The Rooster's
Song
The rooster is an important symbol in Cuban culture. It represents strength and power. I left Cuba at the age of four, so I didn't have any idea of what a rooster sounded like when it crowed, unless I heard it on TV. It was when I spent some time with my sister and mother in Tennessee that I appreciated the song of the rooster. She had a big beautiful Rhode Island Red that sang it's heart out each and every morning. Though it pissed off a few of the cousins staying there, it was magical to me. So I designed this beautiful t-shirt in honor of my Sister's rooster, who's name I won't say to protect the innocent.
While baseball leagues in Cuba date back to 1878, the Cuban Winter League really got its start in 1900 when American players began spending the off-season on the island competing against native stars. My dad played semi-pro ball. Third basement. for a couple of teams in Havana.
He bounced around 2-3 teams. When we came to the United States we became true Dodger fans. We would go to a couple of games a year. One of his favorite dodgers was the skipper himself, Mr. Tommy LaSorda. In Memory of my dad, Rolando Vega, I designed the Cuban Winter League graphics to show that vintage era.
Cuban Winter League
La Sirena
The Mermaid is known for her song. A beautiful sound that lures in any man within distance. La Sirena Cubana, plays it's conga drum with a soft distant rhythm that could be heard from miles away. So be careful guys and try not to get caught up in that Cuban beat. It's intoxicating. I designed this shirt in honor of what makes Cuba so special; its music. You just can't resist it. No matter where you are, once you hear it, you feel it, then your caught.
When my family left Cuba in 1965, we landed in Miami where we stayed for a couple of days. From there we went to stay with family in Kansas. What took us there was a 1957 Chevy. We called her La Perra. This car was always breaking down in the middle of nowhere. With all the complaining and wining about the car, we failed to realize that it got us from Florida to Kansas.
Class of 57
Boxeo Cubano
Cuba and boxing is like bacon & eggs, peanut butter & chocolate, It just goes so well together. It was a magical time when the U.S. team would come to Cuba and get there Asses handed to them. We haven't seen that in a long time. Some of us never saw it. My dad would tell me how he went to the boxing matches and for five cents, he would get a match and food. Those were the happiest times in his life.