Destined for Cooperstown had MLB not had
a "color problem," this slugging shortstop was 32 years
old when the Puerto Rican Windter League kicked off its inaugural
season. Cepeda demonstrated his batting prowess by hitting an unbelievable
.465 to win the first batting title. He also won batting titles
the next two years, averaging .383. Cepeda turned down numerous
offers to play in the U.S. Negro Leagues, figuring that his volatile
temper and racial tensions in the states would only get him into
trouble. When he retired in 1950, he had a career average of .325.
