{"product_id":"havana-hardball-spring-training-jackie-robinson-and-the-cuban-league-paperback","title":"Havana Hardball: Spring Training, Jackie Robinson, and The Cuban League - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCésar Brioso\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelive the tumultuous preseason before Robinson broke the color barrier\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn February 1947, the most memorable season in the history of the Cuban League finished with a dramatic series win by Almendares against its rival, Habana. As the celebration spread through the streets of Havana and across Cuba, the Brooklyn Dodgers were beginning spring training on the island. One of the Dodgers' minor league players was Jackie Robinson.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe was on the verge of making his major-league debut in the United States, an event that would fundamentally change sports--and America. To avoid harassment from the white crowds in Florida during this critical preseason, the Dodgers relocated their spring training to Cuba, where Black and white teammates had played side by side since 1900.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt was also during this time that Major League Baseball was trying its hardest to bring the \"outlaw\" Cuban League under the control of organized baseball. As the Cubans fought to stay independent, Robinson worked to earn a roster spot on the Dodgers in the face of discrimination from his future teammates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHavana Hardball\u003c\/i\u003e captures the excitement of the Cuban League's greatest pennant race and the anticipation of the looming challenge to MLB's color barrier. Illuminating one of the sport's most pivotal seasons, veteran journalist César Brioso brings together a rich mix of worlds as the heyday of Latino baseball converged with one of the most socially meaningful events in U.S. history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCésar Brioso\u003c\/b\u003e is a digital producer and former baseball editor for \u003ci\u003eUSA TODAY Sports\u003c\/i\u003e. In his 25 years as a sports journalist, he has written for the \u003ci\u003eMiami Herald\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.72 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 30, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67627528355942,"sku":"9780813081304","price":35.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/7255\/0758\/files\/W2O-Db3SIQ9780813081304.webp?v=1791161507","url":"https:\/\/infinitylightwa.com\/products\/havana-hardball-spring-training-jackie-robinson-and-the-cuban-league-paperback","provider":"Infinity Light","version":"1.0","type":"link"}