Esteban Bellán

Third Base
  • Card series: Pioneer Portraits I: 1850-1874
  • City: Troy
  • Team: Haymakers
  • League: National Association (NAPBBP)
  • Hall: Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame

Esteban Enrique “Steve” Bellán (1849-1932) was one of the first Latin players in American pro baseball. Born in Cuba and educated in NY during the Civil War, Bellán played for the Unions of Morrisania and Troy Haymakers of the NABBP and the NAPBBP at the dawn of pro sports franchises. A stylish infielder, Steve was nicknamed the “Cuban Sylph.” Bellán attended Fordham University, the innovator of nine-man college baseball with a game against St. Francis Xavier College on Nov 3, 1859.

  • Upon gaining US citizenship, Esteban returned to Havana and helped found Cuban baseball in 1874
  • Piloted Club Habana to 3 titles from 1878-83
  • Oftentimes cited as the “Father of Cuban Baseball”
  • Elected to Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame: 1961

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