The legendary left fielder, included among the 100 most outstanding athletes of the 20th century in Cuba, died this Thursday in Havana at the age of 77.
MADRID, Spain.- Cuban baseball lost one of its essential names this Thursday, November 13. Armando Capiró Lafferté, historic slugger of the National Series, died in Havana at the age of 77.
The news, initially spread on social networks by several sources, was confirmed by the National Commissioner for Attention to INDER Athletes, Wilmer Lewis, to journalist Pavel Otero. He also ratified it Omar Venegas, vice president of the organization.
Although he faced several health problems in recent years, the cause of death has not been made public.
Lamentamos el fallecimiento de Armando Capiró, una de las grandes leyendas del béisbol cubano. Su entrega, disciplina y resultados marcaron a generaciones.
Desde el INDER, enviamos nuestras condolencias a su familia y allegados. Su legado permanecerá vivo en nuestro deporte.… pic.twitter.com/bpXYytoxL5
— Omar Venegas Echemendía 🇨🇺 (@venega_omar) November 14, 2025
The boy from Santiago de las Vegas who dreamed of the Latino
Born on March 22, 1948 in Santiago de las Vegas, Boyeros municipality, Armando Capiró grew up surrounded by the passion for baseball. He would remember in several interviews that in high school he went to the Latin American stadium with his friends, a routine that shaped the baseball player he would become.
His beginnings were as a pitcher in the youth and youth categories. In fact, as a pitcher he joined the Cuba team and in 1966 he launched a no hit no runa rare feat for a young man his age. However, his career took a decisive turn thanks to advice from coach Pedro “Natilla” Jiménez, who one day called him aside and recommended: “Capiró, you are a good hitter, stop hitting.” That comment would mark his destiny.
The offensive debut came early. At only 18 years old, and defending Occidentales, he hit a home run against Henequeneros. It was the sign that his power at the bat could take him much further than the mound.
The “Diamond Elegant”, a name for history
Starting in the late 60s, Capiró established himself as one of the most feared hitters in Cuba. In 1969 he was part of the famous “Tanda del terror”, along with other figures of the time. Shortly after, after hitting four hits in five at-bats against Changa Mederos, he became the fourth hitter on the Cuban team.
His most emblematic season came in April 1973, when he broke the record for home runs in the National Series. With 22 home runs he surpassed Agustín Marquetti’s mark of 20.
The narrator Bobby Salamanca baptized him as “The Elegant One with the Diamond.” The way he marked the corner of the plate with the bat before each at-bat, his serene pose and his unmistakable style built a character that transcended statistical data.
Their numbers, however, speak for themselves: in 14 National Series He batted .298, with 162 home runs, 677 runs batted in, 186 doubles, 47 triples, 609 runs scored, a slugging percentage of .492, an OBP of .384 and an OPS of .876. Merits that led him to be selected among the 100 most outstanding Cuban athletes of the 20th century, in March 2001, and to enter the Palmar de Junco Hall of Fame in 2021, in Matanzas.
An abrupt and silent retreat
Capiró’s career ended early. In the late 1970s, a knee injury coincided with a hostile environment: defamations from his then wife about his sexuality and conflicts with the president of the Havana government, Oscar Fernández Mel. After strong discussions, the official decided that “Capiró would no longer play baseball while he was at the head of the government,” a ruling that ended the career of one of the most complete baseball players in the country.
An equally unfair silence also seems to accompany his death. Until the moment of publishing this note, official media such as HIT either Cubadebate They have not mentioned the death.
After his retirement he worked for some years as a trainer at the Havana psychiatric hospital. Later he participated in the tribute to Industriales for its 50th anniversary held in Miami.
Armando Capiró left a sporting legacy marked by elegance, offensive power and professionalism. His name continues to arouse admiration among fans of several generations, who remember an exceptional left fielder and a player who knew how to imprint his own style on and off the field.
His death represents a considerable loss for the history of Cuban baseball, which today says goodbye to one of its most representative players.
