1929-30 ALMENDARES CUBAN BASEBALL TEAM ORIGINAL PHOTO W/DIHIGO (HOF), LUNDY & MARCELLE.
Item Description
Presented here is remarkable piece of Cuban baseball history, an original 8x10" press photo depicting the Almendares Baseball Club taken by noted photographer, Antonio Tudella (stamp at lower right), at Boulanger Park in Santa Clara during the 1929-30 Cuban League season. Although the league championship went to the Cienfuegos club that season, this Almendares team boasted an unmatched trio of Negro league greats in pitcher/outfielder, Martin Dihigo (back row, 4th from left), shortstop, Richard "Dick" Lundy (back row, 3rd from left) and third baseman, Oliver "Ghost" Marcelle (front row, 2nd from right). In addition, a number of other notable individuals are pictured here including: Larry Brown (front row, 2nd from left), Jose Maria Fernandez (front row, center), Isidro Fabre (front row, far right), Cocaina Garcia (back row, far right) and Cando Lopez (back row, 5th from left). Other team members pictured are: Cesar Alvarez, Silvino Ruiz, Joseito Rodriguez and Oscar Rodriguez.
Martin Dihigo is considered by many to be the greatest all-around ballplayer, of any race, in the history of professional baseball. Born on May 25, 1905 in Matanzas, Cuba, Dihigo came to the United States as a youth with his primary position during his earliest baseball years being second base. As time went by, Dihigo would shift his defensive responsibilities to the infield corners and the outfield. Later on, Dihigo would add pitching duties to his resume and taking the field on those days when he wasn't pitching. A natural five-tool player, Dihigo had an exceptionally strong arm, great range in the field, very good speed on the bases and was a superior batter with power at the plate. Dihigo's first professional club in the U.S. Negro Leagues was the Cuban Stars where he began play in 1923 while playing winter seasons in his homeland of Cuba for the Habana ball club. Dihigo illustrious career would span four decades as a player and, later on, as a manager before finally hanging up his spikes in 1952. Along with fellow Negro League HOF'er, Willie Wells, Dihigo was one of only two players ever inducted into the American, Cuban, Mexican, Dominican and Venezuelan Baseball Halls of Fame.
Dick Lundy was widely recognized as being the second greatest shortstop in the annals of black baseball, following in the footsteps of the great John Henry "Pop" Lloyd. Lundy was born on July 10, 1898 in Jacksonville, FL, where he would ultimately spend all of his non-playing days throughout his lifetime. Lundy began his professional career in 1915 as a third baseman for his hometown team, the Duval Giants. The following season the Giants moved north and became the Bacharach Giants of Atlantic City, NJ. Dick would go on to spend many of the most productive seasons of his career there, forming the best left side of the infield in Negro League baseball along with his teammate, Oliver Marcelle. During the 1929 season, Lundy was traded to the Baltimore Black Sox where he add managerial responsibilities to his stellar playing skills. Moving around a couple of more times, Lundy finally completed his career with the Newark Eagles in 1939.
Oliver Marcelle has been mentioned along with Cooperstown selectees, Judy Johnson and Ray Dandridge as the three best third baseman in Negro League history. Marcelle was born on June 24, 1897 in Thibedeaux, LA and during his earliest baseball years, was regarded as a superior defensive third baseman, very fast, with a quick and snappy arm. Marcelle's first professional club was the 1918 Brooklyn Royal Giants, where he spent a couple of seasons, ultimately moving on to the New York Lincoln Giants as captain in 1924. The following season, Marcelle was traded in midseason to the Atlantic City team, where he became teammates with Lundy. The two became close friends and moved on together to the Baltimore Black Sox in 1929 where Oliver would spend his last couple of Negro League seasons.
Photo had some tears and creases that were all stabilized as professional and archivally paper backed. Some of these defects are now really only visible in reflected light. A more noticeable horizontal crease runs across the top but well above the player images. Trace of margin wear and some aging, mostly along top edge. Overall still presents very nicely and image is sharp and distinct. Technical grade is Good/VG.
To the best of our knowledge the presented photo is one of only two known examples with the other having sold at auction during 2019 for $2,445. Don't pass up this opportunity to secure one of the most important pieces of Cuban League baseball history, not to mention the future investment potential if one day, both Dick Lundy and Oliver Marcelle are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, thus, joining their long-time teammate, Martin Dihigo.
