No. 14 Negro Leagues Martin Dihigo

Dihigo was the 12th negro league player that Bill James had in his top 100. Johnny Mize who played in winter ball indicated that Dihigo was probably slightly better than he was. I have Mize at 72 so the 14 are probably in the top 100.

Dihigo was born in Cuba but was playing in the Negro Eastern League at age 18. At the age of 22 he had a power surge is pretty normal. He had his best year of the 9 years he has recorded. He played to at least age 40, so that is 23 years.

Dihigo played all over the field. He played the most at shortstop. Bill James had him as the number 1 right fielder which is ironic because in 1929 at the age of 24 he played every position including pitcher except right field. That was the only year of the nine he was shown playing catcher. He played right field in other years. Reports said he played all nine positions well. I think he would have been an interesting player to see play.

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