In the Cuban League, no rivalry was more intense than that between Habana and Almendares as the teams' mottoes will attest. For Habana: ``La leña roja tarda pero llega'' means ``The red beating may be late in arriving, but it is inevitable.'' For Almendares: El que le gane al Almendares se muere means ``He who defeats Almendares dies from the effort.''

In 2,891 games over the course of 74 seasons, Habana compiled a 1,553-1,338 record (.537), finishing first 30 times, second 22, third 16 and fourth six. Habana adopted red as its official color since the club's inception, and its fans bestowed the name Leones, Lions, on the club for the aggressive and fiery nature of it players. In 2,826 games over the course of 71 seasons, Almendares compiled a 1,522-1,304 record (.539), finishing first 25 times, second 24, third 14 and fourth eight.

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