Juan Diego Nusa Peñalver

Just shy of his 103rd birthday, Conrado Eugenio Marrero Ramos, a legend of Cuban sports, and baseball internationally, died April 23. The famous pitcher, affectionately called the Guajiro de Laberinto in Cuba - and the Premier or Connie in the U. S. - provided an enduring example of perseverance, of tenacity, and showed great love for his country.

Marrero received much praise during his brilliant 20-year career. Ted Williams, one of the all-time best hitters in the Major Leagues said of him, "He left the Major Leagues in 1955, but is still remembered in the United States."

He was nominated to the Shrine of the Eternals, the highest award granted by the Baseball Reliquary, similar to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.

"The Shrine of the Eternals differs philosophically in that statistical accomplishment is not the principal criterion for election. It is believed that the election of individuals on merits other than statistics and playing ability will offer the opportunity for a deeper understanding and appreciation of baseball," according to the Baseball Reliquary website.

A spirited young man and jovial veteran who dreamed of being a great pitcher, Marrero arrived in the U.S. Major Leagues at 39 years of age, to play for the Washington Senators. Fans still remember his victories over the Yankees in that era.

Born April 25, 1911, on the Laberinto farm, located near Sagua La Grande, now in the province of Vila Clara, he began playing baseball very young.

Marrero said that, in Sagua, he played third base or left field, and later, since he could throw a curveball, he would pitch now and then. But his favorite position was shortstop and he also liked being fourth in the batting order.

In 1935, the Casino Español Club team in Isabela de Sagua played Casa Stany from Cienfuegos, and Marrero pitched. He totally dominated their batters and, the manager asked him to come play with them. He accepted the offer and stayed with the Cienfuegos team from then on.

Marrero was one of Cuba’s all-time great pitchers, known for his control and feel for the strike zone. He never threw supersonic straight pitches, but relied on the slider, or outside curveball, in the language of his times. An idol to fans, he filled stadiums whenever it was announced that he would pitch, inspiring awe when he was in the running for Rookie of the Year in the U.S. - at almost 40 years of age. Marrero played eight amateur baseball seasons, winning 127 games, losing 40, in Amateur World Series, between 1939 and 1945.

Cuba first participated in amateur international competition in 1939, in the Second World Series, which took place in Havana, with Nicaragua, the United States, and of course, Cuba. The big attraction was Cuba’s game with the U.S. on August 13, at the Tropical Stadium. Cuba won, 13-3. Conrado Marrero pitched for nine innings, allowing just five hits and striking out 12 batters.