The Question: If the Caribbean area had its own team in one of the major leagues, would the team be in contention for the pennant? (Asked in Cuba and the Dominican Republic)

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ORIGINAL LAYOUT

MARCOS A. GOMEZ JR.
Mayor, Ciudad Trujillo
Dominican Republic
Certainly. We're developing enough stars to field two teams, one for the first division of each major league. Enough players would be left to play in a minor league. The Dominican Republic would win a major league pennant if we had the honor of representing our area.

ANTONIO LEYBA
Second Secretary
Dominican Embassy
It's possible right now. We can support major league baseball. Our ball parks are packed: and we've just started playing pro baseball. Many great players from Latin American countries have gone into the big leagues. Every boy plays baseball, and a new crop comes up every year.

ROBERTO MADURO
President
Cuban Sugar Kings
Havana
Yes. My lineup would be Sam Noble, c; Vic Pellot (Power), lb; Bobby Avila, 2b; Hector Lopez, 3b; Chico Carrasquel, ss; Minnie Minoso, If; Jim Rivera, cf; Sandy Amoros, rf; pitchers, Ruben Gomez, Ramon Monzant, Pedro Ramos, Sandy Consuegra, Mike Fornieles, José Santiago.

DR. LUIS J. BOTIFOLL
President, Union Radio
Havana
At the present, no. Most of those who play in winter leagues are under contract to others. It would take time. Take our own Cuban Sugar Kings. Their first year in the International League was difficult. Now they are improved. In time we could compete in the majors.

FRANCIS L. McCARTHY
United Press Bureau Manager
Havana
Latins are smart players. They'd finish no better than third only because of physical handicaps. They just don't have the build or physical stamina for a rigorous schedule of 154 games. Twice, the Cuban Sugar Kings lacked the bone, meat and muscle for the stretch.

MILTON GUSS
Editor
Havana Post
This team, with Havana as the home base, would be a natural for the big leagues. As a drawing card they'd be terrific. By pooling their talent and buying a few key players, they'd be a contender in either league. This all-star Caribbean team might change the entire balance in the majors.

DR. RAFAEL GUAS INCLAN
Vice-President of Cuba
In Cuba baseball is so thoroughly impregnated into our lives that you cannot go to the most rural area without seeing boys and even girls playing baseball. If it would be possible for us to assemble our stars in the major leagues into one team, we would be hard to beat.

BURKE HEDGES
Textile manufacturer
Havana
We'd definitely be a threat in any pennant year. Our climatic conditions enable us to play all year. Contrary to popular opinion, Cubans are big men. I know. I employ thousands of them. Sugar may be our most stable export, but our most famous export to the U.S. is baseball players.

NINE PHOTOS

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