Rafael Almeida

Rafael Almeida (July 30, 1887 in Havana, Cuba - March 19, 1968 in Havana, Cuba) was a Major League Baseball third baseman from 1911 to 1913 with the Cincinnati Reds.

Almeida and teammate Armando Marsans are regarded by some historians as the first athletes born in Cuba to play in the major leagues. (This distinction is disputed because Cuban-born Steve Bellán played from 1871 to 1873 in the National Association, which is regarded by some historians as a major league, but is not recognized as a major league by Major League Baseball.) Almeida and Marsans debuted together with the Reds on July 4, 1911. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bio/Cuba_born.shtml Players Born in Cuba - Baseball-Reference.com ] ]

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