Bobby Estalella (estalbo01)

From BR Bullpen

Roberto Estalella Ventoza

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut September 7, 1935
• Final Game September 16, 1949
• Born April 25, 1911 in Cardenas, Cuba
• Died January 6, 1991 in Hialeah, FL USA

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[edit] Biographical Information

The grandfather of Bobby Estalella, outfielder/third baseman Bobby Estalella was signed by Washington Senators scout Joe Cambria and was one of many Cuban players the Senators carried through the 1930s, 40s and 50s. He played parts of nine seasons in the majors with the Senators, St. Louis Browns, and Philadelphia Athletics between 1935 and 1949, serving as a regular for the Senators and Athletics during World War II. In the minors, he won the Piedmont League Triple Crown with the Charlotte Hornets in 1938, hitting .378 with 38 homers and 123 RBI.

Estalella jumped to the Mexican League in 1946 and was placed on the Ineligible List. After being reinstated in 1949, he returned briefly to the Athletics. He played two more seasons in the minors.

There was controversy about Estalella during his career because many believed he was of partial African heritage. His American teammates and prominant writers considered him black. In later years, Estalella commented, "it was only an issue for the Americans."

After Fidel Castro came to power, Estalella immigrated to Florida, where he died in 1991.

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