Almendares (baseball)

The Almendares Baseball Club, often referred to as "Almendares," was a professional baseball team based in Havana, Cuba. They were one of the most storied and successful franchises in Cuban baseball history, particularly during the era of the Cuban League (Liga Cubana de Béisbol).

Almendares was known for its intense rivalry with the Habana (or Havana) baseball club, a rivalry that captivated Cuban society for decades and was a major cultural event. Games between the two teams were fiercely contested and drew massive crowds.

The team was known for wearing dark blue uniforms, which contributed to their nickname "Los Azules" (The Blues). Almendares boasted many legendary players who went on to achieve fame in both Cuban and Major League Baseball, including figures like Adolfo Luque, Conrado Marrero, and Tony Taylor.

Almendares won numerous Cuban League championships throughout its existence. The team's success and its passionate fanbase solidified its place as a cornerstone of Cuban baseball history. The Cuban League, along with Almendares, was disbanded following the Cuban Revolution. The memory of Almendares remains a significant part of Cuban sporting and cultural heritage.