Early Cuban Baseball.

[JACKIE42]

1943

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

1944

[JACKIE42]

the Almendares team- 1945
Back row, left to right: Reinaldo Cordeiro, Carlos Zarza, Santos Amaro, Santiago Ulrich, Battling Siki Roque, Gilberto Torres, Witto Aloma, Beto Avila, Rogelio "Limonar" Martinez, Hector Arago.

Front row: Regino Otero, Hector Rodriguez, Ramon Bragana, Fermin Guerra, Lloyd Davenport, Bartolo Portuondo, Avelino Canizares, Chiflan Clark, Mario Diaz, Andres Fleitas

[JACKIE42]

Habana team- 1945
Back row: Alfredo Suarez, Salvador Hernandez, Juan Montero, Terris McDuffie, Pedro "Natilla" Jimenez, Raul Navarro, Dick Sisler, Miguel Gonzalez, Julio Rojo, Fred Martin, Art Rebel, Lou Klein, Luis Navarro.

Front row: Saguita Hernandez, Rogelio Linares, Antonio Ordenana, Carlos Blanco, Yuyo Acosta, Manuel "Chino" Hidalgo, Rene Monteagudo, Lazaro Medina, Cecil Kaiser, Heberto Blanco, Pedro Formental, Cocaina Garcia.

[JACKIE42]

the Almendares team- 1949, Bill Antonello who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1953 season.

[JACKIE42]

Almendares team- 1949, Ed Wright. Wright had a 5-year Major League career.

[JACKIE42]

Addis played in the Major Leagues for 4 seasons- 1949

[JACKIE42]

1948-49 Toleteros card of Gene Baker.

[JACKIE42]

1948-49 Toleteros card of Dan Bankhead.

[VIBaseball]

Nothing else has the charm of this vintage stuff

I just love the old inks and paper -- the glossy modern stuff seems hollow somehow. And the winter leagues have their own special history.

I had the good fortune to visit Cuba a couple of years ago. Even there, these old cards and photos are getting scarce. There was a big open-air market in one of Havana's main squares, for books and other collectibles. Unfortunately, a lot of the items remain exposed to the elements, especially the bright sun.

It's a marvelous collection, Jackie -- glad you can share this sight.