Considered one of the most versatile players in
baseball, Martin Dihigo was born on May 25, 1905 in Cuba. He began as a 17 year old second baseman in
1923 with the Cuban Stars of the new Eastern Colored League (ECL). However; by the time his 22 year career
ended, 12 of which were in Negro League baseball, Dihigo had played every
position except catcher and performed at each as an All Star. In a 1981 poll of former Negro League players
and black newspaper sportswriters, he got votes for the best outfielder, third
baseman, and second baseman in Negro League baseball. Dihigo had a strong arm for pitching and
speed to cover ground in the outfield and steal bases. A right handed power hitter, he was among the
league leaders in home runs and batting average each year. In addition to playing with the Cuban Starts
East (1923 – 27, 1930), Dihigo also dawned the uniforms of the Homestead Grays
(1928), Hilldale Daisies (1929, 1931), and the New York Cubans (1935 – 36, 1945). He is one of only two players in the National
Baseball Hall of Fame (1977 inductee) and the Baseball Halls of Fame of both
Mexico and Cuba.
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