Antonio Valdés

Antonio Valdés (Quilla)

• Born October 28, 1911 in Quivicán Cuba
• Died April 3, 1996 in Miami, FL USA

Biographical Information

Antonio Valdés was a top Cuban amateur shortstop of the 1930s and 1940s, playing primarily for the Hershey Sports Club. He opted not to turn pro. He hit .379 in 1935 and .395 in 1937 for Hershey, leading the Cuban amateur league both times. The slick-fielding infielder also played for the Cuban national team. He batted .333 in the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games to help Cuba win the Gold Medal. In the 1942 Amateur World Series, the 30-year-old hit .302 and Cuba won the title; he led the Series in hits (16), RBI (14) and home runs (2, tied with Francisco Quicutis and Charles Perez. Quilla fell to .200 in the 1943 Amateur World Series but Cuba won it all again. He was hitting .250 in the 1944 Amateur World Series when Cuba withdrew in protest of umpiring by the host Venezuelans (Mexico also withdrew). He also was with Cuba when they won the 1950 Amateur World Series. After his playing career ended, Antonio managed in the amateur leagues.

Sources

• A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman
• Ecured
• 1950 Cuban NT roster