A while back David Lawrence sent me this image of Luis Padrón, from his 1910 Punch Cigars card (a series that also included Pete Hill). It is, as David put it, “a particularly distinguished portrait.” It would have gone well with my article on Padrón in Base Ball, had I remembered it.
Great find. Classic picture
I read your article in Base Ball; very nice. I notice that you don’t comment on the meaning of his Cuban nickname, “El Mulo.” Although I’ve never seen a reference discussing the nickname, I’ve sort of assumed that it was probably a reference to the term “mulatto” and suggests that he was regarded as mixed race in his native country. Would you agree?
Brent: yes, I’ve thought of the possible “mulo”/”mulato” connection, but (so far) have nothing solid to base it on, so left it out. In general, the article was about his U.S. career–there remains much to learn about his Cuban life and career.
Leave a Reply