The team that represented Cuba in the V World Baseball Classic (WBC) arrived on the island from the United States at around 9:00 am on a rainy Monday and after putting in the second best historical performance in these tournaments.
At the Havana airport they were received by political and sports authorities, led by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
?| President @DiazCanelB welcomes you to #TeamAsere.
Live #Cuba! ?? pic.twitter.com/Wx9GZ05j9D
— Presidency Cuba ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) March 20, 2023
The cast, which in an unprecedented way included Cuban players who play in the MLB, finished in fourth place in the contest, after losing this Sunday to the local representation 2-14 in one of the semifinals, held at the stadium. LoanDepot of the city of Miami.
Those led by Armando Johnson began their journey with successive defeats against the Netherlands and Italy, but the triumphs over Panama and Chinese Taipei, along with other outcomes in the A key based in the Taiwanese city of Taichung, allowed them to advance as leaders.
In Tokyo they took over the quarterfinal match against the Australian team. The narrow 4-3 victory allowed the Cuban team to be included among the best four of the tournament, and advance to the semifinals.
The duel with the United States, the first between these teams in the history of the World Classic, was marked by political demonstrations by those attending the Little Havana stadium, some carrying signs or chanting slogans, and others jumping onto the field to protest against the system. politician and government of the island.
According to reports, the members of the team will tour several streets of Havana to receive a popular welcome and the official reception ceremony will be held at the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum.
In construction…