Matanzas, Cuba, Mar 19 (Prensa Latina) Although the masks slow down the momentum of their words, Braudilio Vinent, Antonio Muñoz and Félix Isasi, immortal figures of Cuban baseball, joke today in the red-filled stands of the Victoria de Girón stadium.
Sitting in the boxes behind home plate, the stories come to life with amazing naturalness and the camaraderie is unconditional at the height of the activities of the 35th edition of the All-Star Game in the largest of the Antilles.
With background music and in the midst of an almost deafening hubbub, Muñoz, a man feared during his time at the diamonds, thanks those who join them every year, “because it is a divine opportunity to see each other, hug each other and remember anecdotes” from when they were the protagonists several decades ago.
While the “Giant of the Escambray” speaks, Vinent, considered one of the best pitchers in the island’s history, “fires” several taunts at Isasi and warns him that this time he will have to make statements to the media.
Being close to them is pure happiness. We are brothers, we always take care of each other and the passage of time cannot destroy our friendship, the former pitcher expresses exclusively to Prensa Latina.
In a low tone, Isasi, owner of prodigious hands around second base, also dialogues along these lines: For us it is something incredible. We love each other very much and we live intensely every minute of our meetings.
Quiet, but attentive, Fernando Sánchez, another illustrious former player, smiles and ends up certifying every word of Isasi, Vinent and Muñoz, the latter members of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame since December 27, 2014.
Sánchez highlighted the importance of maintaining these experiences, as well as the performance of the little players from Matanzas and Granma who starred in the Little League game, which officially opened the weekend of the luminaries in a country that cheers every ball and strike.
It is a great joy. We have the opportunity to meet, share and enjoy, added the former outfielder, brother of other historic baseball players such as Wilfredo, Arturo and Armando Sánchez.
Jorge Luis Valdés, Lázaro Junco, among other legends, also retrace the sports park, which will soon host the skills tests and tomorrow the expected clash between Occidentales and Orientales, with mentors Michael González and Eriel Sánchez, in that order, at the helm of the star selections.
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