New grave marker dedicated in New York for Latin American baseball pioneer Luis Castro
JULY 20, 2021 — SABR’s 19th Century Baseball Grave Marker Project Committee dedicated a grave monument on the previously unmarked grave of Luis “Jud” Castro at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing, New York 11365.
Castro was a semi-pro standout during the final years of the 19th century. He was born in Medellin, Colombia, and has the distinction of being the first Latino to play in the Major Leagues (NL or AL) when he made his debut for the Philadelphia Athletics on April 23, 1902. His arrival was a portent of the future of professional baseball. Today roughly 30% of Major League rosters are made up of Latino players. Castro is also the namesake of SABR’s Latin American chapter, which serves Spanish-speaking members in Central and South America. Click here to read Luis Castro’s full SABR biography, by Brian McKenna.
John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball, and State Senator Jessica Ramos, New York’s first Colombian-American Senator, spoke at the ceremony, along with SABR 19th Century Grave Marker Project director Ralph Carhart. July 20 was Colombian Independence Day (1810).
To learn more about the SABR 19th Century Baseball Grave Marker Project, or to make a tax-deductible donation in support, click here.
View a photo gallery at Flickr.com, courtesy of John Osborn at Osborn Photography:
Originally published: July 21, 2021. Last Updated: July 23, 2021.