Habana's Adrian Zabala handed Puerto Rico its only loss in 1951 Caribbean Series

Habana teammates congratulate pitcher Adrian Zabala after he beat Santurce (Puerto Rico) 4-3 in the 1951 Caribbean Series.

It was the only defeat suffered by Series champion Puerto Rico as Habana finished second.

This photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in November 2010.

Napoleon Reyes led Marianao to 1958 Caribbean Series championship

The managers for the 1958 Caribbean Series, which was won by Cuba, represented by Club Marianao and managed by Napoleon Reyes (third from the left).

Another Cuban, Regino Otero (left), managed Venezuela's entry, Valencia, which finished last in the Series.
Puerto Rico (Caguas) was managed by Ted Norbert (second from the left) and Panama (Carta Vieja) was managed by Billy Shantz (right).

This photo was part of a lot that was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in January 2011.

Almendares won fight-mared 1959 Caribbean Series over Venezuela

Police had to intervene during what's described as a "rhubarb" between Cuba (Almendares) and Venezuela during the 1959 Caribbean Series.

Almendares, the Cuban League champion for 1958-59, went on to win the Series.

This photo was part of a lot that was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in November 2010.

Lou Klein's walk-off HR helped propel Habana to 1952 Caribbean Series title

Habana slugger Lou Klein is carried off the field after his walk-off, two-run home run to give the Leones a 3-2 victory against San Juan (Puerto Rico) in the fourth game of the 1952 Caribbean Series.

The victory gave Habana a 3-0-1 record as it went on to win the Caribbean Series.

This photo was part of lot of Sporting News archive photos that was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in November 2010.

Habana went undefeated (with one tie) to win the 1952 Caribbean Series

The 1952 Habana team that went undefeated (with one tie) to win the Caribbean Series.

One of those victories was a no-hitter thrown by Thomas Fine against Venezuela, the only no-hitter ever thrown in Caribbean Series history, according to Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961.

This image was part of a 10-photo lot that was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in October 2010.

Puerto Rico topped Bobby Bragan's Almendares, Nap Reyes' Venezuela team in 1954 Caribbean Series

Managers of the 1954 Caribbean Series.

This photo from The Sporting News archive that was up for auction at Mears Monthy Auctions in October 2010.

It shows, from left to right, Cuba (Almendares) manager Bobby Bragan, Puerto Rico (Caguas) manager Mickey Owens, Panama (Carta Vieja) manager Al Kubski and Venezuala (Pastora) manager Napoleon Reyes.

Owens' Caguas team went 4-2 in the series to give Puerto Rico the Caribbean Series title. Cuba and Panaman were tied at 3-3 and Venezuela, with Cuba's Reyes at the helm was last with a 2-4 record.

Almendares won inaugural Caribbean Series in 1949

Program for the first Caribbean Series, played at El Gran Stadium in Havana, Cuba in 1949.

It was part of a lot that was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auctions in October 2010.

Cuba, represented by 1948-49 Cuban League champion Almendares, defeated Puerto Rico, Panama and Venezuela, going 6-0 to win the inaugural title.

According to Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961, Almendares' Al Gionfriddo led all hitters in the Series with a .533 average, Hall of Famer Monte Irvin homered twice and drove in 11 runs and lefty Agapito Mayor picked up three victories.

Monte Irvin led Almendares to Cuban League, Caribbean titles

Feb. 25: On this day in 1919, Hall of Famer Monte Irvin was born in Haleburg, Ala.

Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. in 1973, Irvin was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

The former Newark Eagles and New York Giants star outfielder played two seasons for Almendares.
In the 1948-49 season, Irvin (on the cover of this Fotos magazine) led the Cuban League with 10 home runs, while driving in 53 runs, as he helped lead Almendares to the pennant by eight games over Habana.

Irvin also was instrumental in Cuba’s Caribbean Series victory following the winter league. He batted .389 and led the Series with two homers and 11 RBI as Almendares, presenting Cuba, went 6-0 to win the inaugural Caribbean Series against Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Panama.

Sandy Amoros starred with Habana, Almendares, in Caribbean Series

Jan. 30: On this day in 1930, Edmundo "Sandy" Amoros was born in Havana, Cuba.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, Amoros is best known for his game-saving catch in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Amoros (left, with Cuban baseball legend Miguel Angel Gonzalez) played six seasons for Habana and five for Almendares during 11 winters from 1950-61.

He was the the Cuban League rookie of the year in 1950-51, led the league with a .373 average in 1952-53 and ranks sixth all-time in home runs, according to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961.

Amoros also starred in the Caribbean Series, three times with Habana and once with Almendares, compiling .354 lifetime average in the event.

His best Series came in 1952 when he batted. 450 as Habana, representing Cuba, won the Series. Amoros batted .333 when Almendares won the Series in 1959.