San Francisco (Cuban Winter League)

San Francisco played for five years in the Cuban Winter League, finishing in 1st through 4th. They debuted in 1900 as an all-black team and won the pennant with a 17-10 record, beating out Havana by 3 games. Salvador Rosado (11-7) was second in the league in wins and also led in hits (4). Carlos Morán hit .269, the best mark on the team.

In 1901, the club fell to third at 11-7. 1B Julián Castillo set the all-time league batting record with a .454 average; he also led in hits (30) and doubles (5); Morán was second at .318 and split the year with Almendares.

The team faded further in 1902 with a last-place 3-15 record in the 4-team league. In a 18-game schedule, they managed to finish 14 1/2 games behind the Havana entry. One bright spot was Regino García, who hit .383, second in the CWL.

After a year off, San Francisco went 9-12 in 1904 to finishs second between Havana and Almendares in a three-team league. Managed by Patrocinio Silverio, the team was led by García, as the catcher hit .397 to claim the first of four batting titles.

The club returned for one last turn in 1915-1916 with a 1-21 start. They were then replaced entirely by the Chicago American Giants personnel, who were 5-16 before the team finally withdrew on March 23. Manuel Martinez managed them in the first half and Rube Foster took over for the later stretch. The only effective hurlers were Smokey Joe Williams (3-3) and Frank Wickware (2-4). Foster went 0-1. C Bruce Petway (.304), SS Pop Lloyd (.383, 10 R, 6 SB in 15 G) and OF Pete Hill (.373) led the club after the Negro Leaguers joined in.

Source: Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History by Jorge Figueredo