Irvin, Jethroe and Gionfriddo led Almendares to 1948-49 pennant

The Almendares team that won the 1948-49 Cuban League championship by a comfortable 8-game margin over eternal rival Habana.

 

The photo was up for auction at Mears Monthly Auction in October, 2010.

Hall of Famer Monte Irvin (middle row, fifth from the left) led the league with 10 home runs while driving in 53 runs, according to Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961.

Fellow outfielder Sam Jethroe (middle row, third from right) led the league with 32 stolen bases. The third member of Almendares' starting outfield, Al Gionfriddo (back row, far right) batted .308.

Pitcher Morris Martin (seated front row, fourth from the right) took league MVP honors with a 9-2 record and a league-leading four shutouts. Octavio Rubert (seated front row, far right) led the league in winning percentage with an 8-1 record and a 1.63 ERA.