Alejandro Crespo led Cienfuegos to Cuban League title in 1945-46

Feb. 26: On this day in 1916, Cuban League star Alejandro Crespo was born in Guira de Melena, Habana, Cuba.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, Crespo played 15 seasons in the Cuban League between 1939-54, 11 with Cienfuegos.

Crespo (shown in this 1949-50 Carteles premium) ranks first in Cuban League history in career doubles (130), second in RBI (415), fourth in hits (794), tied for fifth in triples (39) and sixth in runs scored (369), according to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball: 1878-1961.

He was named the league MVP in 1945-46, leading Cienfuegos to the Cuban League pennant by six games over Habana. Crespo also led the league in batting in 1942-43 (.337) and 1948-49 (.326).