A strong fielding third baseman who hit in the .250 range with power, Steve Bellan was the first Latin American to play professional baseball in the United States and was one of the pioneers who introduced baseball to Cuba in the 1870's.

A catcher for Fordham (then St. John's College) in 1866-67 and 1867-68, Bellan played three years of semi-pro with Union Morrisania and the Troy Haymakers. He continued to play three seasons of professional baseball with the Haymakers and the New York Mutuals.

After returning to his native Cuba in 1874, Bellan served as player-manager for the Havana town team, leading the club to the first Cuban championship in 1879 and to additional titles in 1880 and 1883. He played in the first organized baseball game in Cuba. He was the first player to hit three home runs in a game in that country.