Soler, Abreu Join Tony Pérez in Cuban History Books
By Tab Bamford
Cuban baseball players have been part of Major League Baseball for more than 100 years. Over the long, storied history of Cuban contributions to the big leagues, not many have produced the offensive output that Jorge Soler and José Abreu are doing this season.
Only four Cuban natives have ever hit 40 home runs in a season:
- Rafael Palmeiro – 47 (2001, 1999), 43 (2002, 1998)
- José Canseco – 46 (1998), 44 (1991), 42 (1988)
- Jorge Soler – 45 (2019)
- Tony Pérez – 40 (1970)
On only three occasions has a Cuban player led his league in home runs: Canseco in 1988 and 1991 and Soler in 2019 (Soler is tied with Mike Trout for the AL lead entering Saturday).
Abreu, the White Sox defacto captain, carries an eight RBI lead on the field in the American League into Saturday’s games. Only three Cuban players – Palmeiro, Pérez and Canseco – had driven in more than 120 runs in a season previously.
- Palmeiro – 148 (1999), 142 (1996), 123 (2001)
- Pérez – 129 (1970), 122 (1969)
- Canseco – 124 (1988), 122 (1991)
- Abreu – 123 (2019)
And in the history of the big leagues, only one other Cuban native has led his league in RBI: Canseco in 1988.
Featured Image: Jonathan Danemel / Getty Images Sport