04-15-2025, 05:48 PM
Not a question, but I thought this was of note on Jackie Robinson Day. Jackie Robinson broke the 20th century color barrier in MLB, and Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese player to play in MLB, pitching for the Giants in 1964.
Who were the first Latino players? It depends...
- Esteban "Steve" Bellan, born in Cuba, played for the Troy Haymakers and New York Mutuals of the National Association from 1871 to 1873. This was the league that predated the National League.
- Vincent Irwin "Sandy" Nava was of Mexican-American descent and was a catcher and shortstop for the National League's Providence Grays from 1882 to 1886. He was born in San Francisco, his parents emigrated from Mexico. No relation to Daniel Nava, formerly of St. Francis, SCU and the Red Sox.
- Luis Miguel "Lou" Castro was born in Medellin Colombia. He played for the A's in 1902 under unusual circumstances. He attended Manhattan College and was named by Sporting Life as one of the top college players on the East Coast in 1898. Connie Mack signed him as a replacement for Nap Lajoie. Lajoie's contract with the A's had been challenged by the Phillies, and Castro played while Lajoie's contract was adjudicated. Decent hitter, poor fielder, but well-liked by his teammates. Released by the A's in 1903, played in the minors for years in Rochester, Portland (PCL), also played without incident in the Southern Association and managed in the South Atlantic League.
Who were the first Latino players? It depends...
- Esteban "Steve" Bellan, born in Cuba, played for the Troy Haymakers and New York Mutuals of the National Association from 1871 to 1873. This was the league that predated the National League.
- Vincent Irwin "Sandy" Nava was of Mexican-American descent and was a catcher and shortstop for the National League's Providence Grays from 1882 to 1886. He was born in San Francisco, his parents emigrated from Mexico. No relation to Daniel Nava, formerly of St. Francis, SCU and the Red Sox.
- Luis Miguel "Lou" Castro was born in Medellin Colombia. He played for the A's in 1902 under unusual circumstances. He attended Manhattan College and was named by Sporting Life as one of the top college players on the East Coast in 1898. Connie Mack signed him as a replacement for Nap Lajoie. Lajoie's contract with the A's had been challenged by the Phillies, and Castro played while Lajoie's contract was adjudicated. Decent hitter, poor fielder, but well-liked by his teammates. Released by the A's in 1903, played in the minors for years in Rochester, Portland (PCL), also played without incident in the Southern Association and managed in the South Atlantic League.
Audaces fortuna iuvat