Rafael Almeida played for Habana, Almendares in 17 Cuban winters

July 30: On this day in 1887, Cuban baseball pioneer Rafael Almeida was born in Habana, Cuba.

Almeida, along with Armando Marsans, made their major-league debuts 100 years ago on July 4, 1911 with the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first Cuban-born major-league players of the modern era (Esteban Bellan had played for the Troy Haymakers of the National Association in 1871).

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, Almeida played for Habana and Almendares in 17 Cuban League seasons between 1904-25.

In the majors, Almeida (shown in this 1909 Cabañas card) played three seasons for the Reds from 1911-13, compiling a .270 batting average in 102 games.

Hall of Fame pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm played two seasons for Habana

July 26: On this day in 1922, Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm was born in Huntersville, N.C.

Wilhelm, who pitched 21 seasons in the majors and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, pitched two winters in the Cuban League for Habana from 1950-52.

Wilhelm (shown in this photo that is up for auction/sale on eBay by The Attic and Closet Collectibles) went 8-6 with a Cuban League-leading 2.36 ERA in 1950-51 and 2-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 1951-52.

Carlos 'Bebe' Royer: Record-setting pitcher at turn of the 20th century

July 26: On this day in early Cuban League star Carlos "Bebe" Royer died in Cuba.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, Royer played for Habana, Habanista, Cuba, Cubano, Almendares and Fe during 18 seasons from 1890-1911.

But his biggest impact came during his 15 seasons as a pitcher while compiling a 90-43 record.

According to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball: 1878-1961, Royer (shown in this 1909 Cabañas card) ranks second career complete games (118) and third in winning percentage (.677).

Jorge S. Figueredo's book also lists numerous Cuban League record held by Royer, including:

• Most consecutive games won (17) in a season (1902).
• Most consecutive games won (20) in two seasons (1902-03).
• Most games won (38) in two consecutive seasons (1902-03).
• Most games won (51) in three consecutive seasons (1902-04).
• Most games in (63) in four consecutive seasons (1901-04).
• Most consecutive complete games (33) in a season (1903).
• Tied for most victories (21) in a season (1903).

Sam Bankhead led Cuban League in hitting, Santa Clara to title in '37-38

July 24: On this day in 1976, Negro leagues star Sam Bankhead died in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Bankhead, whose Negro leagues career included playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, Kansas City Monarchs, Pittsburgh Crawford and Homestead Grays, played Four Cuban League seasons -- three with Santa Clara and one with Almendares -- from 1937-41.

According to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961, Bankhead lead the Cuban League in batting (.366), RBI (34), runs (47), hits (89) and triples (5) in 1937-38 as the Leopards won the Cuban League pennant.

Rene Solis helped Almendares to Cuban League pennant in 1948-49

July 23: On this day in 1926, Cuban League pitcher Rene "Tata" Solis was born in Victoria de las Tunas, Oriente, Cuba.

Solis (shown in this 1949-50 Alerta premium) played for Almendares and Cienfuegos during five Cuban League seasons from 1947-55.

His best season came in 1948-49, when Solis went 7-4 with a 2.36 ERA for Almendares as the Scorpions won the Cuban League pennant.

A waved gun once convinced Terris McDuffie to pitch on two-days rest

July 22: On this day in 1910, Negro leagues star Terris McDuffie was born in Mobile, Ala.

Elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, McDuffie played for Habana, Cienfuegos, Almendares, Marianao and Leones in eight Cuban winters between 1937-53.

Although perhaps apocryphal, one story describes how McDuffie's penchant for wine and women once came up against Adolfo Luque's famous temper.

While pitching for Marianao in 1952-53, McDuffie, probably hungover, one day refused to pitch on two-days rest, prompting Luque to call the pitcher into his office, where he pulled open a drawer in his desk and flashed a revolver.

That was enough to convince McDuffie to take the mound and he proceeded to throw a two-hitter.

Daniel Morejon was Sugar Kings' Little World Series hero in 1959

July 21: On this day in 1930, Cuban League star Daniel Morejon was born in Havana, Cuba.

He played four seasons -- three with Almendares and and one with Habana -- from 1956-61.

According to Who's Who in Cuban Baseball: 1878-1961, Morejon was the Cuban League rookie of the year in 1956-57 after batting .330 for Almendares. The following winter he led the league with nine home runs. And in 1960-61, he led the league with 17 doubles.

As a member of the minor-league Cuban Sugar Kings, Morejon led the 1959 Little World Series in batting (.407), RBI, hits, runs and doubles as the Sugar Kings beat the Minneapolis Millers.

In that series, Morejon drove in the winning run in Games 6 and 7 for Havana.