Notable Hispanics: Esteban Bellan

Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1850, Esteban Bellan would grow up to become the first Latin American to play professional baseball in the United States. Bellan reportedly learned the game from American sailors, who brought baseball to Cuba.

By the time Bellan was ready to attend college, he chose St. John's College, which is now known as Fordham University, in New York City. Bellan joined the school's baseball team, and played for the team until his graduation in 1868.

Upon his graduation, Bellan played one season for Union of Morrisania, which was a member of the National Association of Baseball Players. During that season, Bellan and his teammates would win a championship.

After that championship season, Bellan would switch teams, suiting up for the Troy (N.Y.) Haymakers. Bellan would play for the Haymakers for four seasons, including the 1871 season, when the team joined the National Association of Professional Baseball Players. It was May 9, 1871 when Bellan made his official debut as a professional baseball player.

During the 1871 season, Bellan played in all of the team's 29 games, including 28 games at third base. He would play one more season for the Haymakers until the franchise folded after the 1872 season. In 1873, Bellan joined the New York Mutuals, playing eight games in his final season in professional baseball in the United States.

Though his career in American professional baseball was a relatively modest one, his role in setting up the first organized baseball game in Cuba in 1874 was so pivotal that many Cubans consider Bellan to be the father of Cuban baseball.

In addition to his role as an organizer, Bellan's exploits on the field continued upon his return to Cuba, where he served as both player and manager for Club Habana, a team he would eventually lead to three Cuban League championships.

Bellan passed away in Havana 1932. He was posthumously inducted into the Fordham University Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 1989-90.