sabr.org
Cristobal Torriente is considered to be the greatest hitter in the history of the Cuban League, and was a superstar of the Negro Leagues.
“He’s a tremendous hitter. He puts his shoulders behind every drive and how the old ball sails when he lands on it! I found it quite a task to get the ball by him.”
Jeff Pfeffer, MLB pitcher
Torriente, an outfielder, had the highest career batting average in Cuban winter league history (.352). His team, Almendares, played a 9-game series against the New York Giants and Babe Ruth. Torriente outhit Ruth in most categories, and his team won the series 5-4.
Torriente’s career spanned from 1913-1928, and he played for the Chicago American Giants, Detroit Stars, and Kansas City Monarchs, among several other teams. His Chicago American Giants won pennants from 1920-1922. Torriente won the batting title in 1920 (.411) and 1923 (.412).
Torriente is rumored to love the night life, and got into several disputes with team management and umpires. He died in 1944 after a long battle with alcoholism and tuberculosis.
Torriente was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
baseballhall.org