After Fidel Castro's take over of Cuba's government in January 1959 there was a brief period between 1959 and 1961 where Cubans playing in America in the majors and minor leagues were free to come and go between Cuba pretty freely. That ended when Castro's ties to the Soviet Union and Communism strengthened and the USA applied diplomatic and trade sanctions. By the offseason of 1961-62 Cuban players were forced to choose between their homeland and life in America.
This photo from November 1959 during the "honeymoon period" featured the two biggest celebtities among Cubans at that time: Fidel Castro and Minnie Minoso. (Source: From National Baseball Hall of Fame Library & Photo Archives).
