Baseball is one of the most intangible and enduring parts of Key West’s cultural heritage. In the 1950s, our island fielded a Major League–level team, and over the decades we have sent players into the world have gone on to have standout professional careers.

For Key Westers, baseball is sacred—one of the most cherished expressions of who we are.

Among the greats is Mario Sanchez, pitcher for the Key West All-Stars, who later captured the spirit of island baseball in his intaglios, even depicting himself on his errand cart playing outfield. And Coffee Butler, a Major League–caliber player in the Negro Leagues and one of the finest musicians ever to grace this island, embodied the dual brilliance of Key West talent.

This past weekend, the Old Island Restoration Foundation was honored to welcome Bronson Arroyo—MVP, World Series Champion, musician, and proud son of Key West baseball. Bronson shared music, stories, and memories of growing up on the diamond here at home. In many ways, he follows in the footsteps of Coffee Butler: a world‑class athlete and a world‑class musician shaped by this island.

For 24 years, the Old Island Restoration Foundation (OIRF) worked to codify the historic preservation laws that protect Key West’s architectural legacy. In addition to safeguarding more than 1,600 historic buildings on the National Register, our founders understood that heritage is more than wood and mortar. Our stories, traditions, and cultural practices—like baseball—are equally vital. Together, they form the foundation of our tourism economy and the essence of our identity.

Historic preservation is the backdrop of a theater; cultural heritage—like baseball—is the play itself.