SABR Series: Paul Scimonelli

Paul Scimonelli will launch his book Joe Cambria: International Super Scout of the Washington Senators, at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum on April 13th. One of the most prolific scouts in baseball history, Joe Cambria almost single-handedly saved the Washington Senators from ruin. Signing a stream of young players from Cuba–as many as 20 per season for three decades–he fed the team affordable talent and kept them competitive during World War II, when many front-liners went to the front lines. Cambria subverted baseball’s color line years before Jackie Robinson broke it, signing light-skinned Cubans–many of African descent–who could pass in the all-white Major Leagues. This first ever biography traces his memorable career, including the shady hiring practices and flamboyant deals that drew rulings from the bench of Kenesaw Mountain Landis.