Juan Ealo

From BR Bullpen

Juan Ealo (Espinacas, Spinach)

First baseman Juan Ealo was a long-time amateur star in Cuba, who never turned pro. He was known for his power and large forearms.

He played for the Cuban national team in the 1942 Amateur World Series, hitting .375 and leading the tournament with four doubles, helping his team win Gold. Ealo led Cuba's amateur league in hitting in 1944 (.500). He only hit .206 in the 1944 Amateur World Series, one of Cuba's weaker threats in the event.

He managed the Nicaragua team for part of the 1948 Amateur World Series, but was fired by Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza, who also succeeded Ealo as team manager.

Ealo was a coach for the Almendares Blues in the dying days of the Cuban Winter League.

Sources include A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman