Miguel Gonzalez was a star Cuban League catcher before managing, owning Habana

Sept. 24: On this day in 1890, Cuban League legend Miguel Angel Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956, Gonzalez played 23 seasons, mostly as a catcher, in the Cuban League between 1910-36. Aside from playing 20 seasons with Habana, he also played two with Fe and one with Red Sox.

According to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Gonzalez led the Cuban League with a .432 batting average in 1932-33, ranks eight in league history in stolen bases (83) and batted over .300 in seven seasons, including three over .400.

As a manager, Gonzalez ranks first in seasons (34, of which 33 came with Habana), games (1,525), wins (851) and pennants won (14) in Cuban League history.

Gonzalez, who purchased the Habana team on Nov. 29, 1946 from the estate of Abel Linares, became the first Latino manager in major-league history when he served as a interim manager with the Cardinals in 1938 and ‘40, compiling an 9-13 record during those seasons.

Adolfo Luque, Miguel Gonzalez: Iconic Cuban League managers

Adolfo Luque (left) and Miguel Angel Gonzalez (right) during their managerial days with a man identified as Rene Canizares at Tropical Stadium in Havana.

Iconic Cuban League players, Luque and Gonzalez were both iconic Cuban League managers as well.

According to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Luque ranks second in Cuban League history in victories (705) and pennants won (11) behind Gonzalez, who holds the league record for seasons (35), games 1,525), victories (851) and pennants won (14).

This photo, part of The Sporting News Archive collection, was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in April 2011.

Miguel Angel Gonzalez played, managed, coaches with Cardinals

Cuban League legend Miguel Angel Gonzalez during his playing days with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Aside from being a legendary catcher, manager and owner with Club Habana, Gonzalez played 17 major-league seasons with the Cardinals, Giants, Cubs, Reds and Boston Braves between 1912-29.

Gonzalez (shown in this photo from The Sporting News archive that was up for auction at Mears Monthy Auctions in November 2010) also became the first Latino manager in major-league history when he served as a interim manager with the Cardinals in 1938 and '40, compiling an 9-13 record during those seasons.

A long-time coach with the Cardinals, it was Gonzalez, as the team's third base coach, who waved home Enos "Country" Slaughter on his "Mad Dash Home" in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series.

In Cuba League history, Gonzalez, who was elected into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, played 20 of his 23 seasons with Habana. Seven times he batted over .300, including three times over .400, according to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961.
As a manager in Cuban League history, Gonzalez ranks first in seasons (34, of which 33 came with Habana), games (1,525), wins (851) and pennants won (14).

Gonzalez purchased the Habana team on Nov. 29, 1946 from the estate of Abel Linares.

Miguel Angel Gonzalez managed Habana to team's and his final Cuban League pennant in 1952-53

Cover of the 1952-53 Cuban League Official Program.

That season, Miguel Angel Gonzalez managed Habana to its third consecutive pennant and 13th title in 34 seasons since 1914, according to Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961.

With Gonzalez retiring after the season, the Lions never one another league championship.

Habana's Lou Klein led the league in 1952-53 with a single-season record 16 home runs and teammate Pedro Formental drove in a league-high 57, but Marianao's Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso (.327, 13 home runs, 42 RBI) was named MVP.