Having a team made up of emigrated Cuban players in the next World Baseball Classic is “a complex project, but it is not impossible,” he told 14ymedio the coordinator of the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players, Mario Fernández, with a view to the event scheduled for 2023.
The initiative is already promoted among the teams of the Major Leagues of the USA through the renowned players Orlando The Duke Hernández, Edilberto Oropesa, René Arocha, Euclides Rojas and Ariel Prieto.
The integration, in an external team, of players considered, by the Island Government, as “deserters” or “traitors to the country”, generates a confrontation with the Cuban Baseball Federation, admits Fernández. But the coordinator warns that what he has done in Havana is “discriminate” against athletes who participate in the Major Leagues and minor leagues by excluding them from playing in a World Classic.
“The association will directly ask Major League Baseball for the inclusion of a competitive selection” and made up of figures such as Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman, White Sox first baseman José Abreu, Tampa Bay right fielder Randy Arozarena, outfielder William Count Heredia, the recently recognized with the Gold Glove Yulieski Gurriel, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., among others.
The proposal is not simple because “Cuba already has an official team,” Fernández explains, which is why the Association of Players is going to be resorted to, which “we understand must support the players who are part of the roster of 40 who are inside the union”.
The Players Association is going to be used, which “we understand must support the players who are part of the roster of 40 who are within the union,” said Mario Fernández
Astros player Yulieski Gurriel advancement to the portal SwingFullthat in the play off there were approaches with an athlete who is now in the Federation. He told her that if the proposal came from everyone and an official proposal was made “there were no problems… it is something that may be possible.”
“The initiative has so far more challenges than certainties. However, the main intention is to make visible the voice of thousands of players who cannot represent their country”, considered the journalist Francy Romero in FR. “Professional baseball in Cuba was abolished in March 1962. After 60 years, Cuba has not summoned professional players or emigrants, unless they decide to repatriate and adhere to the precepts of the authorities on the Island.”
Mario Fernández specifies to this newspaper that the formation of a selective is the main objective, but to achieve this, an association was formed beforehand, which has already sent letters signed by The Duke Hernández to the players who make up the 40-and-star MLB squad.
On March 15, they will offer at the Versailles restaurant in Miami, the Conference on the formation of the association that is backed by 10 retired Cuban baseball players, who “have already talked with the active athletes” to start the team.
“If for some reason the Cuban baseball team is not included in the World Baseball Classic, agreements are being reached to play friendly and preparation matches with teams from the US, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, as well as Veterans Fundraiser” for retired baseball players in need.
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