Former Cuban Baseball Player Choly Naranjo Died in Miami

January 18, 2022

Renowned former Cuban baseball player Lázaro Ramón Gonzalo Naranjo, better known as Choly Naranjo, passed away on January 13th in the city of Miami, Florida, at the age of 88.

Choly, who was one of the legends of Cuban baseball in the 1950s and 1960s, died due to complications after contracting COVID-19.

Choly Naranjo dedicated his life to baseball. Born in 1933, he became a true idol in Luyanó during the 1950s.

In 1951 Naranjo wore the uniform of the Cuba team at the Amateur World Championship, held in Mexico. Just a year later he made his debut in professional baseball in the United States in the Minor Leagues with the Chattanooga and Richmond teams, at 17 years of age.

In total he pitched in the Minor Leagues for 10 seasons. In 1953 with the Havana team in the now-defunct Professional Cuban League he won 8 games and lost 6 with a 3.77 ERA. In 1956 he reached the Major Leagues with the Pirates. With Pittsburgh, he finished with 1-2 and a 4.46 ERA.

Unfortunately, his career was halted by a rare illness that affected his brain and consisted of total loss of sleep. He managed to recover from this condition, but it was already too late to return to a level like the MLB.

During his sports career, Cuban Choly Naranjo won 73 and lost 79 at the professional level in Cuba and the United States.