Shohei Otani has generated a great deal of interest due to his being a two way star in Japan. He still has a long way to go before he would equal the accomplishments of Negro Leagues legend Martin Dihigo, who is considered the greatest two way player in baseball history.
Long before Shohei Otani, there was another player who was a legitimate two way threat. He was brilliant both on the field and on the pitcher's mound, having played every position aside from catcher during his career. However, given the social climate at the time, he never found his way into the majors. That player was Negro Leagues legend Martin Dihigo, who was born on this day in 1905.
Dihigo made his debut at just 17 years old as a first baseman, playing for the legendary Havana ballclub in the Cuban League. After the season, he traveled stateside to play for the Cuban Stars in the Negro Leagues. This began his journey through baseball that would not end until 1953, as he played year round. Dihigo became a fixture not only in the United States and Cuba, but also in the Mexican, Venezuelan, and Dominican Leagues.
During that time, Dihigo would become a true star, a player who transcended baseball. He was not just famous on the Negro League side of the game; he perfromed well during those exhibitions against major league squads as well. Johnny Mize, who played winter ball in Venezuela with Dihigo, called him the greatest player he ever saw.
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it is easy to see why. Although statistics from the Negro Leagues, and the various winter leagues, can be incomplete, Dihigo established himself as one of the greatest players of his time with the bat. He was a two time home run leader, and won two batting titles. Dihigo also led his leagues in doubles and slugging at different points in his career.
However, where he stood out was on the mound. He is credited with over 250 wins in his career, and once posted a 0.19 ERA in the Mexican League. He led his leagues in wins, strikeouts, ERA, and winning percentage, dominating at every stop he made.
Nicknamed "The Immortal" and "The Master" for his prowess on the diamond, Dihigo earned quite a few honors from his playing days. He was one of two players, along with Willie Wells, to be inducted into the American, Cuban, and Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame. Dihigo also added the Venezuelan and Dominican Halls to his list, and was a part of the charter class for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.
During his playing days, there was no one who could compare to Martin Dihigo. The Negro Leagues legend was a ballplayer the likes of which we have not seen since.
