Germán Águila

Germán Águila Mesa

• Born May 12, 1940 in Calabazar de Sagua, Villa Clara Cuba

Biographical Information

Germán Águila was a star defensive third baseman in the Cuban Serie Nacional and played for the Cuban national team.

Águila was a railroad worker before his Serie Nacional career began. He helped the Industriales to four straight titles, from 1962-1963 through 1965-1966; he would win seven pennants during his career. In 1963-1964, he led the league with 26 strikeouts. His 7 runs for the Occidentales in the 1972 Cuban All-Star Series tied Agustín Arias and Pedro Jova for the most.

The fiery infielder often had run-ins with umpires during his career. He made Cuba's national team for the first time in the 1973 FIBA Amateur World Series. He tied Félix Isasi, Evelio Hernández and Armando Capiró for the tourney lead with three homers as Cuba won it all. He was named the All-Star third baseman. He batted .294/.368/.324 for Cuba when they won Gold at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games, leading third basemen in the event in fielding (2 PO, 12 A, 0 E).

In 13 seasons in Cuba, he hit .225/.306/.291 with 277 runs and 237 RBI in 803 games in a pitchers' era; he fielded .922. After his playing career ended, he was an umpire in the Serie Nacional for 27 more years.

Sources

• Ecured
• 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games Final Report
• Cuban-play.com