Cuban ex-player Alejo O’Reilly dies at 61

MIAMI, United States. — Former Cuban baseball player Alejo O’Reilly, once a starter for several teams in the center of the country, died today at the age of 61, the victim of a tumor in the urinary tract, reported the Cuban National Baseball Directorate.

“Pain in Cuban baseball due to the death of Alejo O’Reilly Morejón. He shone for Ciego de Ávila during 16 SNs, in which he batted .303, with 240 home runs and 910 RBIs, and represented Cuba with dignity. Our condolences to family and friends, “said the entity in a brief note published on social networks.

Born in Quemado de Güines on February 26, 1961, O’Reilly excelled in baseball from the lower categories until establishing himself as one of the best first basemen in Cuba.

In addition to representing the province of Ciego de Ávila, he was part of the cast of Villa Clara (National Series), as well as Las Villas and Camagüeyanos (Selective Series).

Alejo O’Reilly represented Cuba in various international events, highlighting the Pan American Games in Indianapolis in 1987, where, as a pinch hitter, he had hits and doubles that drove in Cuba’s last runs in the final game against the United States.

In the remembered 1988 World Cup, held in Italy, O’Reilly decided with a home run that left the North American team on the field in the last game of the qualifying stage.

The late athlete also participated in the 1987 Intercontinental Cups in Havana and 1989 in Puerto Rico. In the first of them he was chosen as the most valuable player, setting a record of 11 consecutive hits and leading the sections of home runs (10), slugging, bases traveled and extra-base hits.

Alejo O’Reilly officially retired on January 18, 1997 due to an injury to one of his knees.

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