Baseball fans celebrate Bahamian Heritage at Loandepot Park at Miami Marlins game June 3, 2023.

Click to watch Curazao vs. Bahamas @ Caribbean Baseball Cup, December 2022, Nassau, Bahamas.

Tournament Photo Highlights

Click to see images of Jazz Chisholm and Bahamian Heritage Celebrations at Miami Marlins in 2022

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Bahamian Baseball Players 2022

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First Bahamian voted to All-Star Game of Major League Baseball

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4th annual Caribbean Baseball Cup: Team Bahamas victorious

By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
December 5, 2022

Team Bahamas opened the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium and the 2022 Caribbean Cup on a winning note on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Toby Simmons’ sacrifice fly to score Kristin Munroe in the bottom of the eighth inning was the go ahead for a 4-3 win over the US Virgin Islands last night.

Evan Sweeting was the winning pitcher after he struck out two in relief in the eighth while McKell Bethel got the save with two strikeouts in the ninth.

The Bahamas’ bullpen accounted for 12 strikeouts and gave up six hits enroute to the win. Brandon Russell got the start and finished with five strikeouts through five innings followed by Travvis Ferguson who had three strikeouts through two.

Simmons finished 1-3 with an RBI, Hanna was 1-3 with an RBI and scored a run, Adari Grant was 1-4 and Ural Forbes went 1-4.

After a scoreless first inning, The Bahamas got on the scoreboard in the second inning. After Hanna and Cherif Neymour both drew walks, Neymour stole second and forced a wild throw from USVI catcher Conroy Samuel that sailed over the head of shortstop Zayd Branningan. Hanna scored on the play to take a 1-0 lead.

Russell struck out two of the three batters he faced in the third to keep the lead for The Bahamas.

Forbes’ single led off the third for The Bahamas. With two outs and the bases loaded, Simmons struck out to end the inning and the team left runners on base for the second time in as many innings.

The USVI got on the scoreboard in the fifth when Taj Bates’ fly ball landed just beyond the reach of a diving Simmons to score Kelani Luke.

USVI would tack on another run in the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game, 2-1. Simmons opened the bottom half of the seventh when he ripped a double down the right field line.

Warren Saunders hit into fielders’ choice with runners at second and third and the potential game-tying run cut down at the plate. With the bases loaded and two outs, Hanna singled down the right field line to score Moss and Saunders and give the Bahamas a 3-2 lead.

In the eighth, Sweeting entered the game with no outs and runners on first and second. He eventually struck out two of the next three he faced to get out of the inning with the game tied at 3-3.

In the ninth, Munroe walked and eventually stole second and third, setting the stage for Simmons’ late game heroics with his sacrifice fly for the go-ahead score. Bethel entered the game in the ninth and struck out two of the three he faced to seal the win.

The Bahamas plays on December 5, 2022, against defending champion Curacao.

Bahamian culture on full display at Marlins game in Miami

By Sheldon Longely
The Nassau Guardian
June 27, 2022

MIAMI, Florida – Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins challenged the New York Mets on Saturday, June 25, 2022, and came out on the losing end in two of the three games, but Saturday’s encounter was all about the lone Bahamian suiting up in the majors at this time.

The Marlins recognized and honored Chisholm on ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. Bobblehead Day, presented by loanDepot at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on Saturday.

The Marlins lost the game, 5-3, to their division-rival Mets, but there was a festive Bahamian atmosphere regardless as fans and baseball enthusiasts celebrated the second edition of Bahamian Heritage Night with the Marlins.

According to reports, activities centered around the backdrop of a beautiful Bahamian-themed celebration. The festivities were in celebration of Bahamian son of the soil Chisholm – a starting infielder with the Marlins.

The aquamarine, gold, and black colors signifying Bahamian pride lit up the park’s promenade, and a pregame junkanoo rush-out led by the Bahamas Junkanoo Revue out of Miami and legendary junkanooers Quentin ‘Barabbas’ Woodside and Langston Longley, moved the nearly 20,000 spectators to their feet.

Percy ‘Vola’ Francis, known as the ‘King of Junkanoo’ in The Bahamas and leader of the Shell Saxons Superstars junkanoo organization, also made a special appearance during the performance, showcasing his popular ‘Vola Shuffle’ dance move.

The crowd joined in the celebration, with many spectators waving Bahamian flags, beating goatskin drums, and dancing to the pulsating music.

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg threw out the first pitch of the game, and spectators were treated to more Bahamian experiences throughout the night.

The heritage celebration is a collaborative initiative by the Miami Marlins, the Bahamas Consulate General (Miami) Office, The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, the National Sports Authority (NSA) of The Bahamas, and the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA).

Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Tourism Latia Duncombe said: “This is a proud moment for The Bahamas, to witness one of our own excel in Major League Baseball (MLB), and to see Bahamian heritage being celebrated before thousands of fans.

This event is a great opportunity to showcase the authentic cultural expressions that visitors to our destination can experience.”

Chisholm’s outstanding talent, combined with his charismatic persona, has made him an all-around fan favorite in the majors. He is the first Bahamian player with the Marlins MLB franchise and only the seventh Bahamian to ever play in the majors.

This year, fans were able to receive an exclusive Bahamian Heritage Marlins Jersey and a collectible ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. bobblehead souvenir, presented by LoanDepot.

The night ended with a postgame concert featuring lively and rhythmic Bahamian music, marking an exceptional celebration of the country’s deep ties with Miami.

As for Chisholm’s performance, he finished a double in four at-bats on Saturday and was 3-for-7 for the series with a run scored. He didn’t play in Sunday’s game – a game the Marlins won in dramatic fashion, 3-2 on a walk-off home run by Nick Fortes in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Chisholm is now batting .255 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in), and 39 runs scored. He is having a phenomenal second full season in the majors, and based on the first returns, Chisholm is the leading vote-getter for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles, California, on July 19, for second basemen in the National League.

‘Prince Jazz’ and Bahamian Heritage Night centre stage

Event draws third largest crowd of any Marlins 2022 home game

By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
June 27, 2022

MIAMI, Florida — The Miami Marlins organization transformed its home stadium into a celebration of the relationship between the franchise and The Bahamas, highlighted by its rising star at second base, poised for his first All-Star appearance.

Bahamian culture took centre stage as the Marlins hosted its second “Bahamian Heritage Night” Saturday at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida and despite a 5-3 loss to the New York Mets, it was a night of celebration for Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr and the Bahamian contingent.

A crowd of 18,722 filled the stadium, the third largest crowd of any Marlins home game this season, as opposed to the 7,500 that attended the first Bahamian Heritage night in 2021.

Chisholm wore Bahamian flag themed cleats, batting gloves and a bandanna to commemorate the occasion.

“The first one was definitely crazy, but this year it was outstanding, sold out, all my friends, family, and loved ones came out to support me; I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “It’s a crazy experience when you have all these people that love you and support you and always want you to be yourself and do your best. There’s nothing better than that.”

In the fifth inning, Chisholm brought the crowd to its feet with a double-off Mets starter Chris Bassitt. As he pulled into second base, Chisholm did his “wheel” celebration, and shortly thereafter, the big screen in the stadium showed his grandmother Patricia Coakley in the crowd mimicking the celebration.

“I heard everybody out there, I heard my grandma, I saw her doing the wheel celebration when I hit the double; all of them were doing that up there,” he said. “It was crazy to just have that out there.”

Chisholm had an opportunity to tie the game in the eighth with the Marlins trailing 4-3, but his shot to center field fell just short. He finished 1-4 on the night. “I definitely wanted that homer. There was nothing more I wanted to do than to do the Euro step with grandma. I think she would have hit it with me, too. It would’ve been sick,” he said. “But it’s okay. We fought hard. We played hard and never gave up until the end. I’m proud of my boys every day.”

Following the game, Chisholm held court with scores of family and friends on the field wearing a gift from his grandmother, a homemade crown of Bahamian flag colors with the phrase “Prince Jazz, the legend has returned.”

“Back home, a lot more young people are interested in baseball because they know they can just have fun and enjoy the game,” he said. “Growing up, a lot of people never really thought of it that way; there were a lot of rules in baseball, but now they see that you can go out there, have fun and do whatever you want. It’s a great feeling to be a part of that.”

The celebration featured a pregame Junkanoo rush-out led by The Bahamas Junkanoo Revue of Miami and legendary Junkanooers Barabbas Woodside and Langston Longley, as well as a postgame concert featuring popular rhythmic Bahamian music. Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The purchase of a Bahamian Heritage package included an exclusive Bahamian Heritage Marlins jersey and access to the pregame and postgame events. This year, spectators also received a collectible Chisholm bobblehead souvenir, presented by loanDepot.

Part proceeds from the special ticket package will go to The Bahamas Baseball Association to increase investment in local baseball.

Fans celebrated well into the night after gametime enjoying their insight into Bahamian culture.
Antonio Santagelo, a New Yorker now living in South Florida, said he came for the Mets but enjoyed the entire Bahamian Heritage night experience.

“I’m a Mets fan, I come from a family of Mets fans, and we’re having an awesome season, but this is the most fun I think I’ve ever had at a baseball game,” he said. “The music they had before the game with the festival, the concert after the game, these giveaways. The energy in there was crazy, man. Jazz is a star; the game was really good, but Pete Alonso’s the man, and my Mets won, so I couldn’t ask for a better night.”
The Mets’ slugger hit a pair of home runs to power the offense of the National League East leaders.

Elliot Rolle, a Bahamian resident in South Florida, said: “I love the Heritage nights. I know they have Italian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and some other countries, but nobody does it big like The Bahamas. We give the people Junkanoo and Jazz. That’s what it’s all about.

“It’s a fun night, and it also helps that he’s a great player. I hope he keeps this going not just for these nights but for a lot of the other young Bahamian kids looking up to him, pushing to get to this spot.”

Chisholm emerged as the leading voting getter for National League’s second baseman after the first return of 2022 MLB All-Star ballots.

In phase one of voting, he leads all second basemen with 634,762 votes, followed by Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves with 589,804 and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets with 580,257.

Chisholm will need to finish among the top two at the position through the first phase of fan voting, which concludes on June 30. Ballots can be cast on MLB.com up to five times a day every 24 hours.

“It feels great, the American people, the Bahamian people that have been supporting me, everyone that has been showing me love, it just feels great, and it’s always a great time,” Chisholm said. “I can’t thank my friends and family enough, and I’m just excited to be in the position that I’m in.”

‘Jazz’ at center stage during Bahamian Heritage Celebration

Nassau Guardian

June 23, 2022

The Miami Marlins are gearing up to host the second edition of the Bahamian Heritage Celebration at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA.

The celebration will center around Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. when he and the Marlins take on the New York Mets at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday. The evening will be recognized as ‘Jazz’ Chisholm’s Bobblehead Day at the park.

Chisholm, a 24-year-old infielder with the Marlins, is the seventh Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is having a productive season with the Marlins, who are 13 games behind the league-leading Mets in the National League East Division of MLB. The Mets have a 45-25 win/loss record, while the Marlins are at 30-36.

The celebration is a collaborative initiative by the Marlins; Bahamas Consulate General Miami; Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA), shining a spotlight on Chisholm while simultaneously introducing ticket holders to varying aspects of Bahamian culture.

Against the backdrop of Bahamian-themed colors – aquamarine, gold, and black – the celebration will feature a pregame Junkanoo rush out led by The Bahamas’ Junkanoo Revue of Miami and legendary Junkanooers Quentin ‘Barabbas’ Woodside and Langston Longley, as well as a postgame concert featuring popular rhythmic Bahamian music.

Bahamians throughout Florida, the wider USA, and across the Bahamian archipelago are encouraged to bring their Bahamian flags, goatskin drums, and other paraphernalia to the special Bahamian heritage celebratory game. It is to be noted. However, noisemakers such as cowbells and wind instruments are strictly prohibited in the stadium.

The purchase of a Bahamian Heritage Celebration ticket package includes an exclusive Bahamian Heritage Marlins jersey and access to the pregame and postgame events. This year, spectators will also have a chance to receive a collectible ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. bobblehead souvenir, presented by loanDepot.

Part proceeds from the special ticket package will go to the BBA to increase investment in local baseball. General game tickets do not grant attendees access to the exclusive Bahamian Heritage Celebration T-shirt or events. Tickets for the game and celebration can be found at https://www.mlb.com/marlins/tickets.

Bahamians turned out in large numbers to celebrate Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. for the second edition of Bahamian Heritage Night during the Miami Marlins and New York Mets game at LoanDepot Park in Mi
A young fan shows off her “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. Bobblehead during Bahamian Heritage Night at the Miami Marlins and New York Mets game, at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on Saturday.

JAZZ Chisholm Jr shows off his Bahamian colors at the Bahamian Heritage Night held at the Miami Marlins Stadium on Saturday. The event was a celebration of the relationship between the franchise and The Bahamas. Photos: 10th Year Seniors

Lucius Fox working to get back to Washington Nationals in MLB

CONGRATULATIONS

JAZZ!

First Bahamian voted to All-Star Game of Major League Baseball

Mission

Our mission is to manage, serve, and promote the game of baseball throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at all levels of play. We aim to assist members and participants in their various forms of involvement and development within the game.

Vision

To be recognized and respected as one of the premier countries in the region for developing talented baseball players, which will afford them the opportunity for higher education and the chance to reach the professional ranks of baseball.

Overview of Baseball in the Bahamas

The great sport of baseball experienced almost three decades of non-growth and inactivity in our country. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the sport began to witness a resurgence with the efforts of a handful of dedicated individuals and the return of collegiate baseball players who wanted to play the game at home. This reignited a revival of baseball in the country.

Many individuals involved agreed that a concentration must be placed on developing youth programs to have sustainable growth for the future due to the prolonged inactivity of the sport. As a result, primary focus and emphasis were placed on youth baseball in the early ‘90s, with a high concentration on skill development.

We then witnessed the emergence of vibrant youth programs like Freedom Farm, Junior Baseball League of Nassau on New Providence, and Grand Bahama Little League, Legacy Baseball League out of Freeport, and Grand Bahama.

These leagues became very active, traveling and competing throughout the Caribbean and United States. While they had similar goals to develop young boys into outstanding baseball players and productive citizens, they chartered individual courses.

February 2003 was a historic year for baseball in the Bahamas as it was the rebirth of a governing body among the active leagues that would oversee and control the direction of baseball in the country. The federation’s two major objectives were:

1. Formulate the process of selecting National Teams from all age brackets to represent the Bahamas in the international arena; and

2. Create a national event that would allow member leagues from various family islands an opportunity to compete against each other.

Another objective was realized in June 2003 by creating the premier event, the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championship, named in honor of the first Bahamian Major Leaguer, the late Andre Rodgers.

About the National Baseball Championship

In June 2003, the first historic National Baseball Championship (NBC) was hosted on the island of New Providence with five member associations (Freedom Farm, Junior Baseball League of Nassau, Grand Bahama Little League, Legacy Baseball League, and New Providence Amateur Baseball League) with 16 All-Star Teams.

Over the next six years, NBC remained on the island of New Providence and continued to have tremendous growth and participation from other family islands. By 2008, NBC saw the participation of seven islands and 29 All-Star Teams. During these many successful years, the Grand Bahama base leagues expressed a passion and desire to host the NBC on its island. Shortly after the 2009 NBC, the organizing committee in Grand Bahama was awarded the hosting of the June 2010 National Baseball Championship.

BAHAMIAN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS – Past & Present

Lucius Kadeem Fox Jr

LUCIUS KADEEM FOX JR. - Long road to MLB

Lucius Fox’s diving stop

Lucius Fox’s game-tying bunt

become the 8th Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) on April 10, 2022, as a member of the Washington Nationals.

Lucius Kadeem Fox Jr. became the 8th Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) on April 10, 2022, as a member of the Washington Nationals.

In his MLB debut, he drove in the tying run in the 8th inning against the New York Mets as the Nationals took a come-from-behind victory in Washington, DC.

Born July 2, 1997, in Nassau, Bahamas, he began playing baseball when he was seven years old. He played high school baseball at American Heritage High School in Delray Beach, Florida.

In 2015, he signed a professional baseball contract during MLB international free agent draft at age 17 in the San Francisco Giants organization. He was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the Giants system despite not yet making his professional debut.

On August 1, 2016, the Giants traded Fox to the Tampa Bay Rays. Injuries prevented him from playing for the Rays after the trade due to a bone bruise on his foot.

He represented the World Team in the All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park, Miami, Florida, in July 2017, when he was ranked by Baseball America as the No.7 prospect in the Rays system.

Known for speed and base running skills, Lucius was named “Minor League Base Runner of the Year” in 2018 by the Tampa Rays baseball operations department after hitting .268/.351/.341 with 3 home runs, driving in 39 runs, and having an organization-leading 29 stolen bases in 116 games.

In 2018, named to the Florida State League mid-season All-Star Team while ranked 5th in league with a .371 OBP and 8th in batting with a .282 average. He was seen as the Best Defensive Infielder in the organization.

During the 2019 season, he hit a combined .221/.331/.327/.658 with 3 home runs, 34 RBI, and stole 39 bases. Fox was added to the Rays 40–man roster following the season.

However, Kansas City Royals acquired him from the Rays on August 27, 2020.
Lucius stands 6’1”, weighs 192 lbs., throws right-handed, and is a switch-hitter.

In 2021 with the Royals, Lucius batted .245 with a .353 on-base percentage with 15 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 runs batted in, 37 walks, 19 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in 62 games in Kansas City’s minor league system.

On July 30, 2021, Fox was promoted to the big leagues for the first time, but he did not appear in the Royals’ game against the Toronto Blue Jays and was sent back to Triple-A the next day.

When the Royals waived Fox, Baltimore Orioles claimed him on November 19, 2021. Eleven days later, Washington Nationals claimed Fox when the Orioles attempted to pass him through waivers again.

Lucius is co-founder of “Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise” in the Bahamas during the offseason, which includes a youth baseball camp.

JAZZ CHISHOLM JR. – Sensational rookie in MLB 2021

The Bahamas has seen several players drafted into the Major League Baseball organizations, but more players signed as free agents. As of 2021, there’s one Bahamian in Major League Baseball – Jazz Chisholm Jr. with the Miami Marlins, who joined the big leagues in September 2020.

ANTOAN EDWARD RICHARDSON - 1st Bahamian to coach in MLB

Antoan Edward Richardson played outfield for Atlanta Braves (2011) and New York Yankees (2014). On December 23, 2019, he was named first base coach of the National League’s San Francisco Giants and new manager Gabe Kapler. Known for his running speed, Richardson’s responsibility includes coaching Giants base runners and outfielders. He is the first Bahamian to coach in MLB.

Antoan Edward Richardson played outfield for Atlanta Braves (2011) and New York Yankees (2014). He was named first base coach of the San Francisco Giants of the National League, becoming the first Bahamian to coach in the big leagues. Known for his running speed, Richardson on December 23, 2019, was named the first-base coach of the San Francisco Giants under new manager Gabe Kapler, with the added responsibility of coaching Giants baserunners and outfielders.

Antoan attended and played baseball at Palm Beach Community College, Florida, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. The Giants drafted him in the 35th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut in 2011.

Richardson founded the non-profit organization Project Limestone to provide youth programs that encourage young people to respect their peers, to work together, to define their goals, and set them on a path to achieve those goals. It’s the focus is in the classroom, in sports, and in the community
Antoan attended and played baseball at Palm Beach Community College, Florida, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. The Giants drafted him in the 35th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut in 2011. Antoan Edward Richardson is the 1st Bahamian to coach in MLB.

Andre Rodgers - first Bahamian to play MLB

An infielder, he played for the New York Giants/San Francisco Giants (1957-1960), Chicago Cubs (1961-1964), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1965-1967). He was the first Bahamian to play in MLB.

In 1962, he became the regular Cubs shortstop when Hall of Famer Ernie Banks moved to first base. Rodgers also played one season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Taiyo Whales (1969). In an 11-year career, Rodgers compiled a .249 batting average with 45 home runs and 245 runs batted in over 854 games. He stood 6 feet, 3 inches tall, weighed 200 lbs., and batted and threw right-handed.

He opened the door for countrymen to follow. The Bahamas national baseball stadium in Nassau is named in his honor. Rodgers died at the age of 70 in 2004.

Tony Curry - an outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies & Cleveland Indians (1960-1966)

Standing at 5 feet, 11 inches (1.80 m) tall, and 185 lbs. (84 kg), Curry threw and batted left-handed. Curry’s 12-year (1957–68) professional career got off to a promising start. He batted .333, .293, and .313 during his first three Minor League Baseball (MiLB) seasons, with extra-base power.

In 1959 in Class A baseball, Curry belted 49 doubles, nine triples, and 23 home runs, with 90 runs batted in (RBI). He led the Eastern League in runs scored and hits. For his efforts, he was named Most Valuable Player.

In 1960, Curry spent the entire season on the Phillies’ major league roster and appeared in 95 games, 55 of them as a starting outfielder. He was second in the National League (NL) batting race on May 14, peaking at .388.

Curry hit his first and second MLB homer at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field in 1960 and ended the season batting .261 with 64 hits, 6 home runs, and 34 RBI.

Curry died on October 16, 2006, at age 68.

Ed Armbrister - outfielder, Cincinnati Reds (1973-1977)

Armbrister played outfield for the Reds, which won three National League pennants and two World Series championships between 1973 and 1976. He played in the minor leagues from 1967 to 1973.

Armbrister will forever be the talk of World Series drama. In the 10th inning of Game 3 of the 1975 World Series, with a runner on base and nobody out, Armbrister collided, ever so slightly, with Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk at home plate while starting to run out a sacrifice bunt.

Fisk’s wild throw to second base allowed the base runner to reach third base and eventually score the game’s winning run. Home plate umpire Larry Barnett did not make an interference call on Armbrister, a decision that was a source of heated debate after the Reds’ 6–5 victory.

He was included in a blockbuster trade on November 29, 1971, when the Cincinnati Reds acquired him from the Houston Astros along with Hall of Famer Joe Morgan and three other players. The trade helped to transform the Reds into the juggernaut known as the Big Red Machine that would dominate the National League for the next five seasons.

Armbrister made his MLB debut on August 31, 1973, at the age of 25, entering as a pinch hitter for baseball legend Pete Rose and striking out in his only plate appearance in a 10–4 win over the San Diego Padres.

He hit his first home run five days later against the Astros. He finished his rookie year with a .216 batting average with one home run and five runs batted in (RBIs) in 18 games played.

Armbrister played in 73 games during the 1976 season, the most in his career, batting a career-best .295. He made a sacrifice bunt in his only plate appearance in the 1976 National League Championship Series (NLCS) and did not play in the Reds’ 4-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the 1976 World Series.

Armbrister played his final MLB game on October 2, 1977, at the age of 29. He finished his final season with a .256 batting average with one home run and five RBIs in 65 games. For his career, he batted .245 with 4 home runs and 19 RBIs in 224 games.

He was inducted into the Bahamas National Hall of Fame in 2008. He died on March 17, 2021.

Wenty Ford - pitcher, Atlanta Braves (1973)

He stood at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighed 165 pounds (75 kg). Ford’s professional career lasted 10 complete seasons (1966-75), all spent in the Atlanta Braves organization. He appeared in four MLB games for the 1973 Braves.

He signed with the Braves as an undrafted free agent. He was promoted to the Major Leagues in September 1973 after his eighth season in the Atlanta minor league system, during a time he won 17 of 24 decisions with an earned run average of 2.46 with the Braves.

In his Major League debut on September 10, 1973, against the San Francisco Giants at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Ford pitched a complete game which the Braves won 10-4. His opposing pitcher was Hall of Fame Juan Marichal. Ford gave up five hits (four of them singles) and six bases on balls, with three strikeouts. He also earned two singles in four at-bats.

Ford finished his MLB career with a 1-2 win-loss record, allowing 17 hits and eight bases on balls, with four strikeouts, in 16⅓ innings pitched.

He died at age 33 July 1980.

Wilfred Culmer – outfielder/designated hitter, Cleveland Indians (1983)

Culmer originally played baseball in the Bahamas after graduating from CC Sweeting High School and was considered to be one of the country’s best home run hitters with great speed, especially for a big man at 6’3, 210 lbs.

He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977 as an amateur free agent and began his professional career in 1978 as a rookie ball when he batted .358 in 55 games.

In 1980, Culmer compiled a .369 batting average with 184 hits, both leading the Carolina League. He also had 18 home runs, 93 runs batted in, and 26 stolen bases. He was added to the Phillies’ 40-man MLB roster after the season.

In 1980, Culmer compiled a .369 batting average with 184 hits; both led the Carolina League. He also had 18 home runs, 93 runs batted in, and 26 stolen bases. He was added to the Phillies’ 40-man MLB roster after the season.

In 1981, he batted .282 on average in 120 games and batted .288 in 1982 with 14 home runs in 119 games. After the season, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

Culmer made the Indians roster out of spring training. In his MLB debut on April 12, 1983, he got two hits in three at-bats. He played in six more games in the big leagues before being returned to the minor league.

After a 1984 season – split between the Buffalo Bisons and Maine Guides – Culmer retired and returned to the Bahamas. He died in 2003.