Connie Marrero

2.1. Birth and Childhood

Conrado Eugenio Marrero Ramos was born on April 25, 1911, on a farm called El Laberinto in the district of Sagua la Grande, Cuba. He was of Canarian descent, reflecting the Spanish heritage common in the region. His upbringing in a rural area would later influence one of his most notable nicknames.

2.2. Nicknames and Appearance

Marrero was commonly known by his nickname "Connie." In Cuba, he earned several other nicknames that reflected his background and pitching style. These included "El Guajiro de Laberinto" (El Guajiro de Laberinto_{The Peasant from Laberinto}^Spanish), which highlighted his rural origins, as well as "El Premier" and "El Curvo" (El Curvo_{The Curvy One}^Spanish), likely referring to his curveball.

Physically, Marrero was described as being "a bit plump, of less than average height," listed at 5 in tall and weighing 158 lb ^{(158 lb)}. He had short arms and small hands, leading to observations that in uniform, he looked "like someone in a baseball costume, not a player," and more like "a Spanish grocer or peasant than an athlete."

3.1. Amateur Career

Marrero began his baseball career relatively late, at age 27, when he was invited to pitch for the Cienfuegos team in the Cuban Amateur League in 1938. This league played on Sundays from March through September, and Marrero was employed by the team's department store sponsor during the week. He quickly became one of the most popular and successful pitchers in the league's history, accumulating 123 wins between 1938 and 1945. During his amateur years, Marrero was considered a bigger draw than any professional pitcher in Cuba.

From 1939 to 1943, Cuba hosted the second through sixth Amateur World Series competitions at La Tropical Stadium in Havana. Marrero was a key pitcher for the Cuba national baseball team in these tournaments.

• 1939 Amateur World Series:** In 1939, at the second Amateur World Series, the first in which Cuba competed, only three teams participated, and Cuba easily won. Marrero contributed a victory in the only game he pitched.
• 1940 Amateur World Series:** In the third Amateur World Series in 1940, Marrero led the Cuban team to victory, achieving a 3-2 record with a 1.15 ERA and earning the most valuable player award for the series.
• 1941 Amateur World Series:** During the fourth Amateur World Series in 1941, Marrero secured three wins. The series concluded in a tie between Cuba and the Venezuela team, which relied heavily on the pitching of Daniel Canónico. A playoff game was scheduled to allow Canónico rest. On October 23, 1941, Marrero faced Canónico for the championship. Venezuela scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, aided by an error from Cuba's third baseman. Marrero was pulled after two innings, and Canónico held Cuba scoreless until the ninth, leading Venezuela to a 3-1 victory and their first Amateur World Series title.
• 1942 Amateur World Series:** Marrero's best amateur season was in 1942, with a 22-5 record and a 1.22 ERA. For the fifth Amateur World Series, he was the top vote-getter in a fan poll to select the Cuban national team. In a rematch against Venezuela's Canónico, Cuba won decisively with an 8-0 score, regaining the Cup.
• 1943:** In 1943, Marrero was suspended from the Amateur League for six months for accepting payment for a game, which prevented his selection for the Amateur World Series team.
• 1944 Amateur World Series:** He returned in 1944 with a 21-8 season and was again selected for the Amateur World Series team. The series, held in Caracas, Venezuela, ended controversially in a three-way tie among Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba, necessitating a playoff. However, Cuba withdrew from the tournament in protest due to questionable calls by Venezuelan umpires.
• 1945:** In 1945, Marrero pitched for Cienfuegos in the Amateur League again but received an indefinite suspension after being caught pitching in a non-league game for a second time. Following this, he decided to turn professional.

3.2. Cuban League Career

In the winter of 1946-47, Marrero signed with the Oriente team in the National Federation League, where he had a strong season with an 8-5 record, leading the league in victories. After the Federation season concluded, he joined the Almendares team of the regular Cuban League for its final month. Although he played a minor role, pitching in four games and going 1-0, he was part of the winning team in one of the most famous pennant races in Cuban League history.

In the spring of 1947, Marrero, as part of a Cuban all-star team, had the opportunity to pitch against Major League teams during spring training in Havana. He defeated the New York Yankees in a rain-shortened seven-inning game, allowing only one run and four hits. A week later, pitching for the minor league Havana Cubans, he suffered a tough 1-0 loss against the Brooklyn Dodgers, giving up four hits and striking out eight.

For the 1947-48 Cuban League season, Marrero returned to Almendares, which was now officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball. This season was arguably his best, as he posted a 12-2 record, setting Cuban League all-time records for shutouts (eight) and ERA (1.12 ERA), and earning the Most Valuable Player award. However, Almendares, tied with the Habana team with one game remaining, lost the pennant to Habana's Alex Patterson in a 3-2 game.

In the 1948-49 season, Marrero went 6-4, as Almendares easily secured another pennant. As league champions, Almendares represented Cuba in the inaugural Caribbean Series held in Havana in 1949. Cuba swept the series, with Marrero contributing a one-run, four-hit, complete-game victory in his sole appearance. In the 1949-50 season, Marrero recorded a 7-3 record and led the Cuban League with a 2.66 ERA, as Almendares again won the pennant. At the second Caribbean Series, Marrero went 0-2 as Cuba was upset by Panamá. The following winter, Marrero posted an 11-7 record with a 2.37 ERA, leading the Cuban League in wins and innings pitched. However, Almendares was edged out by Habana for the pennant in a one-game playoff. In the 1951-52 season, Marrero's record was 6-9, and the next winter, he went 8-8.

In the 1953-54 season, Marrero went 7-5, helping Almendares regain the pennant. In the sixth Caribbean Series, Marrero pitched a shutout in his only appearance, but Puerto Rico ultimately won the series. In 1954-55, Marrero's record was 2-3, and he began to be used primarily in relief. Almendares won the pennant and advanced to the Caribbean Series, but Marrero did not make an appearance. In 1955-56, Marrero took on the role of manager for Almendares, but the team finished in last place, leading to a short managerial tenure. He pitched in four games, going 1-0. After being released by Almendares, Marrero signed with the Tigres de Marianao for the 1956-57 season, where he pitched 19 innings across seven games with a 1.37 ERA. Marianao won the pennant, and Marrero pitched in his final Caribbean Series, lasting 3.3 innings against Panamá in a game eventually won by his teammate, Jim Bunning. Cuba went on to secure their fourth victory in nine series appearances. The subsequent season, 1957-58, was Marrero's last as a player, as he pitched only four innings in three appearances.

Marrero concluded his Cuban League career with a record of 69-43. His .600 winning percentage ranks as the sixth highest in league history among pitchers with at least 40 wins. Notably, three of the five pitchers with a higher career winning percentage are enshrined in the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame: José Méndez, Ray Brown, and Martín Dihigo; the other two are Carlos Royer and Camilo Pascual. Despite not pitching in the Cuban League until he was 35 years old, his 69 victories place him 10th on the Cuban League's all-time wins list.

5.1. Debut and Performance

From 1950 to 1954, Connie Marrero pitched for the American League Washington Senators. During this period, the Senators' roster also included several other Cuban players, such as pitchers Sandy Consuegra and Camilo Pascual, and catcher Mike Guerra. The Senators were a second-division team during Marrero's tenure, never finishing higher than fifth place in the eight-team league.

Marrero made his Major League debut on April 21, 1950. At 38 years old, he was one of the oldest players in the league throughout his time in the major leagues.

• 1950:** In his debut season, he pitched 152 innings across 27 games (19 of them starts), finishing with a 6-10 record and a 4.50 ERA.
• 1951:** Marrero led his team in both wins and innings pitched, going 11-9 in 187 innings with a 3.90 ERA. On April 26, 1951, he pitched a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Athletics, securing a 2-1 victory. The only hit he allowed was a home run by Barney McCosky.
• 1952:** He posted an 11-8 record with a 2.88 ERA, which ranked ninth in the league, as Washington improved to a 78-76 record.
• 1953:** The following year, he went 8-7 with a 3.03 ERA.
• 1954:** In his final Major League season, he was the oldest player in the league. His performance declined to a 3-6 record with a 4.75 ERA. He was released by the Senators on January 24, 1955, at the age of 43.

Marrero concluded his Major League career with a 39-40 win-loss record and a 3.67 ERA. His ERA was eight percent better than the league average after adjusting for ballpark differences. In his 94 starts, he completed 51 games, including seven shutouts.

5.2. All-Star Selection

Connie Marrero was selected to the 1951 American League All-Star team. Although he did not play in the game, his selection was significant because, at age 40, he was the oldest first-time All-Star to that point in Major League Baseball history.

8.1. Oldest Player Status

Connie Marrero achieved the distinction of being the oldest living former Major League Baseball player. He gained this status following the death of Tony Malinosky on February 8, 2011, at the age of 101. Marrero celebrated his 102nd birthday on April 25, 2013, solidifying his place as a centenarian among baseball alumni.

8.2. Death

Connie Marrero passed away on April 23, 2014, at his home in Havana, Cuba. He died just two days shy of his 103rd birthday. Following his death, Mike Sandlock, then 98 years old, became the oldest living former Major League Baseball player.

9.1. Standing in Cuban Baseball

Connie Marrero holds a highly respected position in the history of Cuban baseball. His extensive and successful career in both amateur and professional leagues in Cuba, combined with his decision to remain in the country after the revolution, cemented his status as a national baseball icon. He served as a crucial link between different eras of Cuban baseball, contributing to the sport's continuity and development on the island. His popularity and achievements made him a beloved figure among Cuban baseball fans.

9.2. Honors and Recognition

Marrero's significant contributions to baseball were widely recognized.

• He was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
• His achievements in the Amateur World Series include:
  • Gold Medals:** 1939 Havana, 1940 Havana, 1942 Havana (all with the Team Cuba).
  • Silver Medal:** 1941 Havana (with Team Cuba).
  • Bronze Medal:** 1944 Caracas (with Team Cuba).
• He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1940 Amateur World Series.
• In the Cuban League, he set all-time records for shutouts (eight) and ERA (1.12 ERA) in the 1947-48 season, for which he also won the Most Valuable Player award.
• In Minor League Baseball, he won the Florida International League MVP award in 1949 and set a league record with 44 consecutive scoreless innings.
• He was selected to the 1951 American League All-Star team, becoming the oldest first-time All-Star at age 40.

10.1. Cuban League Statistics

10.2. Minor League Statistics

10.3. Major League Baseball Statistics