Exports from Cuba

While Fidel Castro is busy overthrowing the government in Cuba, Class AAA International League president Frank Shaughnessy announces 64 years ago today that Havana’s time in the pro baseball with the Sugar Kings will soon end.

Like real soon.

Fidel Castro visiting the Sugar Kings’ clubhouse in 1959

Like six days soon as the Sugar Kings, who also happen to be the Cincinnati Reds’ top minor league team, play their final game as the Sugar Kings on July 14, 1960 in Miami before they relocate to New Jersey, rebrand as the Jersey City Jerseys and finish the 1960 season at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City.

As the story goes, the United States government reportedly wants to exert some influence over Castro – a huge Sugar Kings fan – and, failing to do so, end up pressuring Major League Baseball commissioner Ford Frick to, in turn, pressure the International League and Shaughnessy to cut their ties with Cuba.

Historians note that six days after Shaughnessy announces the end to the International League’s ties to Cuba the Sugar Kings win their final game 7-3 over the Miami Marlins, who happen to be Baltimore’s top affiliate.

Cookie Rojas with the Sugar Kings

Among those players forcing to relocate from Havana to Jersey City are Reds’ rising minor leaguers – and natives Cubans – Cookie Rojas, Mike Cuellar and Leo Cardenas.

All three eventually enjoy long careers in the majors, combining there for 14 All-Star Game selections.

Rojas and Cardinas, both infielders, each play 16 seasons in the majors while Cuellar, a pitcher, spends 15 seasons there.

Alas, the erstwhile Sugar Kings – now going by the Jersey City Jerseys – do not attract the same interest in Northern Jersey that they do in Havana.

They stay in aging Roosevelt Stadium only through the second half of the 1960 season and all of the ’61 season before the franchise is sold and the Reds move their Class AAA affiliate to San Diego of the Pacific Coast League.