Connie Marrero

From BR Bullpen

Conrado Eugenio Marrero Ramos

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 7", Weight 158 lb.

Debut April 21, 1950
Final Game September 7, 1954
Born April 25, 1911 in Sagua La Grande, Cuba

[edit] Biographical Information

Different sources disagree as to the age of Connie Marrero. Some say he was born in 1917, while others say 1911 or 1913.

Connie Marrero, known as "El Guajiro" (the Hillbilly), was a Cuban who became a major league rookie at the age of 39. He pitched for five years, with decent ERA's until the last season. He threw many sliders, and one magazine called him "Slow Ball Señor".

Marrero went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA for Cuba when they won the 1939 Amateur World Series. In the 1942 Amateur World Series, Marrero was 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA as the worst pitcher for Cuba. His win was a big one, though, defeating the reigning champion Venezuelan national team 8-0 in the opener. In the 1944 Amateur World Series, Marrero was 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA for the Bronze Medalists.

He was named to the All Star team in 1951, at the age of 40. He also pitched a one-hitter that year.

In America, his main teammates were Eddie Yost, Mickey Vernon, Bob Porterfield, Pete Runnels, Jackie Jensen, Jim Busby and Irv Noren.

Quote: "Nice play, Mickey. Now you pay." - Connie Marrero, after Mantle threw him out at first base on a ball hit to right field, and before Marrero struck out Mantle three times

Quote: ""You got to swing at his first pitch. You let him get ahead of you on the count and you're dead." - Ted Williams, speaking about Connie Marrero

Since the death of Juan Delis in 2003, Marrero has been the only former major leaguer living in Cuba. Because of the Cuban embargo, he is not paid any MLB pension. Participants in the "annual CubaBall Tour" have met Marrero.