Search results for: Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman Has Two Options To Play in the World Classic: Great Britain and the US

The British team agreed to be part of the preselection, although the Americans also want him. 14ymedio/Swing Completo, Havana, June 17, 2025 — Baseball player Aroldis Chapman, the “Cuban Missile,” has chances to play in the 2026 World Classic, but not with Cuba. Great Britain extended an invitation to him, and although the athlete said … Continue reading “Aroldis Chapman Has Two Options To Play in the World Classic: Great Britain and the US”

“I Was a Traitor and Now They Want Us To Go Play,” Aroldis Chapman Refuses To Join the Cuban Team

Players who “deserted or breached contracts” will not reinforce the island, according to ‘Swing Completo’ 14ymedio/Swing Completo, Havana, 10 March 2025 — Baseball player Aroldis Chapman, known as the Cuban Missile, rejected the Cuban Baseball Federation’s (FCB) plan to reinforce with exiles the national team that will participate in the VI World Baseball Classic. The … Continue reading ““I Was a Traitor and Now They Want Us To Go Play,” Aroldis Chapman Refuses To Join the Cuban Team”

Aroldis, the Cayo Mambi Missile / Iván García

When he played Cuban baseball, Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz was called “the Cayo Mambi missile,” after the town in Holguin where he was born on February 28, 1988. Now, in the United States, they call him, “the new king of speed.” The left-hander recently made major league history, throwing a fastball at 105 miles … Continue reading “Aroldis, the Cayo Mambi Missile / Iván García”

What Does Cuba Need to Shine Again in the World Baseball Classic?

The privatization of sports on the Island, with the injection of capital that would entail, seems to be the only solution. 14ymedio, Matanzas, March 15, 2026 – Cuba’s baseball team recorded its worst performance in World Baseball Classic history by failing to advance past the group stage in the 2026 edition. The team managed by … Continue reading “What Does Cuba Need to Shine Again in the World Baseball Classic?”

Andy Pagés, the Youngest Cuban in History To Win Two World Series

At just 24 years old, the outfielder was decisive in the last championship of the Los Angeles Dodgers. 14ymedio/SwingCompleto, Havana, 3 November 2025 — Cuban baseball player Andy Pagés is now the youngest player from the island in history to win two World Series titles in Major League Baseball (MLB). The outfielder from Pinar del … Continue reading “Andy Pagés, the Youngest Cuban in History To Win Two World Series”

Cuban Roel Santos Dreams of Seeing the Island Play With Its MLB Stars

“It’s a topic that has caused a lot of controversy,” the Granma native acknowledges. 14ymedio/SwingCompleto, Havana, Ocotber 27, 2025 / Cuban baseball player Roel Santos, who has represented Team Cuba in various international tournaments, called for Major League Baseball players to be part of the team’s roster for the VI World Baseball Classic – if … Continue reading “Cuban Roel Santos Dreams of Seeing the Island Play With Its MLB Stars”

With a Lack of Players for the Classic, Cuba Is Debating Inviting Those Who ‘Defected’

Eight months before the event, only Yoan Moncada, Andy Ibáñez, Andy Pagés and Daysbel Hernández have confirmed their participation. 14ymedio/Swing Completo, Havana, 9 July 2025 — The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) is debating changes to Article 1.6 of the National Series regulations to include players who defected or abandoned contracts with Team Cuba in the … Continue reading “With a Lack of Players for the Classic, Cuba Is Debating Inviting Those Who ‘Defected’”

Cuba Is Willing To Call for Exiled Players if They Do Not Speak Ill of the Government

“They don’t care about principles, what matters is winning,” a source close to the FCB tells ‘Swing Completo’ 14ymedio/Swing Completo, Havana, June 9, 2025 — Players who “do not have a political stance against the government” could be “eligible” for the Cuban national team to participate in the 2026 World Classic. According to a source … Continue reading “Cuba Is Willing To Call for Exiled Players if They Do Not Speak Ill of the Government”

Baseball in Our Country, a Symbol of Cuba’s National Identity

14ymedio, 14 April 2025 — Since its introduction to the Island in 1864 by students returning to Cuba from the United States, baseball has woven its history into our culture. The first official recorded game was played in 1874 at the Palmar de Junco Stadium, in Matanzas, considered the oldest still active baseball field in … Continue reading “Baseball in Our Country, a Symbol of Cuba’s National Identity”

Colombia Counts on Cuba’s Vote in Its Attempt To Regain the Venue for the Pan American Games

14ymedio, Havana, 13 January 2023 — The participation of the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (Fepcube) in the Intercontinental Professional Baseball Series is subject to “not singing the National Anthem or using the flag” of Cuba, nor the name “Fepcube Patria y Vida” during the event that is scheduled from January 26 to February 1 at … Continue reading “Colombia Counts on Cuba’s Vote in Its Attempt To Regain the Venue for the Pan American Games”

‘Patria y Vida’ — Homeland and Life — Will Be the Motto of the Cuban Team That Will Be Formed by Exiled Baseball Players

14ymedio, Havana, December 6, 2023 — “Patria y Vida” [Homeland and Life], the freedom motto that became the anthem of the 11 July 2021 ’11J’ protests inside and outside the Island, has been taken up by the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (Fepcube) to identify the team of exiled baseball players that will participate in the … Continue reading “‘Patria y Vida’ — Homeland and Life — Will Be the Motto of the Cuban Team That Will Be Formed by Exiled Baseball Players”

One Single History / Fernando Damaso

Fernando Dámaso, 14 January 2019: Cuba’s history runs from 1492 to the present day, and men and women have contributed to it, for good or ill, throughout this period. Because of that, I have never understood why they talk and write about science, art and sport, to name but three examples, as being pre-January 1st … Continue reading “One Single History / Fernando Damaso”

Victor Mesa’s Sons Leave Cuba for the Big Leagues

14ymedio, 12 May 2018 — The sons of Victor Mesa — coach of the Industriales team and among the most recognized Cuban baseball players of all time — escaped from Cuba to pursue careers as professionals in the United States. An article published on the sports website MLB.com reports that Víctor Víctor Mesa and Víctor Mesa Jr. left … Continue reading “Victor Mesa’s Sons Leave Cuba for the Big Leagues”

Not Everything About a Cuban Athlete is Worthwhile / Ivan Garcia

There have been so many escapes by Cuban baseball players and boxers that they have stopped being news. The stories behind some of these defections could make a Hollywood script. From the late-90’s land and sea odyssey of Havana pitcher Orlando “Duque” Hernandez, who signed with the New York Yankees, to the unusual escape of the fabulous shortstop Rey … Continue reading “Not Everything About a Cuban Athlete is Worthwhile / Ivan Garcia”

United States: Famous People with Cuban Roots / Ivan Garcia

Alberto Salazar, who was one of the most distinguish runners in the United States, today is a highly paid trainer in long distance running around the world. The best informed on the island know that Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s Executive Director and owner of the Washington Post Newspaper, had a stepfather born in Santiago de Cuba. … Continue reading “United States: Famous People with Cuban Roots / Ivan Garcia”