Almendares' Sam Jethroe twice led Cuban League in stolen bases

 June 16: On this day in 2001, Sam Jethroe died in Erie, Penn.

Jethroe, who played for the Cleveland Buckeyes -- among other teams -- in the Negro leagues, and for the Boston Braves (1950-52) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1954) in the majors, played three seasons in Cuba.

He played for Almendares in 1947-48 and 1948-49, leading the Cuban League in stolen bases both seasons with 22 and 32 steals, respectively, according to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961. And his 1948-49 squad won the Cuban League pennant. He also played for Cienfuegos in 1954-55.

In the majors, Jethroe, at age 32, became the oldest rookie of the year when he won the award in 1950 with the Braves.

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.