Memories of Winter Ball
Interviews with Players in the Latin American Winter Leagues of the 1950s
$29.95
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About the Book
This is an oral history of the Latin American baseball leagues of the mid–20th century. Interviews with dozens of former major league players, who participated in the winter leagues of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, provide a fascinating view of life in all of these countries during the most nostalgic era of baseball. For the majority of the players, it was the first time in their lives living in a foreign country; some of the more fortunate made trips to the Caribbean Series.
The players’ recollections range from their experiences on and off the field, to where they lived, what they ate, the ballparks, other players and irrepressible fans. The stories are often juxtaposed against the backdrop of Latin American political history, adding to the unique international flavor.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Lou Hernández
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 272
Bibliographic Info: 63 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7141-6
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9300-5
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
The Cuban Winter League
George Altman 5
Dick Brodowski 9
Dan Dobbek 15
Chico Fernández 19
Mudcat Grant 25
Buddy Hicks 33
Don Lenhardt 37
Minnie Miñoso 41
Billy O’Dell 46
Leo Posada 49
Ed Roebuck 56
Dick Schofield 62
Hal Smith 68
Bill Virdon 71
Tony Zardón 74
The Dominican Winter League
Fred Kipp 81
Norm Sherry 84
Bill White 90
Stan Williams 94
The Mexican League
Monte Irvin 104
Evans Killeen 111
The Nicaraguan Winter League
Joe Hicks 118
Jack Kubiszyn 122
Phil Regan 125
Dick Stigman 131
Jim Weaver 134
The Panamanian Winter League
Tony Bartirome 139
Jerry Davie 143
Dave Roberts 147
Dick Tracewski 153
The Puerto Rican Winter League
Pete Burnside 156
Cot Deal 160
Nino Escalera 164
Jack Fisher 169
Gene Freese 172
George Freese 175
Charlie Gorin 178
Jack Harshman 185
Earl Hersh 190
Félix Mantilla 193
Julio Navarro 198
Luis Olmo 201
José Santiago 205
Bob Smith 211
Jim Stump 214
The Venezuelan Winter League
Gary Blaylock 218
Billy DeMars 223
Ed Mickelson 227
Jack Spring 233
Gale Wade 237
Passing of an Era: Don Leppert 245
Bibliography 253
Index 255
