J.C. Newman Cigar Co. introduced Tampa Smokers cigars at an event hosted by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame at J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. This new cigar celebrates the Tampa Smokers, a minor-league baseball team that played in the Cigar City from 1919 to 1954. Numerous Major League Baseball alumni attended last night’s event, including Wade Boggs, Clint Hurdle, and Dave Magadan.
 
“Baseball and cigars are two of America’s historic pastimes,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “It seems only fitting to celebrate the new baseball season with a cigar that honors Tampa’s historic minor-league baseball team, the Tampa Smokers.”

A century ago, Tampa was known as the Fine Cigar Capital of the World. The 150 cigar factories in Tampa handcrafted more than 500 million cigars per year. In 1919, Tampa’s local baseball team was named the Tampa Smokers to celebrate its place as Cigar City. Many famous athletes played for the Tampa Smokers, including Al Lopez, who was the son of cigar workers and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A photo of the 1947 Tampa Smokers team from the Smithsonian Institution.

“The Tampa Smokers packaging incorporates the original design of the Tampa Smokers jersey, which prominently featured a Tampa cigar,” said Newman. “These special cigars are packed in boxes with rounded corners that are reminiscent of the shape of a baseball.”

Tampa Smokers cigars are hand rolled at J.C. Newman’s iconic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida.