Of all the 300+ members of the baseball Hall of Fame, Cristobal Torriente is perhaps the most difficult to find quality images of. Being an illiterate early black (Cuban) star in an era where his race was pushed aside, Torriente was rarely photographed. His prowess on the baseball field was legendary, but with the only images taken residing in Cuba and Latin America, the weather and overall conditions have led to only a couple surviving in the world. Through our research we have been able to concretely identify four total photographs of Torriente (two of which are early baseball cards)... until now. The offered photograph of the 1919-20 Almendares team from the Cuban League captures 14 players in uniform with several major stars and rarities, but it is the inclusion of Torriente (top row far left) that is of primary importance. He is seen standing at attention in what we believe is the only image concretely identified as Torriente showing his entire frame from head to toe and it really captures his massive frame that led to his legendary power as a hitter. He is standing next to Rafael Almeida as the two have a conversation. Other men pictured are Bernardo Baro, Pelayo Chacon, Ramon Herrera, Merito Acosta, Adolfo Luque, (next is unidentified), Emilio Palmero, Armando Marsans, Bartolo Portuondo, Eufemio Abreu, Mascot, and Isido Fabre. While the condition is typical of older images from Latin America, the image quality is strong and the fact that it pictures Torriente (and pre-dates his rookie baseball cards) can excuse such a thing as cosmetic imperfections! One of the most important baseball photographic offerings we have ever been a part of and one that is likely to never see the light of day again.

Size: 5x6.75
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 1/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 6/10