Angel D'Meza

Ángel D'Meza
Pitcher
Born: January 1, 1877
Havana, Cuba
Died: October 8, 1954
Havana, Cuba
Batted: Right Threw: Right

Angel D'Meza[1][2] was a white Cuban baseball pitcher in the Cuban League. He played from 1902 to 1908 with several teams, including Fe, Almendares, San Francisco, Azul, and Habana.

"Angel D. Mesa" figures on the first set of baseball cards produced in Cuba (Cabanas Tobacco Company, 1909-1910) to commemorate the series of games played between Almendares and Habana and visitors Detroit Tigers.

Biography

Ángel D'Meza Hernández was born in January 1 of 1877 in Havana , Cuba to Spanish parents Ramón D'Meza and Agustina Hernández. His wife was Dorotea Delgado.

A Spanish-American War Veteran, under orders by Theodore Roosevelt, he fought in the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898 near Santiago de Cuba.

The Almendares nicknamed the team "Los Alacranes" (Scorpions) by Pitcher Angel D'Meza during his tenure with the club (1903, 1905–1907) creating the slogan of the franchise. In 1952, the Almendares club honored Angel D'Meza in a ceremony at Havana's baseball stadium for having given the team its nickname and mascot. He was presented with a silver scorpion paperweight and a gold scorpion lapel pin, along with a commemorative scroll.

He died on October 8, 1954 at the age of 77. He is buried in the Christopher Columbus Cemetery inside the American Veteran's Pantheon in Havana.

Statistical history

Angel D'Meza began his career as a baseball player in 1898 with team "Fe" at the age of 21 but due to the Independence War Baseball games were suspended.

It wasn't until 1901 at the age of 24 when he returned to the pages of the Cuban League with the team "Cuba" or Cubano as they used to call it. This year it is reported that he lost 9 games as a Pitcher.

In 1903 he signs for "Almendares" pitching in 6 games , completing 5 , winning 1 and losing 4 with a Pct. of .200. He also participated in the 1903 American Series games winning 1 and losing 1.

In 1904 he transferred from Almendares to Club San Francisco pitching in 9 games, completing 8 , winning 4 and losing 5 with a Pct. of .444. Again participated in the American Series playing for the club Azul (Blue) against American teams like the Cuban-X-Giants , Lynn (Massachusetts), All Nationals, Tampa and All Americans. Losing 5 of all 5 he pitched.

In 1905 Angel D'Meza broke loose with 10 wins and 4 loses and a Pct. of .714 in 18 games pitched. Almendares finally won the flag in 1905. Again played in the American Series with the "All-Cubans" winning 1 game and losing 2.

In 1906 D'Meza played 7 games completing 4 , winning 2 and losing 4 with a Pct. of .333 for the Almendares. In the American Series of this year he lost 2 games.

In 1907 he'd only get to pitch 1 game in which he lost with Almendares. He was part of the championship team of 1907. This year's American Series were played and the Habana team presented him for them pitching 7 games , winning 3 and losing 4.

In 1908 he was part of the Habana team leaving behind the Almendares team who gladly he had named "Los Alacranes" (Scorpions). Pitched 6 games , completed 4 , won 3 and lost 1 with a Pct. of .750.

Finally ends his career at the age of 30 years with team San Francisco, pitching 5 games, winning 2 and losing 2 with a Pct. of .500. He also played for a short period of time in the Mexican League of Baseball.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Figueredo, Jorge S. (2003). Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878-1961. McFarland & Company. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-7864-6425-8.
  2. ↑ Historia del Beisbol en Yucatán, Carlos Castillo Barrio "Angel D'Meza"

External links