New York Cubans

New York Cubans

A resurrection of owner Alex Pompez's Cuban Stars from earlier years, the Cubans played in the Negro National League from 1935 to 1950 except for two seasons (1937-1938). Playing their home games in the Polo Grounds, they fielded a strong ballclub in 1935, winning the second half title, but lost the league championship playoffs to the powerful Pittsburgh Crawfords, 4 games to 3.

After a losing season in 1936, the Cubans did not field a team for two seasons, but rejoined the Negro National League in 1939, and two years later again captured the second half title, but lost to the Homestead Grays in the league championship playoffs, 3 games to 1. Finally, in 1947, the Cubans copped a pennant, and then captured the championship by defeating the Negro American League's Cleveland Buckeyes in the ensuing World Series. After the Negro National League folded following the 1948 season, the Cubans joined the Eastern Division of the Negro American League.

Source: James A. Riley, The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues, New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., 1994.

Duration:
1935-1950

Honors:
Second Half Champions (1935, 1941), World Series Champions (1947)

Affiliations:
Negro National League (1935-1936, 1939-1948), Negro American League (1949-1950)