Sugar Land Imperials

I want to thank Roland Rodriguez for letting me scan these photos from his family scrapbook.  They show him when he played for the Sugar Land Imperials, a Hispanic team sponsored by the Imperial Sugar Company in the 1950s.  

  

I've explained this before, but they played in the old West End Ball Park at the end of old Imperial Boulevard.

The relevance of these photos is that the Sugar Land Skeeters have scheduled a 'Turn Back The Clock Night' for June 10th.  The team will wear replicas of the jersey and cap Roland is wearing in the first two images. The Skeeters will auction the game-worn replicas and allow winning fans an opportunity to meet players on the field for autographs of their replica souvenirs. Proceeds will go to the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.  I'll have much more on this event in late May.

Roland Rodriguez in his Imperials uniform c. 1950

Roland Rodriguez in his Imperials uniform c. 1950

Imperials team photo in the mid 1950s

Photo of the St. Theresa Knights in mid-1960s with anager Roland Rodriguez in the back row