Monthly Archives: January 2010

Baseball’s Roots in Panama

Posted on January 31, 2010 by | 8 Comments

A 1955 Topps card of Humberto Robinson when he pitched for the Milwaukee Braves.

by Lydia M. Reid

When we think of baseball in Panama today we immediately think of Mariano Rivera, Carlos Lee and other young professionals who have kept Panama on firm footing in the sport of baseball. There was a time, however, as with horseracing and boxing, that Panama’s participation in baseball was closely linked to the vigor and skill of the Westindian players dating as far back as the Panama Railroad and Canal construction days. These were the players that put Panama on the road to Baseball glory. Continue reading →

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Posted in Baseball in Panama, Baseball players of Panama, West Indian Athletes of Panama

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Yankin

Posted on January 27, 2010 by | 9 Comments

Our transformation into “Spanish” Panamanian Westindians was undoubtedly leaving its mark not only on kids like me but in the field of world labor relations. Westindian laborers had united with their Panamanian Spanish speaking counterparts to confront the mighty U.S. Army brass and the Panamanian political machinery that had traditionally collaborated until the mid 1920′s to stifle all laborers’ claims. Continue reading →

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Posted in Baseball in Panama, Baseball players of Panama, Spur Cola Baseball Team

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What’s in a Name?

Posted on January 22, 2010 by | 4 Comments

I was a surprise even to myself, I thought, by the time I’d reached those days in the sixth grade. I also felt as though I were a hypocrite speaking Spanish and writing it much better than my classmates both Spanish and Westindian. I had evolved culturally, in fact, right along with my proficiency in the two languages of my birth. There were definite signs around me, however, that I lived in a changed, bi-cultural/bilingual society. Continue reading →

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Putting Things in Perspective

Posted on January 21, 2010 by | 2 Comments


Even animals know when to get things in perspective!

To all our faithful readers and subscribers we apologize for the lapse in posting articles. We’ve had some hectic moments these past couple of weeks. We will return soon with more about the Silver People of Panama.

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Armando Boza- Musician and Orchestra Director Extraordinaire. Part II

Posted on January 14, 2010 by | 9 Comments

Armando Boza accompanies Beny More.

Armando Boza in a classic group photo.

Images thanks to www.mambo-inn.com .

In June of 1958, Cuban singer and composer, Beny Moré (Bartolomé Moré) arrived in Panama to give radio and live presentations in the capitol and in the interior of the country.

When Beny discovers that Armando Boza was in the country he immediately requests that he be backed by his orchestra since Boza had accompanied him during two previous “Carnavals” in Panama with resounding success. The same thing happened in Lima when Boza backed Beny up along with Cuban pianist Rolando Columbie. This is just a glimpse into the quality of Boza’s performance as a professional musician. Continue reading →

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Armando Boza- Musician and Orchestra Director Extraordinaire. Part I

Posted on January 11, 2010 by | Leave a comment

This is Armando Boza and his original La Perfecta. He is the standing figure in the middle. Image thanks to Critica.com

It is indeed difficult to follow up someone like Victor Boa but with all the buzz about Jazz in Panama this week, when Panama is again (for the seventh year) hosting the Panama Jazz Festival, only the great Armando Boza was a fitting profile to come next. Continue reading →

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