Juan Mendizábal (Cuba)

Juan Mendizábal Zulueta

• School Universidad de Habana

Biographical Information

Juan Mendizábal was the top pitcher in Cuba's amateur league in 1929, pitching for Universidad de Habana. In the 1930 Central American Games, he both pitched for Cuba and did shotput. He pitched very well against Silver Medal winner Panama, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and no runs in 5 2/3 IP while whiffing two. He left with a 1-0 lead but Narciso Picazo allowed a tying run before Cuba rallied to win, leaving Mendizábal with a no-decision. He led the Gold Medal Cubans in ERA, third in the event behind Mexico's Octavio Vidaña and A. Angulo, who were also at 0.00 but in more innings. He won the Gold in shotput as well (12.25 m). He was not the only Cuban baseball player to take home two Golds - so did outfielder-javelin hurler Porfirio Espinosa. He was 8-0 for Regla in the 1932 amateur league to tie future major leaguer Tommy de la Cruz for the lead.

Source: 1930 Central American Games Final Report, A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman