Jose Acosta was born in Havana, Cuba, on this day in 1891. He was one of the first Cubans to play in the major leagues.
Acosta, known by his nickname of “Acostica”, was 5’6 and weighed only 134 pounds. Nevertheless, he pitched 3 seasons with the 1922-24 Washington Senators: 10-10 with a 4.51 ERA. He completed 6 games and saved 4.
According to “The pride of Havana,” Acosta was one of many Cuban baseball players who came out of the sugar mills. Before the professional leagues flourished, “los centrales” were a major source of baseball talent.
Acosta died in 1977.
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