Louis Castro -- first Latin player

[VIBaseball]

I'd like to know if anyone can point me toward books on A's history that may have any info on this man. He appears to be a very shadowy figure. I am interested in him not only because he was the first Latin player in MLB but also because he is one of the rare Colombians in MLB history.

[Imapotato]

All I have is a pic, but I am pretty sure Castro just couldn't break into that IF of the A's

Also the 1st Mexican player was Red Sox Fred Arrelanes


The 1st Cuban players were Rafael Almeida and Armando Marsans of the Reds, who were frontrunners in getting cheap Latin players

[caribeño]

I'd like to know if anyone can point me toward books on A's history that may have any info on this man. He appears to be a very shadowy figure. I am interested in him not only because he was the first Latin player in MLB but also because he is one of the rare Colombians in MLB history.

Luis Manuel Castro , nicknamed Jud in USA was a star pitcher for his Alma Mater , Manhattan College in 1898 , and 1899 . He came from a wealthy family in Colombia , and the rumor is that he was the Nephew of Cipriano Castro a venezuelan president . He attended school in the States the same way that the Bellan brothers from Cuba did in the 1860's . The elder , Esteban considered to be the first hispanic in the Majors ( Troy , 1871-72 ) . Somehow Manuel made it to that famous 1902 A's team as a second basemen .
That was his only year in the Majors , but he holds the honor of being the first of our people to hit a Home Run in the Bigs . He was the third hispano in MLB , following Bellán , and Vicente Nava ( Providence , NL , 1984 ) . Nava was the son of a lady from Durango , México . MLB is the organization that stated that the Union Association was a " Major " League . I am not to argue on that statement .
I do posess two photos of Jud in Manhattan uniform , and there are two photos of the 1902 A's in which i think our man is .

[VIBaseball]

Hola caribeño -- not too long ago I paid a visit to Manhattan College and got some photos from their archives. The woman who works there was very nice. Luis played several different positions there, including outfield and shortstop.

I don't think the Venezuelan connection is true, just a story. I'm still trying to find out where the "Jud" nickname came from -- I've dug up a lot of stories from his long minor-league career after 1902, where his nickname is "Count."

I have tried to get info from Colombia via e-mail (writing in Spanish), but no luck. I believe his father was a politician in Antioquia, where Medellín is located. I am still digging -- I've gotten a lot of good stuff up to 1917, and then the trail grows cold until just before Castro's death.

[Brian McKenna]

Also the 1st Mexican player was Red Sox Fred Arrelanes

never heard of arrelanes. can you elaborate? can't find him in encyclopedia. all my info says mel amada was first mexican player in 1933.

[westsidegrounds]

Well, now, Havana-born Esteban Enrique "Steve" Bellan played for the Troy Haymakers in 1871-2, and for the NY Mutuals in 1873. So, as to who was first ...

Bellan (1850-1932) learned to play BB while a student at Fordham. He wasn't a great batter (.252 career in the NA), but he was a fine defensive 3B for the time - his graceful play around the hot corner earned him the nickname "The Cuban Sylph", which is the kind of nickname they just don't give out no more ....

After his three seasons in the National Association Bellan returned to Cuba, founded the first Cuban BB club (Habana), and in 1874 played in the first BB game between Cuban teams, in which Habana beat Matanzas fifty-one to nine, yikes.

[caribeño]

Hola caribeño -- not too long ago I paid a visit to Manhattan College and got some photos from their archives. The woman who works there was very nice. Luis played several different positions there, including outfield and shortstop.

I don't think the Venezuelan connection is true, just a story. I'm still trying to find out where the "Jud" nickname came from -- I've dug up a lot of stories from his long minor-league career after 1902, where his nickname is "Count."

I have tried to get info from Colombia via e-mail (writing in Spanish), but no luck. I believe his father was a politician in Antioquia, where Medellín is located. I am still digging -- I've gotten a lot of good stuff up to 1917, and then the trail grows cold until just before Castro's death.

Saludos VI (¿ Islas Vírgenes ? I think because i once read something you wrote about our beloved Valmy Thomas )
Anyway , Isn't the lady , Amy Surak ?
This wonderful person not only send me all the available info about Luis but , kindly send me a CD with two different photos of our man . Who can ask for more ?
Well , lots of luck with Luis , and , pls , keep me posted .

[caribeño]

never heard of arrelanes. can you elaborate? can't find him in encyclopedia. all my info says mel amada was first mexican player in 1933.

Señor McKenna :
Frank Arellanes was a pitcher for the Red Sox back in 1908-10 . Was born in Santa Cruz , California and , died also in California . there is no info that relates him to México . His last name is spanish , but that most be a very common pattern in California .
Baldomero " Melo " Almada is recognized as the first mlb player born in México .
Although Vince " Sandy " Nava ( Providence and Baltimore 1882-86 ) was the son of a lady from Durango , México , and its not clear whether he was born in California ( San Francisco , 1850 ) or in Durango .
As for me Vince is the first mexican , and Melo the first " certified " mexican .

[VIBaseball]

Saludos VI (¿ Islas Vírgenes ? I think because i once read something you wrote about our beloved Valmy Thomas )
Anyway , Isn't the lady , Amy Surak ?
This wonderful person not only send me all the available info about Luis but , kindly send me a CD with two different photos of our man . Who can ask for more ?
Well , lots of luck with Luis , and , pls , keep me posted .

You're right on all counts, caribeño. The history of baseball in the Virgin Islands is my work, and I am happy to count Valmy Thomas as a friend. He's a delightful story teller and human being.

Yes, Amy Surak is the same person who helped me out in exactly the same way. I hope to repay her with a proper Castro profile.

I just found out today that there's a book by Nick C. Wilson called "Early Latino Ballplayers in the United States." Castro features in the first chapter. I've dropped Nick (a SABR colleague) a line and hope to hear from him soon.

Oh, by the way, westsidegrounds -- to be sure, I could/should have been more careful and referred to Castro as the first Latin major-leaguer in the "modern era."

[westsidegrounds]

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Oh, by the way, westsidegrounds -- to be sure, I could/should have been more careful and referred to Castro as the first Latin major-leaguer in the "modern era."

What, 1871 isn't modern?

You kids today ....

[elmarinillo]

Hey VIBaseball,
I may be able to help in your research in Colombia. You say that you have gotten a lot of good stuff up to 1917, and then the trail grows cold. My cousin is helping me with research in her role as a history professor in "La Universidad Nacional" in Medellin. I have gotten a lot of valuable info from all of you. Let me know how we can colaborate to get Castro's full story out there.

[Imapotato]

Awww give Fred Arrellenes the "1st Mexican" seal of approval

He was of Mexican heritage, but here is the kicker

He took CY YOUNG'S place in the Red Sox Rotation

I mean talk about coming in to the league on a hard note....thousands of P's couldn't fill Young's shoes, this guy was asked to do it in his 1st year

[VIBaseball]

Hey VIBaseball,
I may be able to help in your research in Colombia. You say that you have gotten a lot of good stuff up to 1917, and then the trail grows cold. My cousin is helping me with research in her role as a history professor in "La Universidad Nacional" in Medellin. I have gotten a lot of valuable info from all of you. Let me know how we can colaborate to get Castro's full story out there.

elmarinillo -- that would be tremendous/¡eso sería asombroso!

I will send you a private message with more detail.

[elmarinillo]

I have sent you my info VIBaseball. Hope to hear from you.

[RedSoxVT92]

never heard of arrelanes. can you elaborate? can't find him in encyclopedia. all my info says mel amada was first mexican player in 1933.

You proably cant find anything on him because his name is Frank Arellanes not Fred Arrellenes. And he was not the first mexican player he was born in Santa Cruz California. Although I do give some credit in that he was of Mexican decent but that still doesnt make him the first Mexican player. He did pretty good filling in for Cy as he had a 16-12 record in 230.7 innings with an era of 2.18. Led the leaugue in saves with 8. that 1909 was his only good year. But wasnt in the majors that long, only playing for 3 years(1908,1909,1910).