Cuban National Federation

From BR Bullpen

The Cuban National Federation was set up as a winter league in 1946-1947 sanctioned by Organized Baseball and designed to compete with the Cuban Winter League. Games were played at La Tropical Stadium. It failed to compete with the CWL and lasted just one year.

The Matanzas club went 11-14 to finish last in the first half but went 8-4 to claim the second-half title, then beat the Havana Reds in the playoffs. Matanzas was managed by MVP Silvio Garcia, who hit .344 and led the league in hits (55) and steals (23). Ed Chandler (6-1) was the best pitcher for the team. OF Cleveland Clark (.300) led the league in runs (28).

The Havana Reds were 14-12 to win the first half but fell to last (2-8) in the second half before dropping the finals. Managed by 3B Gil Torres (.318, 2-2 as a pitcher), their star pitchers were Hooks Iott (4-1) and Izzy León (4-2). OF Claro Duany (.368) won the batting championship.

Oriente was managed by Mike Guerra and was second in each half (13-12, 9-6) for the best overall record. Connie Marrero (8-5) won the most games in the league and Booker McDaniels won all three of his appearances. Catcher Guerra hit .265 and a balanced offense was led by 3B Ray Dandridge (.312) and SS Manuel Hidalgo (.294, a league-high 26 RBI).

Camaguey was 6-7 after joining for the second half. They were managed by Antonio Rodriguez.

Source: Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History by Jorge Figueredo