Edmundo Amoros Isasi was born on January 30th, 1930 in La Habana, Cuba. He was the youngest of six children born to Guillermo Amoros and Caridi Isasi. Guillermo, who labored in the sugar fields, died when his little boy was only 3. Caridi supported her family by working in a textile mill. Young Edmundo attended school for 8 years, but he too went to work in the mill when he was 14 1/2.
The small but speedy youth played baseball from an early age; he was already talented enough to hold his own with older players in Mantanzas. When he was 17, the young black man drew more inspiration from his future teammate. The Dodgers held spring training in Havana that year, and Amoros later remarked, ” when I see Jackie Robinson play in my country, I say if he can do it, I can do it too“.
In the baseball structure in Cuba before Castro, the cutoff point for the juveniles division was 20. In 1949 at age 19, Amoros won a batting title in this division. This is significant because even well into his big-league career, newspapers and his Topps baseball cards all said he was born in 1932. Yet by 1951 he had turned pro at home. Clearly, he had shaved a couple of years off of his age for US purposes.
In early 1950, he gained international exposure. The Central American and Caribbean Games took place. Cuba won all 7 of their games in the tournament. They were led by Amoros who hit .370 with 6 homers and 14 RBIs. Author Peter Bjarkman described Amoros and pitcher, Justiniano Garay as ” two token blacks” carried on Cuba’s roster as racial integration slowly and quietly arrived within Cuban amateur baseball.
Amoros played with the New York Cubans in 1950. Keeping stats in a league like that back in the day was not something they did like they do today. In 1951, he then went on to play in the Dominican League which had just started up again. They would not begin winter leagues until 1955. He hit .392 with 20 runs scored for the San Pedro de Macoris team.
That winter while playing for the Havana team he attracted the attention of Billy Herman, the Dodger coach who was managing the Cienfuegos team. He alerted Al Campanis and Campanis signed Amoros for $1,000.00. That spring Sandy made his minor league debut with the St. Paul Saints, Brooklyn’s other AAA affiliate along with Montreal. His nickname, Sandy, was given to him at that time by a teammate, Bert Haas, who had also been his teammate in Havana. It was because he resembled featherweight boxing champ, Sandy Saddler. He hit .337/18/78 and on August 21, 1952, the Dodgers announced they were sending down pitcher, Chris Van Cuyk and calling up Amoros.
In his first at-bat he singled off of Woody Main and came all the way around to score as the ball went through the legs of CF, Brandy Davis. It was reported he was right on the heels of Gil Hodges. He hit .250 the rest of the way. MLB changeups would fool him. He was on the Series roster but only got into one game as a pinch-runner. That winter he played in Cuba again and hit .373. The highest mark there in more than 30 years.
For various reasons, Amoros spent the entire 1953 season with Montreal. Hitting .353, won the batting crown and added 23 dingers and 100 RBIs. The club may have wanted additional seasoning because Sandy still spoke limited English. Don Thompson, Shuba, and Robinson saw most of the action in left field. Sandy’s main English words were okay and steak. He had a very limited vocabulary. But another reason was he was delayed coming to the US by the McCarran Act. The McCarran Internal Security Act was controversial law aimed at subversives and passed over the veto of President Truman while the Senate was in the grip of McCarthyism. People faced tougher immigration and entry into the US because of this act in 1952.
He had another excellent winter with Cuba, then had a very good spring with the Dodgers. But again he was sent back to Montreal in mid-May when they had to meet roster limits. It was also at this time that most began to believe a lot of this was racially motivated. If Sandy were to play on the day that Newcombe pitched, it would give the Dodgers five players of color in the starting lineup, Campy, Robinson, Gilliam, Amoros, and Newk. MLB was not ready in 1954 for that to happen.
But when Amoros returned in July, this lineup was finally on the field for the first time on July 17th in Milwaukee. Six days later, Amoros hit his first MLB homer off of Vic Raschi. 1954 was also notable for the controversy surrounding the Dodgers trying to hide Roberto Clemente in Montreal. We all know how that worked out. Amoro’s hit .274/9/34. Most of his ABs were coming against RHP.
Right after Christmas, he married his childhood sweetheart, Migdalia Castro. They may have had a child on the way already. Articles from 1967 show his daughter’s age as 13. Following another fine winter campaign in Cuba, he finally became the Dodgers’ regular left fielder. He played in 119 games and had 388 at-bats, both career highs. The stats were nothing special, .247/10/51. But his World Series performance was about to immortalize him in Brooklyn lore. He went 4-12 in five games and then he entered game 7 as a defensive replacement in left field.
Billy Martin led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk. Gil McDougald then bunted his way on. Here is Yankee broadcaster Mel Allen’s call as Berra comes to the plate. ” Johnny Podres on the mound, Dodgers leading 2-0. The outfield is swung around to the right, and Amoros is playing in left-center. Berra is basically a pull hitter.
” Here’s the pitch, Berra swings and does he hit one to the opposite field, down the left-field line… Amoros races over toward the foul line… and he makes a sensational running one-handed catch! He turns, whirls and fires to Pee Wee Reese. Reese fires to Hodges in time to double up McDougald. And the Yankees rally is stymied! “.
When asked later how he made the catch, Amoro’s replied “I dunno. I just run like hell“. Alston’s move to insert Sandy and move Gilliam to second had paid off huge. Zimmer of course took credit for getting replaced by Gilliam. Podres said a huge part of how great the play was, was Sandy firing the ball into Reese. 3 innings later, Brooklyn had their first and only World Championship. Before we continue this tale, just think about that for a minute. From 1890 to 1955, the Dodgers made trips to the Series in 16, 20, 41, 47, 49, 52, 53, and had not won. But we LA fans have enjoyed 6 wins in the 64 years the Dodgers have been in LA. Yeah, they probably could have had a couple more, but we are really lucky that we did not have to wait 65 years for the first.
Sandy played in Cuba for the final time that winter. He batted under .300 there for the first time. He enjoyed his best season in Brooklyn in 1956, hitting 16 HRs and driving in 58. But he went totally cold in the series going 1-19 in six games with one near miss. In game six, he hit a drive that hooked barely foul. That was Larsen’s perfect game.
He platooned with Gino Cimoli in left field in 57. When the Dodgers moved to LA he got put on waivers in March. It was claimed that there was a huge salary dispute with the team when he refused to sign for the same $10,500 he got in 57. He was sent down to Montreal again where he had a decent year. He also had a nice 1959 season there. But in May of 1960, they traded him to the Tigers for 1st baseman, Gail Harris. It would be his last season in the majors.
When he got home to Cuba, there was revolution in the air. The Cuban league would shut down operations after the winter of 60-61. He played with Denver in the American Association, but in March, the Tigers sold him to the Mexico City Red Devils. He played well, .305/13/71, but his days on the field were over as he hit a new obstacle.
Author Nicolas Dawidoff, perhaps best known for his book on Moe Berg, ” The Catcher Was a Spy“, provided many insights into Sandy’s life with an article he wrote for Sports Illustrated in July 1989. He described how things went downhill because of a run-in with El Lider Maximo, Fidel Castro.
Castro had decided to form an entire professional summer league in Cuba. He asked Amoros, who, as usual, was spending his offseason in Cuba, to stay home and manage one of those teams instead of returning to Mexico that summer. He told Castro, he did not know how to manage, he could still play, why would he want to manage? Privately he had qualms about working for the government.
Castro did not take his refusal lightly. He stripped him of his ranch, car, all his assets, and cash. Sandy took whatever work he could find. His reduced circumstances led to other problems. The collapse of the winter leagues led to tragic consequences for many players. The diaspora began, Amoros, for instance, could not leave the country for many years. During this time he became an alcoholic and developed diabetes. When he did finally leave, the Dodgers put him on their roster for a while so he could get the time he needed for his pension.
That was in 1967. John McHale, then assistant to commissioner Spike Eckert, When the future executive of the Montreal Expos found out Sandy was seven days short of qualifying, he took it to Buzzie Bavasi, who in turn, presented it to Walter O’Malley.
Over the next several years, his health would be bad, and he would be out of work for stretches of time. Chico Fernandez in 1987 got BAT, Baseball Assistance Team to augment his $495 dollars a month pension with an additional 400 dollars. He was now living in Florida. He moved in with his daughter and her family in Miami in late 1991. A New York Times article had him back in the spotlight and he was supposed to travel back to Brooklyn in June of 92 for the Coney Island Sports Festival. June 20 was Sandy Amoros day. But it was not to be. On June 16th, he went into the hospital for pneumonia. It looked like he was rallying when he was put on a respirator, but then he started going downhill and passed away on June 27. He is buried in Miami.
More than 60 years after his greatest feat, Edmundo Amoros is still known in the United States and celebrated as a hero in Cuba. Through all of his trials, one thing remained constant about Sandy. That huge wonderful smile.
Discussion (15)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Since our leader MT makes some bold (Wild Ass Guesses) predictions from time-to-time…. I’m making one. Cody Bellinger will be sent down at some point. I think he may have 20-40 games to turn it around, but after what seems like two seasons waiting for a return to MVP form AF will make a move. Cannot continue to try and have him “figure it out” at the big league level. To think I’m often happy when I see a weak IF hit or a BB and quickly think he’s making progress kind of tells me where I think he’s at with his offensive game. His mindset, his set up, his stance are messed up.
I’m watching the Twins broadcast and even their announcers commented something to the effect, “something is up with Bellinger, he looks completely lost.”
Just what I was saying a few days ago: “add base stealing to your arsenal”.
It’s amazing how the Dodgers made that scoring run, I want more of that !!!
He has five deer: Trea, Mookie, Belli, Lux and CT3, use them, put them to run !!!
Should have been out of the inning without a run scoring. Wet ground and a really bad flip by Turner cost a run. Top of the lineup is ofer. Again.
Not many here thought Heaney would be the Ace of the Staff.
Dodgers Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
LOS ANGELES DODGERS CELEBRATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF JACKIE ROBINSON BREAKING THE COLOR BARRIER
Members of the Robinson family scheduled to attend events prior to game
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Dodgers Foundation (LADF) have planned multiple events throughout Los Angeles to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
The events are listed in sequential order:
Friday, April 15:
What: Jackie Robinson LA Reads Series Launch
Five hundred and seventy five (575) students will witness David Robinson, David Price, Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson read “I Am Jackie Robinson” by Brad Melter and each will receive a copy of the book.
Where: Longfellow Elementary School
1065 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Time: Media check in at 8:30 a.m.
Who: David Robinson – Son of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Ayo Robinson – Granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
David Price – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Nichol Whiteman – CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Tony Thurmond – California State Superintendent
Dr. Brian McDonald – Pasadena Superintendent
Kate Zarouk – Executive Director, Water Buffalo Club
Curtis Granderson – Founder, The Players Alliance
Edwin Jackson – Founder, The Players Alliance
Friday, April 15:
What: Special Jackie Robinson Mural Tribute
Where: John Muir High School
1905 Lincoln Ave Pasadena, CA 91103
Time: Media check in at 10:30 a.m.
Who: David Robinson – Son of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Ayo Robinson – Granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Naomi Rodriguez – VP, External Affairs & Community Relations for LAD
Jonas Never – Muralist
Dr. Lawton Gray – Principal, John Muir High School
Friday, April 15:
What: Team talk at Jackie Robinson statue
Where: Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium
Time: Media check in at 2:30 p.m.
Who: David Robinson – Son of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Full Dodgers team
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation/Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars
Saturday, April 16:
What: Dodgers Dreamfields Phase 2 unveiling of Gonzales Park, home to Jackie Robinson Stadium, Rachel Robinson Field, Field 42 and the Kershaw’s Challenge Training and Fitness Zone, featuring solar arrays and EV car ports and field upgrades. Following a brief program, Centennial High School and King Drew Magnet High School will play a celebratory 75th anniversary baseball game at Jackie Robinson Stadium while 100 Dodgers Dreamteam youth participate in a STEM Field Day, putting to practice LADF’s Science of Baseball curriculum and use applications of science and math to connect to baseball concepts through various stations.
Where: Gonzales Park
1101 W. Cressey St., Compton, CA 90222
Who: Nichol Whiteman – CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
David Robinson – Son of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Ayo Robinson – Granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson
Clayton Kershaw – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Founder of Kershaw’s Challenge (Project Partner)
Emma Sharif – Mayor, City of Compton
Darin Brawley – Compton Unified Superintendent
About the Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with seven World Series championships and 24 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world. Visit the Dodgers online at http://www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Dodgers. For media information, visit http://www.dodgerspressbox.com
About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Bigger than baseball, LADF envisions a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive. Since 1995, LADF has invested more than $40 million in programs and grants to nonprofits leveling the playing field. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport’s Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion. To learn more, visit dodgers.com/LADF, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram, @dodgersfoundation, and like them on Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.
Then, there is this:
https://www.mlb.com/news/vin-scully-baseball-digest-lifetime-achievement-award
Teams may have all started at the same time. But, some players were ahead of others. Those minor leaguers for instance who were already in camp and had been for a couple of weeks. Baseball players by nature, are creatures of habit. Especially pitchers. I used to hear 10 year vets saying, I only need 50 at bats to be ready. Others saying they needed more. Rarely have I heard a player say less than that and I will be good to go. There has been a ton of speculation that Betts is still having problems with his hip. No proof of that, but speculation all the same. Bellinger, who finally has a strong shoulder, spent most of his spring training trying to find his swing. At the end of spring, neither it, or his timing had appeared. Anyone who expected Muncy to be 100% coming out of spring has a screw or two loose. Not only was his timing off, he rarely squared one up. But you could go up and down the roster and find faults with all of them. Their best hitters in spring were a player coming back from injurie, Rios, a non roster invitee, Lamb, and another older player with little experience. Alvarez. Vargas was the most impressive rookie in camp. So let them have a little time to settle in. In a few weeks we should have a better idea what kind of a team AF has assembled. Pollock placed on the 10 day IL.
My two cents is that I don’t think the Dodgers felt it was wise to bring this team out of the gate at a gallop.
Yes, I know the games count the same in April as September, but after the disappointment of last year, I think they do not feel the urgency NOW as they think they will LATER! We shall see if that bites them…
Continuing a discussion from yesterday…..
‘……….The Dodgers got off to a slow start this Spring and have carried it over to the regular season but it might have helped if they had more of a chance to get ready for the season.’ – DodgerRick
‘Every MLB team started and ended ST the same time. Nothing but excuses when referencing the shortened spring training. Or if I was a Colorado fan maybe I say too bad we didn’t have more ST we might have swept them boys from LA.’ – Chili (Me)
‘Wow, you really missed his point by saying that. Yes, all teams have the same schedule, but the way they choose to get their players ready is entirely up to the management of each individual team.’ – B & P
Did I really miss the point? My point is that the team (the entire organization) had the same amount of time to get ready as everyone else. There are no excuses associated with ‘they were not ready.’ I would respond then shame on the Manager, Coaches and anyone else that played a part to wait to get the players ready, Heck, if I’m one of the players and I feel I need more than 8 games worth of AB’s then I should be voicing that concern to the Manager. If I do not then shame on me/the player.
‘Mookie was probably the last regular to even see game action. Does he look ready to you? He started Spring the same as everyone else, why wasn’t he in any games for the first two weeks?’ – B & P
Asking me these 2 questions actually validates my point. EVERY TEAM STARTED AND ENDED SPRING TRAINING THE SAME TIME.
I’m not trying to pick a fight but there is no excuse for someone (a professional hitter or pitcher) that makes their living (and making millions of dollars) playing professional baseball to not be ready for 1.) Spring training or 2.) Opening Day.
Whether every team had 3 weeks or 3 days they all had the same amount of time. It’s time to play ball. Just like every other season, some players get off to fast starts and some not so fast.
Bobby Miller goes tonight for Tulsa against the Sod Poodles!
If you can’t beat a Sod Poodle, who can you beat?
I think I would rather be called a Prairie Dog than a Sod Poodle!
Dodgers (1-2)
Twins (2-2)
SP Andrew Heaney L
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Turner R
C Will Smith R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
46% Rain
50° Wind 13 mph In
Amazing article on Sandy. Things were really crazy back then. It’s so sad that he lost everything over not taking a job offered to him by Castro.
I sure hope there’s a game tonight, but the weather looks pretty bad. But, it says the rain should be light to moderate around game time, but increasing around 9PM in Minnesota.
There was an article about the schedule next year. It isn’t as “balanced” as I originally thought. Here’s how it works…
56 Games in Division — 14 vs. each division rival
60 Games vs. Rest of League — 6 vs. each remaining team in league
46 Games of Interleague Play — 3 games apiece vs. 14 teams in other league; 4 games vs. “natural” rival
I really don’t care for Inter League play, but I get why they do it. It’s way more fair now that everyone has the play the same interleague teams so your division rival doesn’t get a softer schedule. IMO it’s better than what we currently have. 14 games in division is plenty and still a lot more games than against the rest of the league and the other league.
I guess if I had to choose between seeing the Pirates or the Royals, I’d probably see the Royals. But, I can’t say I’m excited to see so much inter-leage play.
Another very good article on the Dodgers of that golden era. I learned a lot about Sandy that I didn’t know. Thanks for taking me back to the 50’s again and thanks for all the research that you put in to create these articles.
Tonight we may (or may not) get a glimpse of Andrew Heaney.
Gametime it is supposed to be in the 40s and possible rain.
This was a great profile, Bear.