Havana Sugar Kings
- Location: Havana, Cuba
- League: International League 1954-1960
- Affiliation: Cincinnati Reds 1955-1960
- Ballpark:
Team History[edit]
The Havana Sugar Kings made the International League truly international in 1954 when they represented the third nation in the IL (Cuba joining Canada and the USA). In 1955, the Sugar Kings affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, a relationship that lasted until 1960 when nationalization of American industries led the IL to move the franchise to New Jersey where they became the Jersey City Jerseys. The brightest moment in the history of the Sugar Kings was 1959, when they won the 1959 Junior World Series in one of the most eventful years in Cuban history. Among the more famous players on that team were hurlers Luis Arroyo and Mike Cuellar; Cuellar spent his first three pro seasons with the Sugar Kings and led the IL in ERA in 1957. Playing close to sea level led to low offensive statistics and impressive pitching stats for Havana.
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 | 78-77 | 5th | Reggie Otero | ||
1955 | 87-66 | 3rd | Reggie Otero | Lost in 1st round | |
1956 | 72-82 | 6th | Reggie Otero (17-30) / Napoleon Reyes (57-52) | ||
1957 | 72-82 | 6th | Napoleon Reyes | ||
1958 | 65-88 | 8th | Napoleon Reyes (46-55) / Tony Pacheco (19-33) | ||
1959 | 80-73 | 3rd | Preston Gomez | League Champs | |
1960 | 76-77 overall | -- | Tony Castano | Team moved to Jersey City July 13 |
Further Reading[edit]
- César Brioso: Last Seasons in Havana: The Castro Revolution and the End of Professional Baseball in Cuba, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE, 2019. ISBN 978-1-4962-0551-3
- Lou Hernández: Bobby Maduro and the Cuban Sugar Kings, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2018. ISBN 978-1-4766-3482-1
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