Navegantes (Navigators), and Poza Rica Petroleros (Oilers). How have their fans reacted to their successes and failures? What effect do these teams and others in Latin America have on their communities? Hernández depicts numerous wild scenes whose fans are as knowledgeable as they are passionate about their team and the game of baseball. There is a very strong sense of culture and cultural identity that is delicately depicted within each chapter. Another of book...