Review of “Last Seasons in Havana”

After my recent review of Luis Tiant’s memoir, I remembered that in my growing backlog of books to review, I had one on the final seasons of baseball in Cuba.  So, before putting this book aside again, I picked it up and in bits and pieces, I finally finished it. It was worth the extra effort to finish.  Here is my review of “Last Seasons in Havana.”

Title/Author:

“Last Seasons in Havana: The Castro Revolution and the End of Professional Baseball in Cuba” by Cesar Brioso

Tags:

Baseball, professional, politics, minor leagues

Publish:
March 1, 2019

Length:
304 pages

Rating:

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

In the 1950’s, baseball was at the height of its popularity in Cuba, in both terms of spectator  attendance and the quality of baseball played. However, once Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencio Batista and took control of the island’s government, the fate of the sport changed. These changes which led to the end of the Cuban League and the presence of minor league baseball in Cuba are captured in this interesting book by Cesar Brioso.

Writing in equal amounts about the revolution by the 26th of July Movement led by Castro and about the teams in the Cuban League as well as the Havana Sugar Kings, Brioso brings the reader to the island nation and its main stadium, Gran Estadio.  The details in which both subjects are presented, especially the revolution and Castro’s subsequent takeover, shows the depth of research done by Brioso.

While the details about the revolution are very good, the writing about the baseball is even better.  The Havana Sugar Kings were a triple-A minor league team of the Cincinnati Reds in the International League. They would draw large, enthusiastic crowds until the revolution as not only fans, but players would not want to risk being caught up in any military fighting. Shooting was common at this time at not only Sugar Kings games, but also during games in the Cuban League. The latter had games in the winter and many major league players would keep their skills sharp by playing alongside natives of the island in this league.

Some of the best stories in the book are told either by or about former major league players such as Tommy Lasorda, Carl Yazstemski and Camilo Pascual. The latter was one of several Cubans who found success in the major leagues, becoming an All-Star pitcher for the Washington Senators (later the Minnesota Twins). The Senators were noted for signing several Cuban players. However, once the Sugar Kings could not remain financially solvent in Havana and moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, it was the beginning of the end of baseball on the island nation.  If it is possible to feel bad for Castro, a big fan of the game (although he was NOT a baseball player, a myth proven to be false by Brioso) then this book will make the reader do so. Baseball fans and history fans alike will enjoy this book as both topics are covered with good detail and good stories.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book format read:
Hardcover

Buying Links:

Last Seasons in Havana - University of Nebraska Press : Nebraska Press

Last Seasons in Havana: The Castro Revolution and the End of Professional Baseball in Cuba: César Brioso: 9781496205513: Amazon.com: Gateway