Martin Dihigo was perhaps the most versatile player in baseball history

May 25: On this day in 1906, Hall of Famer Martin Dihigo was born in Matanzas, Cuba.

Known in Cuba as El Maestro or El Inmortal, The Immortal One, Dihigo is shown in this 1946-47 Sensacion premium.

He compiled a 107-56 record in 20 seasons in Cuba -- 18 in the Cuban League and two independent seasons while pitching for Habana, Almendares, Marianao, Almendarista, Santa Clara and Cienfuegos.
Considered one of the most versatile players in baseball history, Dihigo -- the only player enshrined in the Halls of Fame in Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and the United State -- pitched, played almost every position on the field and was a successful manager.

According to Who’s Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Dihigo ranks first in Cuban baseball in wins (107) and complete games (121). He's tied for the most times (four) winning 10 or more games in a winter league seasons. He was named MVP four times: 1927-28, 1935-36, '36-37 and '41-42.

As a hitter, Dihigo was a .296 career hitter in 21 winters in Cuba. In 1935-36 while playing for Santa Clara, Dihigo led the Cuban League in hitting (.358), runs (42), hits (63), triples (eight) and RBI (38).

Twice he hit over .400 in the Cuban League -- .413 in 1926-27 and .415 in 1927-28. He also hit .450 during the 1926-27 independent season for Marianao.
As a manager in Cuba, Dihigo led Santa Clara to the pennant in 1935-36 and Marianao to the title the following season.

In the Negro leagues, Dihigo played for the Cuban Stars, Homestead Grays, Hilldale Daisies, Baltimore Black Sox and New York Cubans.

Dihigo was elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951, and he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. in 1977 by the Negro Leagues Committee.

Jose Mendez was a star of the Cuban and Negro leagues

Nov. 6: On this date in 1928, Hall of Fame pitcher Jose Mendez died in Havana, Cuba.

A Cuban League and Negro leagues star, Mendez compiled a 76-28 record 13 seasons in Cuba, pitching for Almendares, Santa Clara and Matanzas.

Enshrined in the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame since 1939, Mendez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., by a special election of Negro League players in 2006.

This charcoal sketch by a Bohemia magazine artist named Rivadulla was up for auction at Leland's in June 2005. The penciled notation at the bottom reads: "Publicado Feb. 12 de 1950 Bohemia Ano 42 Num. 7," "Published Feb. 12, 1950, Bohemia Year No. 42, Issue No. 7."

Negro leagues star Oscar Charleston also starred in Cuban League

Oct. 6: On this date in 1954, Oscar Charleston died.

The Negro leagues star also was a star in the Cuban League, playing seven seasons between 1920-30 for Bacharach, Santa Clara, Almendares, Habana, Cuba and Marianao.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, Charleston -- according to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961 -- tops the all-time Cuban League list in career batting average (.360). He twice led the league in batting average and twice led the league in stolen bases.

This photo is from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's eMuseum website.

Charleston, who was born Oct. 14, 1896, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. in 1976.