7.5x9.5” glossy silver gelatin photograph. Fascinating image for a trio of Cuban League baseball stars, all teammates on one of the greatest ball clubs in Cuban baseball history, the 1923-24 Santa Clara Leopards. Heading this group is none other than the greatest Cuban-born pitcher of all-time, the “Black Diamond” himself, Jose Mendez (at left) who is joined by his long-time pitching co-star, Bombin Pedroso (at right) along w/teammate, Jose Munoz (center). Mendez began his professional baseball career in the US during the pre-Negro League days and debuting for the 1908 Brooklyn Royal Giants. Following that season, Mendez would join the Cuban Stars, where he would spend the majority of his summers in the US over the next few years. Subsequently, Jose would join an international group of ballplayers, the All-Nations ball club, which barnstormed across the Midwestern United States. He teamed w/John Donaldson on that pitching staff to form a nearly unbeatable duo. Following brief stints w/the Chicago American Giants and Detroit Stars, Jose would join the Kansas City Monarchs in time for the inaugural Negro National League season. Mendez remained a staff ace for the Monarchs throughout the early-mid 1920s, leading the club to multiple championships. Throughout his US Negro League playing days, Jose would spend his winters playing in his native Cuba, starring for Almendares during the early 1910s and finished his documented Cuban League career w/a record of 74-25. In 1939, Mendez was part of the inaugural group of ballplayers elected to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame and followed up this accolade w/election to the US National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Back of photo has extensive publication notations, ink stamps and a pair of newspaper text strips, as well as photographer’s ink stamp “Jose Luis Lopez.” This popular image was used multiple times over the years as evidenced by various date stamps. Lt. handling wear mostly seen in reflected light. Image is bold. Richard Merkin Collection.