HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmailPascual, Juan
From: Manny Rodriguez [manny8450@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:38 AM
To: Pascual, Juan
Subject: Alfonsito Rodriguez -Curtis Park
Alfonsito Rodriguez:
CA.7
Born in Habana, Cuba on June 6, 1911. He passed away on June 30, 1987. He had 2 brothers. One was his twin
brother, who was the Bishop of Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
He was playing amateur Baseball in Cuba for "CUBANALECO" and was being moved up to the pro team "Habana",
when he received an injury which resulted in his retiring completely as a player. In 1933, he became the Manager of t
"CUBANALECO". He was the youngest person ever to manage a pro team in Cuba. Professional baseball in Cuba wf
considered the second best in the world, after the U.S., but the amateur baseball program, was considered the number
one in the world.
Under his leadership as Manager, "CUBANALECO" won various National Championships. He was also the Manager
of the Cuban National Team in 1939 and 1941.
Upon his arrival in Miami on 1961, he immediately began to organize and try to put together a long time dream. He
wanted to open a Baseball Academy that would actually focus on teaching the kids how to play rather than just putting
them to play. In 1963, he opened the "Academia Latino America de Baseball". He gathered many of the great players
and coaches from Cuban Baseball and made them a part of the team of instructors in the League. The "Academia",
would operate at Curtis Park. At the time, Curtis Park had 4 baseball fields, plus 2 more that were created for smaller
children. The area surrounding Curtis Park was composed mostly of citizens that had arrived from Cuba. We had kids
from 5 years old all the way up to 18. It was the first and only League of it's kind. There had never been an "Academia'
before.
Curtis Park and the "Academia" became a way of life and center of life for thousands of children and families
throughout the years. Families would celebrate their Birthday's, their end of school year parties, etc any type of
event imaginable. They would stay all day in the Park until sundown. It is incredible to still hear hundreds of people
remember those days and how they would never have traded it for anything. Many go as far to say that it was one of the
best and most memorable times of their lives. Never was a child turned away because of his inability to pay. There was
always a great percentage that could not afford to make the payments, but they were never asked to be removed or to
pay for anything. My father's first and only concern was the well being of the children.
My Father's life was the "Academia" and Curtis Park. He always said he would die there. At age 76, still training for
endless hours a day, he had a severe heart attack which caused him his life. I know that is where he wanted to be if
something was ever to happen to him. He spent most of his life at Curtis Park devoted to thousands of kids that at some
point of their lives, played in la Academia with him. Curtis Park is always remembered and referred to as "La
Academia de Alfonsito Rodriguez".
I am extremely grateful that you are motivated and have determined that the field should be named in his memory and
his honor.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any question or need any type of assistance.
Thank you.
Manny Rodriguez
7/24/2008