Conrado Marrero: A Bridge to Cuba’s Baseball Past
From SABR member Peter C. Bjarkman at The New York Times on August 14:
Conrado Marrero established himself as the most successful amateur league pitcher in Cuban history during the 1930s and early 1940s, then pitched for five seasons with the Washington Senators. Now the oldest former major leaguer at 100, he has fallen off the radar in North America.
Yet he remains an icon of baseball culture in Cuba, having helped to develop young players well into his 80s. He lives in a modest Havana apartment with his grandson Rogelio, and his birthdays are something of a national celebration. Despite a recent fall, Marrero still has a great memory, listens to games and enjoys discussing the best players in Cuba today.
Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/sports/baseball/conrado-marrero-a-bridge-to-cubas-baseball-past.html
Further reading: Check out SABR.org’s coverage of Marrero’s 100th birthday in April, including an exclusive essay from Bjarkman on “The Mysteries and Misconceptions Surrounding Conrado Marrero”.
Originally published: August 14, 2011. Last Updated: August 14, 2011.