Long Island's Hidden Past: Cuban Giants of Babylon

In 1885, the head waiter of the Argyle Hotel in Babylon came up with the idea of putting together a baseball team made up of waiters to entertain guests.

News 12 Staff

Oct 3, 2019, 8:00 AM

Updated 1,669 days ago

Share:

Baseball and the Town of Babylon have always been a winning combination.
It's the summer of 1885, the head waiter of the Argyle Hotel in Babylon came up with the idea of putting together a baseball team made up of waiters to entertain guests. The Cuban Giants were an overnight success.
"They were neither Cuban nor Giants," says town historian Mary Cascone.
There's a story about how they pretended to be Cubans and that they would even speak gibberish to one another on the field.
Hear more about the Cuban Giants and Babylon baseball in a companion podcast for the News 12 Talks Long Island podcast:
James Barton, a famous entertainer who loved the game, decided that if he built it in West Babylon they would come.
"He decides to build a stadium that would include night games," says Cascone. "It was the first night game played in Suffolk County.
undefined
But the best Town of Babylon baseball story involves a big time, big name on Oct. 18, 1930.
Babe Ruth, who loved Lindenhurst for the fishing and easy access to booze during prohibition, agreed to play a game with his teammates, including Lou Gehrig against the local Babylon team.
It is estimated that 3,000 people watched.


More from News 12
DA: 2 people accused of hiding body parts on Long Island to face additional charges

DA: 2 people accused of hiding body parts on Long Island to face additional charges

2:18
Scattered thunderstorm chances for the Hudson Valley; Monday will feel like summer

Scattered thunderstorm chances for the Hudson Valley; Monday will feel like summer

2:01
Authorities: Newburgh fire displaces 18 residents, including 6 children

Authorities: Newburgh fire displaces 18 residents, including 6 children

0:33
Police: Home burglary reported in Mamaroneck

Police: Home burglary reported in Mamaroneck

0:21
Police: Shots fired in Poughkeepsie; no injuries reported

Police: Shots fired in Poughkeepsie; no injuries reported

1:57
'Halfway to Halloween' in Cogers celebrates terminally ill 2-year-old girl's favorie holiday

'Halfway to Halloween' in Cogers celebrates terminally ill 2-year-old girl's favorie holiday

0:24
Officials rescue person when kayak capsizes in Beacon

Officials rescue person when kayak capsizes in Beacon

0:26
Authorities: Fire breaks out at Lagrangeville car wash

Authorities: Fire breaks out at Lagrangeville car wash

1:57
Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

0:43
Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

1:02
Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

0:31
Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!