Cuban pitcher Raidel Martínez surprised the inhabitants of the humble community where he was born in the province of Pinar del Ríoby giving a bag with different products to their neighbors before the arrival of the Christmas.
In a publication by coach José Manuel Cortina on his Facebook profile, you can see the right-handed Vueltabajero giving the bags to several residents grateful for the gesture, which contributes to his countrymen having a better celebration for the end of the year in the midst of the shortages.
The gesture of the stellar closer of the Yomiuri Giants, in the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB, for its acronym in English), came to light due to a comment from a teammate during training.
Raidel, who is taking advantage of this time to enlist under Cortina’s orders for the next campaign in Japan, was present in that conversation and expressed that “one cannot forget one’s roots.”
According to the right-handed turner, he decided not to publicize the delivery of his contribution because “he was only doing his duty,” without expecting “anything in return.”
Following Cortina’s publication, however, Raidel’s gesture began to be replicated on social networks and aroused many comments of admiration and respect towards the player.
Raidel has achieved great success since he arrived in professional baseball in Japan, protected by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) to play with the Chunichi Dragons, who had him as their star closer for seven seasons.
Raidel Martínez lands in the Yomiuri Giants with a historic contract
At the end of 2024, the fast man from Pinar del Río joined the Yomiuri Giants for the next two seasons through a contract close to 20 million dollars, considered one of the highest in the history of the Japanese championship.
During his last campaign with the Dragons he set his personal record for games saved up to 43, a figure he managed to surpass in his first season with his new team.
In this year also reached the impressive mark of 200 rescuesa number that only 11 pitchers have been able to reach in the tournament.
With his feat, Raidel became the first Latin pitcher to achieve this, and the second among those born outside of Japan.
