The New York Times
April 14, 1958, P. 30

Buffalo Refuses to Play Ball in Cuba Despite League’s Threat of Penalties

MIAMI, April 13 (UP) - The directors of the International League today voted to open the baseball season as scheduled in Havana Wednesday but the Buffalo team immediately sent word that it would not show up because of the armed revolt in Cuba.

Frank Shaughnessy, the league president, announced the directors’ action after a closed-door conference, which was not attended by Buffalo representative, Shaughnessy said any club refusing to comply with the schedule adopted Jan. 24 would be subject “to penalties as provided in the constitution of the league.”

The constitution lists as penalties: 1 forfeit of each game not played; 2, $2,000 fine for failure to play an opening-day game, and $500 for each other game; 3, forfeiture of a $25,000 bond, and possible loss of club’s franchise.

Shaughnessy informed Buffalo’s general manager, Don Labbruzo, of the directors action.

Labbruzo contacted the team president, John Stiglmeir, in Buffalo by telephone, and announced that Buffalo would not send its players to Havana.

Shaughnessy said he had telephones Havana and received “assurances” from American Ambassador Earl E. T. Smith that the league’s players would be safe in the Cuban capital.

Bobby Maduro, the owner of the Havana Sugar Kings, attended today’s meeting. He said he definitely would not move his franchise from Havana to a United States city.

Informed of Buffalo’s continued refusal to play in Havana, Maduro said he would be “happy to win four games by forfeit.”