Post image for Conrado Marrero, the L.A. Dodgers, and Me – How I made the Big Leagues

Conrado Marrero, the L.A. Dodgers, and Me – How I made the Big Leagues

by Paul Raymond on May 23, 2015

The one thing about visiting Cuba is you never know what’s going to happen, . . . the headline states I’m a former Dodger right fielder who made the trip to Havana Cuba to honor Conrado Marrero, Cuba’s oldest living ex-MLB player.  Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of the story.

First, the headline above is the celebration of Conrado Marrero’s 102nd birthday.  I had the pleasure of attending that event with my good friend Aron Levinson, who was also identified in the article as a former catcher for the Dodgers.  Aron had befriended the Marrero family and the year prior, I had the opportunity to meet them. 

On this day, it was also announced that Major League Baseball had arranged with the U.S. Government for the long overdue release of the approximately $20,000 due Marrero, from his vested pension when he played in the big leagues for the Washington Senators.  Due to the embargo restrictions, Mr. Marrero never received the money for over 50 years! 

I arranged to have the photograph signed by Tommy Lasorda, thanks to Mark Langill, Dodger Historian.  I’ve been around Tommy long enough to recognize his signature and it is the real deal.  He wrote  “to my friend Conrado, with much love, your friend Tom Lasorda.”

Anyway, the person who took these photographs, had also taken my baseball card (and Aron’s).  My “alternative business” cards have been the same for years – they identify me as a baseball player “tax attorney.”  I’ve enjoyed using  the card and found folks get a chuckle out of it – plus, when asked if they know a tax attorney in Southern California, they usually say, “yes, and I’ve got his baseball card!”   A bit of a gimmick, but not intended to be. 

So that evening, on the news in Cuba, it was reported that the Dodgers sent Aron and me to Havana Cuba to honor Conrado Marrero’s 102nd birthday!  The Latin press picked it up as well.  Here’s some links:

ESPN Deportes

CubaHeadlines.com

Conrado, sadly, passed away on April 23, 2014, two days before his 103rd birthday. I had the pleasure and the honor of meeting him and his family.  

You can find more information at Wikepedia.

 

 

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