Hiram Bithorn is famous as the first Puerto Rican player to play in the Major Leagues. Displayed is a 1943-44 Hiram Bithorn San Juan signed player/manager contract for winter baseball in the Puerto Rico Semi-Pro Base-Ball League. Bithorn played in the Major Leagues in four seasons: Chicago Cubs (1942-43 & '46), Chicago White Sox (1947). In his first Major League campaign in '43, Bithorn had a 9-14 record. The next year, he improved to 18-12, with a 2.60 ERA. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his service duty, he went 6-5 for the Cubs in '46. He finished his career with a sore arm, pitching only two innings for the Chicago White Sox in '47. In 1951, he was shot by a police officer in Mexico. Bithorn died from his wounds, and a court convicted the police officer of murder. Bithorn, of mixed Danish-German, Scottish, and Spanish descent, is still honored in Puerto Rico as the first Puerto Rican to reach the Major Leagues. Puerto Rico's largest baseball stadium, in San Juan, is named Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The Montreal Expos played 22 regular season games in the stadium in 2003-04. Many great players have played in the Puerto Rican Winter League, now called the Roberto Clemente League: To name some, Clemente, Roy Campanella, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Johnny Bench, and Orlando Cepeda. The offered signed contract is four pages, measuring 8.5x11". Bithorn's salary was $75.00 per week. Bithorn's signature is on Page 2 of the contract. He signed in dark blue or black fountain pen ink. His signature is rare because of his 1951 death. The signature is 9/10. The contract has two punch holes at the top so that the document could be placed in a binder. The contract was also signed by team and league officials. It is in fine condition.