Joe Cambria
From BR Bullpen
- Born c. 1890 in Messina, Italy
- Died September 24, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN USA
Papa Joe Cambria was an Italian-born laundromat owner in Baltimore, when he was hired by Clark Griffith as the Senators Latin American scout. Many of Cambria's signees became stars for the Minnesota Twins, having developed after the Senators moved to Minnesota.
Among the notable signings by Cambria were Camilo Pascual, three time batting champion Tony Oliva, 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles, and Luis Tiant. He also signed Early Wynn as a stateside scout. It is a popular myth that Cambria nearly signed Fidel Castro for the Senators.
He also discovered and/or signed Luis Aloma , Ossie Alvarez , Vicente Amor , Allen Benson , Frank Campos , Alex Carrasquel , George Case , Webbo Clarke , Joe Cleary , Gil Coan , Jorge Comellas , Sandy Consuegra , Yo-Yo Davalillo , Juan Delis , Reese Diggs , Cal Ermer , Bobby Estalella , Angel Fleitas , Mike Fornieles , Ramon Garcia , Preston Gomez , Vince Gonzales , Julio Gonzalez , Lou Grasmick , Mike Guerra , Evelio Hernandez , Joe Krakauskas , Mickey Livingston , Ed Lyons , Connie Marrero , Rogelio Martinez , Paul Masterson , Walt Masterson , Willie Miranda , Rene Monteagudo , Julio Moreno , George Myatt , Cholly Naranjo , Baby Ortiz , Roberto Ortiz , Reggie Otero , Carlos Pascual , Carlos Paula , Babe Phelps , Jake Powell , Ray Prim , Freddy Rodriguez , Pete Runnels , Raul Sanchez , Luis Suarez , Gil Torres , Sandy Ullrich , Roy Valdes , Jose Valdivielso , Adrian Zabala , Jose Zardon and Hugh Mulcahy.
Cambria also owned the Albany Senators, the Havana Cubans of the Florida International League and the Negro National League Baltimore Black Sox.
