José Méndez

José Méndez
Pitcher / Shortstop / Third baseman / Manager
Born: (1885-01-02)January 2, 1885
Cárdenas, Matanzas, Cuba
Died: October 31, 1928(1928-10-31) (aged 43)
Havana, Cuba
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Negro leagues debut
1908, for the Cuban Stars
Last Negro leagues appearance
1926, for the Kansas City Monarchs
Negro leagues statistics
Win–loss record30–9
Earned run average3.46
Strikeouts139
Batting average.232
Home runs3
Runs batted in62
Managerial record206–118–5
Teams
As player
As manager
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2006
Election methodCommittee on African-American Baseball

José de la Caridad Méndez Báez (March 19,1887– October 31, 1928) was a Cuban professional baseball right-handed pitcher, shortstop, third baseman and manager in the Negro leagues. Born in Cárdenas, Matanzas, he died at age 43 in Havana. Known in Cuba as "The Black Diamond" (Spanish: El Diamante Negro), he became a legend in his homeland. He was one of the first group of players elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2006.