Martín Dihigo


Martín Magdaleno Dihigo Llanos was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played in Negro league baseball and Latin American leagues from 1923 to 1936 as a pitcher and second baseman, although he excelled at several positions.

Early career

Dihigo was born in the sugarmill Jesús María in Matanzas Province, Cuba. He began his professional career in the winter of 1922/23 at the age of 16 as a substitute infielder for Habana in the Cuban League. His first summer in United States baseball came in as a first baseman for the Negro leagues' Cuban Stars. He played in the Negro leagues from 1923 through and again briefly in. Over the course of his career, he played all nine positions. As a hitter, he led the Negro leagues in home runs in and. As a pitcher, he once defeated Satchel Paige when the latter was touring Cuba.

Negro leagues

Dihigo's career record in twelve seasons in the Negro leagues was a.307 average and.511 slugging percentage, with 431 hits, 64 home runs, 61 doubles, 17 triples, 227 RBIs, and 292 runs scored in 1404 at bats. He drew 143 walks and stole 41 bases. As a pitcher, he went 26–19 with a 2.92 ERA, with 176 strikeouts and 80 walks in 354 innings.

Mexican and Cuban leagues

Although a two-time All-Star in the American Negro leagues, Dihigo's greatest season came in the Mexican League in, with Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz where he went 18-2 with a 0.90 ERA as a pitcher, while winning the batting title with a.387 average. In another season in the Mexican League, he had a 0.15 ERA. In his Mexican career, he was 119-57 with a.317 batting average. In the Cuban League, he was 107-56 with a.298 average. Dihigo continued his playing career in Mexico into the early 1950s. He was Cuba's Minister of Sport from 1959 until his death, where he was called "The Immortal". In other Latin American countries, he was called "El Maestro", translated as "The Master".

Career stats

Combining his Dominican, American, Cuban and Mexican statistics results in a lifetime.302 career batting average with 130 home runs and a 252-132 pitching record.

Post career

After retiring, Dihigo became a radio announcer for the Cuban Winter League. He fled Cuba in 1952 to protest the rise of Fulgencio Batista. He managed the Leones del Caracas in the 1953 Caribbean Series but finished last. Dihigo returned to Cuba when Castro took power, and was appointed the minister of sports. He taught programs for amateur baseball players that the new government opened

Death and Hall of Fame Inductions

He died five days before his 65th birthday in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Known as a humorous, good-natured man as well as a versatile player, Dihigo was elected to the American Baseball Hall of Fame in. Dihigo was also inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
Along with Willie Wells, Dihigo is just one of two players to be inducted to the American, Cuban, Mexican,
Dominican Republic and Venezuelan Baseball Halls of Fame.
Martín Dihigo's stature as a ballplayer is reflected in this conversation between former Dodgers general manager Al Campanis and broadcaster Jaime Jarrín:
Martín Dihigo is buried in Cementerio Municipal Cruces in Cruces, Cienfuegos, Cuba.