Long Branch Cubans

[Jason19th]

A bit of an update on my Long Branch Collection. Over the past year I have stumbled on to a couple of nice items. Most importantly I think I may have found the only example of a Ramon Herrera auto on a baseball. Its on a team ball for the 1926 Richmond Colts. Also I have added a 1919 Dolf Luque type one photo and a cut auto. I have had to settle for Helmar art card of Tomas Romanach (if anyone has any leads to actual vintage item I would be thankful) I have also added a Mike Gonzalez strip car and branched items from the teams second generation with a Havana team sheet circa 1951 with Gilberto Torres (son of Ricardo) and a post card of Angel Aragon Jr (who played one game with the Giants). As always would love to see any items from this team

[jerseygary]

I wrote a story about the Long Branch Cubans' shortstop, Tomas Romanach. Before he retired in the early 1920's, Tomás Romañach would have several flirtations with the Major Leagues, be one of the few men to play in both the white minor leagues and the Negro leagues and would be remembered as being one of the best shortstops in outsider baseball.

Romanach was repeatedly courted by the Cincinnati Reds, but he never would report. His friend Armando Marsans told reporters that Romanach was afraid he would not make good and be humiliated.

You can read the story HERE

[Jason19th]

In my quest to collect the Long Branch Cubans I thought that Angel Villazon may be impossible. He pitched great for the 1913 team going 20-8 for the pennant winners and then was purchased by Boston (Braves) and had a year or two with the Macon team but never really made it. Also for some reason though he was listed as only 21 when he went 20-8 he seems to have disappeared by the time he turned 24. I don't know if it was an arm injury or just a better job outside baseball. As far as I can tell the only images of Angel are on this poster put out by ICN in 1914- he is the player standing in the zoomed in shot . The image shows him just after his purchase by the Braves in his new uniform. As always would love any additional info on the player or team

[Jason19th]

thanks to a fellow board member I have crossed a major need off my long branch list with a copy of the 1913 team postcard. Also recently picked up a Fatima Washington with Jack Calvo and wanted to show of very rare Mike Gonzalez 1943 premium

[Jason19th]

Also in a more recent discovery in my own collection I found that this rare Mexican baseball book contained images and a summery of Luis Padron's 1905 season in Mexico

[Jason19th]

Play ball -Gonzales
Billliken -Acosta
Tomas Gutierrez -Herrera
Aguilitas- Acosta
Team photo with Jacinto Calvo in street clothes - any ideas on the team would welcome

[Jason19th]

Have picked up a number of rare - possibly one of a kind itemsover the last six months

1. 1904 issue of El Score with Padron on cover
2. 1914 page from Grafico which has only image I have seen of Miguel Gonzales in full Long Branch uniform
3. 1923 supplement/cut out with Acosta Calvo and Luque - along with some guys named Lloyd and Charleston