Today we remember the life and times of Martin Dihigo, the great Cuban player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into Cooperstown this week in 1977.
Dihigo was born in 1905 and played in the Negro Leagues from 1923-47. He was 42 by the time that Jackie Robinson broke “the color line” in 1947. Therefore, Martin never got to wear a major league uniform. We do know that Buck Leonard, the legendary player and manager of the Kansas City Monarchs said this:
“He was the greatest all-around player I know. I say he was the best player of all time, black or white. He could do it all.”
He hit .304 over a 12-year career in the Negro Leagues.
P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Click to listen to our podcast about Martin: