One of baseball’s enduring myths is that Cuban dictator Fidel Castro had been given a tryout by the Washington Senators in the early 1950s. The legend has it that if Fidel’s fastball had a bit more on it, U.S.-Cuban relations would be entirely different today. In fact, Castro played tennis and had no interest in a big-league career. Instead of pitching for the Senators, Castro dedicated his life to the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship, a goal he achieved in 1959 as the leader of the Cuban Revolution.
Under Castro’s regime, baseball continued to flourish, and Castro was often photographed attending ballgames throughout his time in power. Cuban-born players Sandy Amoros, Bert Campanaris, Mike Cuellar, Minnie Minoso, Tony Perez and Zoilo Versailles emerged in the Majors in the 1950s and 60s. What must have been going through Castro’s mind as MLB scouts plucked talented players from Cuban sandlots, then to see many thrive at the highest level on U.S. soil?
The enduring myth and the frequent propaganda photos have made Fidel Castro’s signature on a baseball a prize among advanced autograph collectors. A single-signed Castro ball has long been coveted in the hobby, and during the last decade of his life he ceased signing balls altogether. That’s what makes this tremendous example even more special.
Offered here is the first Fidel single-signed baseball we’ve ever had the privilege of auctioning, and what a beauty it is! On a Rawlings Official National League (Coleman) baseball with light toning, Castro has signed the south panel with the date “Abril [April in Spanish] 10, 95” in 8/10 blue ballpoint pen. This ball was signed less than a month before the Clinton administration announced a new immigration agreement on May 2, 1995, that stripped Cuban refugees of the blanket welcome they had received for decades. Includes full LOAs from JSA and PSA/DNA as well as photo documentation of the signing when it happened!