Marrero & Estalella: Two Cubans who played baseball in the 1950’s

Conrado “Connie” Marrero was born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, on this day in 1911. He died in 2014. 

Marrero was born in my father’s hometown and pitched in the majors in the 1950’s with the Washington Senators.   He was 39-40 with a 3.67 ERA & selected to the 1951 AL All Star team.  Without question, Marrero’s record has to be seen in the context that the Senators were a very bad team.  

Roberto Ventoza Estalella was born in Cardenas, Cuba, on April 25, 1911.Bobby, as he was known, made it to the majors in 1935.   

He played 9 years and retired with a very good .282 batting average with the old Senators (now the Twins) and the A’s.  Victor, his son, and grandson Robert, also played in the major leagues.

Bobby died in 1991 and is buried in Miami.

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