Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Tamarac man was last of old Washington Senators team
Jose Antonio “Tony” Zardon, a Bay of Pigs survivor who started out playing baseball on the streets of Havana, achieved the American dream when he was signed to play as an outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1945.
Zardon, of Tamarac, was the oldest remaining member of the former Major League Baseball team. He died Tuesday, friends and family said. He was 94.
Zardon was discovered by Joe Cambria, the famous baseball scout who was considered a pioneer in recruiting Latin American players.
“[Zardon] grew up playing baseball and came up through the amateur leagues,” said Sam Zygner, chairman of the South Florida chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. “By 1945, he was part of a major league team.” He spent a season with the Senators.
In 1961, the Senators moved to Minneapolis-St.Paul and became the Minnesota Twins.
Throughout his 12-year pro career, Zardon played in Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and the United States. Among other teams, Zardon played for the Havana Cubans of the Florida International League. As a member of the Cubans on Aug. 31, 1949 — when Miami Stadium celebrated its grand opening game — Zardon was the first batter.
After baseball, Zardon worked at several different jobs, including driving for McArthur Dairy and operating his own cab company.
Later in his life, Zardon enjoyed going to church with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to talk about baseball and share stories with friends and family.
“We’ve had a very loving relationship until the very end. I loved him with all my heart,” said Marlene Saumell-Zardon, his wife of 39 years.
Zardon is also survived by his children Cecilia Zardon-Zumeta, Jacqueline Canela, Eileen Escarda, Marlene Yeager and Ronald E. Escarda, as well as 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Hilda Pereyra and son Jose Zardon Jr.
A service will be at 2 p.m. April 8 at Calvary Chapel, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to 4 Kids Ministry at Calvary.