Cuba Wbc Roster

[Cubano100%]

Catchers:

Ariel Pestano (VCL),
Eriel Sánchez (SSP),
Yulexis La Rosa (VCL),
Vladimir García (IJU)
Roger Machado (CAV).

Infielders:

Joan Carlos Pedroso (LTU),
Danny Miranda (CAV),
Loidel Chapelli (CMG),
Ariel Borrero (VCL),
Leslie Anderson (CMG),
Yorelvis Charles (CAV),
Rudy Reyes (CHA),
Héctor Olivera (SCU),
Michel Enríquez (IJU),
Yulieski Gourriel (SSP),
Amaury Suárez (LTU),
Vismay Santos (GTM),
Eduardo Paret (VCL),
Yorbis Borroto (CAV),
Juan Carlos Moreno (IJU),
Luís Miguel Navas (SCU)

Outfielders

Carlos Tabares (IND),
Osmani Urrutia (LTU),
Frederich Cepeda (SSP),
Juan Carlos Linares (LHA),
Yoandry Urgelles (IND),
Alexei Ramírez (PRI),
Yoennis Céspedes (GRA),
Yoandy Garlobo (MTZ),
Andy Zamora (VCL),
Alfredo Despaigne (GRA),
Dayan Viciedo (VCL),
Reutilio Hurtado (SCU),
Serguei Pérez (IND)

Pitchers:

Danny Betancourt (SCU),
Alberto Bisset (SCU),
Pedro Luís Lazo (PRI),
Yuneski Maya (PRI),
Dennis Suárez (IND),
Yadel Martí (IND),
Yosvany Fonseca (MTZ),
Jonder Martínez (LHA),
Yulieski González (LHA),
José Ángel García (LHA),
Vicyohandry Odelín (CMG),
Yadier Pedroso (LHA),
Luís Borroto (VCL),
Norberto González (CFG),
Adiel Palma (CFG),
Robelio Carrillo (VCL),
Valeri García (CAV),
Alien Mora (CAV),
Ormari Romero (SCU),
Luís Miguel Rodríguez (HOL),
Ubisney Bermúdez (LTU),
Alberto Soto (GRA),
Israel Soto (IJU),
Maikel Folch (CAV),
Vladimir Baños (PRI),
Yosvany Pérez (CFG).

Managers: Benito Camacho or Higinio Vélez
Coaches: Javier Méndez, Juan Castro, Alexander Ramos, Rey Vicente Anglada and Víctor Mesa.

The Cuban National Series will stop on February 12th until March 24th.

Cuban Baseball officials are trying to schedule exhibition games with other teams but Puerto Rico already declined to go to Cuba.

[Cubano100%]

How about LHP Maicel Diaz and RHP Frank Motieth from the Industriales Lions?

Diaz is 5 and 0 with 2.64 ERA. Hitters only have a 217 batting average of him.

Montieth is 4 and 0 with 2.91 ERA. Hitters have a 254 batting average of him.


Why are not they on the roster?????????????? :grouchy

[Agente Libre]

... but Ubisney Bermudez (ERA in high 4.00s) and some others are on the roster.

Some very weird choices.

[2007wschamps]

I have to admit that I was totally psyched when I found out that Cuba was allowed to play in the WBC. I felt that the original decision to ban them from the tournament was absolutely ridiculous.

[Dutch Girl]

Hi Cubano,

How did you find out about this roster? The WBC site doesnot mention this (surprisingly enough!)....

Thanks for posting this...

kind regards, Dutch girl;)

[Agente Libre]

It's all over the Cuban media. Go to Google and search news for the following keywords:

Cuba baseball wbc

You should get at least 10 links.

[Kiefer]

Hi guys and gals. :)

I came from Cuba 2 years ago, so my English isn't perfect but I will try my best. I'm 20 years old and I love Baseball. My favorite team is the Cleveland Indians.

I wonder why Vera and Merino didn't make the team. When I left Cuba, Vera was one of the best pitchers and Merino made the All-Star team this season.

Greetings.

[Andruw]

MLB: Too soon to confirm Cuba roster

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060131&content_id=1304512&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[cuban_aficionado]

Hi guys and gals. :)

I came from Cuba 2 years ago, so my English isn't perfect but I will try my best. I'm 20 years old and I love Baseball. My favorite team is the Cleveland Indians.

I wonder why Vera and Merino didn't make the team. When I left Cuba, Vera was one of the best pitchers and Merino made the All-Star team this season.

Greetings.

Hello Everyone:

I hear Vera is injured right now and that is why he is not on the Cuban National Team roster.

[cuban_aficionado]

How about LHP Maicel Diaz and RHP Frank Motieth from the Industriales Lions?

Diaz is 5 and 0 with 2.64 ERA. Hitters only have a 217 batting average of him.

Montieth is 4 and 0 with 2.91 ERA. Hitters have a 254 batting average of him.


Why are not they on the roster?????????????? :grouchy

I think the Cuban Baseball authorities are not willing to include any players that are not seen with "good eyes" per the government. If they have the slightes doubth these players will defect then none of them will be included on the team roster; even though they may be the best players to represent the country. :mad:

It is sad already that Cuban born players are not allowed to compete for they country, just because they escape to freedom does not mean they are less Cuban than the Cuban players that haven't been able to escape yet from the communist regime.

[Kiefer]

I think the Cuban Baseball authorities are not willing to include any players that are not seen with "good eyes" per the government. If they have the slightes doubth these players will defect then none of them will be included on the team roster; even though they may be the best players to represent the country. :mad:

It is sad already that Cuban born players are not allowed to compete for they country, just because they escape to freedom does not mean they are less Cuban than the Cuban players that haven't been able to escape yet from the communist regime.

Yeah, I agree with you.

Down with Fidel!:evil

[WALTERJOHNSON]

Hi, Cubano100%.

I am very interested in Amateur baseball international competition history..
I succeed in reconstructuring full charts of cuba vs s.korea. cuba vs taiwan.
and almost all of Cuba vs Japan..(1972-2005)
But I CANNOT DO THAT OF CUBA VS USA..(1951-2005)

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT. please post it...
I really eager to know.

www.baseball.ch is really a treasure box. but, it has just ranking informantion
of IBAF INTERNATIONAL CUP, IBAF AAA CHAMPIONSHIP.. That's disappointing!

[cuban_aficionado]

According to the following article by Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com, Cuba would like to return to the Caribbean Baseball Series:


WBC is first step for Cuba By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com


MARACAY, Venezuela -- Cuba's participation in the World Baseball Classic in March could open the door for the island to future Caribbean Series.

The commissioner of Caribbean baseball, Juan Francisco Puello Herrera of the Dominican Republic, told ESPNdeportes.com that Cuban authorities have shown interest in returning to the "Latin American World Series," and that a request to come back would be taken seriously.

"Now that Cuba has decided to play in an event where professionals are involved [the WBC], we see the possibility of their returning to the Caribbean Series," said Puello Herrera.

In the first era of Caribbean Series play (1949-1960), Cuba won seven of the 12 round-robin tournaments. Venezuela, Panama and Puerto Rico were the other participants.

But with the regime of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who outlawed professional sports in the country, Cuba withdrew from the event and the tournament was not played for nine years.

The Caribbean Confederation was able to put the Caribbean Series back together in 1970, with a new lineup of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Then, in 1971 Mexico was added to round out the four-team competition.

Puello Herrera said that if Cuba shows interest in playing in the Caribbean Series, the Confederation might have to include still another team, in order to maintain an even number of participants.

"We'd have to add one more besides Cuba. We'd either have to admit another country, or let the runner-up in the host country's local league play."

But it's not that simple. "The inclusion of Cuba in the Caribbean Series would also depend on the Treasury Department of the United States, since Puerto Rico is a member of the Caribbean Confederation and hosts the tournament every four years [in U.S. territory]," said Puello Herrera.

Cuba had to get the OK from the Treasury Department to play in the World Classic, which will take place March 3-20 in the United States, Japan and Puerto Rico. More than 200 major leaguers are expected to participate among the 16 national teams.

In the first round, Cuba will play in Puerto Rico as part of Group C, which will include Panama, Holland and the host team.

[cuban_aficionado]

With this posting All I am doing is trying to predict which players will make the final 30 Men Roster, I ask from others in this forum to do the same so we can compare and contrast our 30 Men Pick.

Catchers (3 Players) : Ariel Pestano (VCL), , Eriel Sánchez (SSP), and
Roger Machado (CAV).

Infielders (8 Players):

Danny Miranda (CAV), Yulieski Gourriel (SSP), Eduardo Paret (VCL), Michel Enríquez (IJU), Yorelvis Charles (CAV), Amaury Suárez (LTU), Ariel Borrero (VCL) and Leslie Anderson (CMG)

Outfielders (6 Players):

Yoandy Garlobo (MTZ), Osmani Urrutia (LTU), Carlos Tabares (IND), Yoandry Urgelles (IND), Dayan Viciedo (VCL) and Yoennis Céspedes (GRA).

Pitchers (13 Players):

1-Pedro Luís Lazo (PRI)
2-Luís Borroto (VCL)
3-Norberto González (CFG)
4-Adiel Palma (CFG)
5-Danny Betancourt (SCU)
6-Vicyohandry Odelín (CMG)
7-Jonder Martínez (LHA)
8-Maikel Folch (CAV)
9-Vladimir Baños (PRI)
10- Yosvany Pérez (CFG)
11-Yadier Pedroso (LHA)
12-Yadel Martí (IND)
13- Dennis Suárez (IND)


What do you guys think? :gt

[Cubano100%]

With this posting All I am doing is trying to predict which players will make the final 30 Men Roster, I ask from others in this forum to do the same so we can compare and contrast our 30 Men Pick.

Catchers (3 Players) : Ariel Pestano (VCL), , Eriel Sánchez (SSP), and
Roger Machado (CAV).

Infielders (8 Players):

Danny Miranda (CAV), Yulieski Gourriel (SSP), Eduardo Paret (VCL), Michel Enríquez (IJU), Yorelvis Charles (CAV), Amaury Suárez (LTU), Ariel Borrero (VCL) and Leslie Anderson (CMG)

Outfielders (6 Players):

Yoandy Garlobo (MTZ), Osmani Urrutia (LTU), Carlos Tabares (IND), Yoandry Urgelles (IND), Dayan Viciedo (VCL) and Yoennis Céspedes (GRA).

Pitchers (13 Players):

1-Pedro Luís Lazo (PRI)
2-Luís Borroto (VCL)
3-Norberto González (CFG)
4-Adiel Palma (CFG)
5-Danny Betancourt (SCU)
6-Vicyohandry Odelín (CMG)
7-Jonder Martínez (LHA)
8-Maikel Folch (CAV)
9-Vladimir Baños (PRI)
10- Yosvany Pérez (CFG)
11-Yadier Pedroso (LHA)
12-Yadel Martí (IND)
13- Dennis Suárez (IND)



What do you guys think? :gt


Our pitching will determine how far we go. I think we have balance in our pitching staff. Is Folch lefty or righty?

I am not so sure about your position players. Do you think that Juan Pedroso won't make it?

[Agente Libre]

Folch is a lefty.

I'd be very surprised if they allow Viciedo and Cespedes to travel since they are so young. I'd also expect more older pitchers to travel instead of younger guys like Folch and Banos.

[cuban_aficionado]

It can go either way with these two because even though Pedroso has more RBI, with 44 , in less AB with 155, Anderson has less strike outs 29, with 204 AB. I am aware that in 50 chances AB, Pedroso may K.O. Anderson numbers, so like I said it can go either way.


It will depend in how good they play in the prep-games.


NOMBRE EQUIPO VB C H 2B 3B HR CI BB SO AVE

PEDROSO, JOAN C LTU 155 37 53 9 1 12 44 12 32 .342

ANDERSON, LESLIE CMG 204 35 68 11 1 10 37 27 29 .333

[Cubano100%]

Folch is a lefty.

I'd be very surprised if they allow Viciedo and Cespedes to travel since they are so young. I'd also expect more older pitchers to travel instead of younger guys like Folch and Banos.

I think Viciedo is too young but Cespedes may be allowed to come. He is 20 and would draw so much interest from the teams that always sign Cubans.
He is a super prospect. He is having a dream season at 20. Man! Have you seen his current numbers?

[Cubano100%]

It can go either way with these two because even though Pedroso has more RBI, with 44 , in less AB with 155, Anderson has less strike outs 29, with 204 AB. I am aware that in 50 chances AB, Pedroso may K.O. Anderson numbers, so like I said it can go either way.


It will depend in how good they play in the prep-games.


NOMBRE EQUIPO VB C H 2B 3B HR CI BB SO AVE

PEDROSO, JOAN C LTU 155 37 53 9 1 12 44 12 32 .342

ANDERSON, LESLIE CMG 204 35 68 11 1 10 37 27 29 .333


Hey, I take Anderson over Predoso. I hope the Cuban team is based on speed and players that can put the ball in play as oppose as power hitters. I also hope they take the best pitchers available despite age. I take my chances with this type of team any day. Get a left handed lead off hitter and put Paret second.
Puerto Rico somehow arrange the schedule in their favor. Last time I checked, this is the only group that do not have 2 games in the first day. Is this done so Javier Vazquez can pitch the opening day and the final game against Cuba?

So Cuba should have some lefty hitters against PR. Maybe LHP Collazos pitches against Cuba but I will be surprise.

[Kiefer]

He is having a dream season at 20. Man! Have you seen his current numbers?

I would like to see his numbers.

Thanks in advance.

[Cubano100%]

Why isn't GIORVIS DUVERGEL of the GUATANAMO Indians in the roster?


:grouchy

[Cubano100%]

I would like to see his numbers.

Thanks in advance.

NOMBRE
CB VB C H AVE 2B 3B HR TB SLU BR CR CI SH SF DB BB SO BD CPA CIPA VIEV JJ INN E TL AVE DP PB BR CR POS

CESPEDES M,, YOHENIS
259 221 66 85 .385 18 2 15 152 .688 5 2 52 0 1 9 28 27 12 84 28 14 58 496.2 7 140 .950 1 0 0 0 CF

[Kiefer]

I found this forum (http://www.vanguardia.co.cu/foros/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=765688f077e6ee86af1f86a4c3d4aca2)(Spanish), in which the communists are saying bad things about Contreras, Livan, Baez, etc. They said these players aren't real Cubans because they left Cuba. I'm thinking about joining the forum to attack those stupid communists.

I hate communists.:mad: :evil

[Shoeless]

Hey Cubanos (o Cubanas)...what's with the fad for Slavic-sounding first names? On the 60-man list there are two Vladimirs, a Serguei, an Alexei and a Valeri. Sure this isn't the Cuban hockey team?!


By the way, Kiefer...you're English IS perfect. Something's fishy here...

[Kiefer]

Hey Cubanos (o Cubanas)...what's with the fad for Slavic-sounding first names? On the 60-man list there are two Vladimirs, a Serguei, an Alexei and a Valeri. Sure this isn't the Cuban hockey team?!

By the way, Kiefer...you're English IS perfect. Something's fishy here...

That's the Russian(USSR) influence that still exists in Cuba.

Thanks, but I need a bit more practice to consider myself fluent.

[siromaniyon]

:atthepc
I'm glad to see every Baseball Freak!
I'm Japanese and grieving my poor English ability!:hp


I think that relief-picher aren't respected in Cuba compared with Japan of USA.?

Cuba think Jonder Martinez >> Jose Angel Garcia
but in Japnese baseball feeling,We think Garcia should be a member of Athene-Olympic than Jonder.

[Cubano100%]

I found this forum (http://www.vanguardia.co.cu/foros/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=765688f077e6ee86af1f86a4c3d4aca2)(Spanish), in which the communists are saying bad things about Contreras, Livan, Baez, etc. They said these players aren't real Cubans because they left Cuba. I'm thinking about joining the forum to attack those stupid communists.

I hate communists.:mad: :evil


There is no way you will be allowed to join that forum. The only comments posted are those that the moderator dim proper.

Do not buy that comment from the guy who is suppose to be in Lexington,Kentucky, USA.

My advised to you: never give your real name in any forums. Spies are everywhere and if you need to visit your family back home, you may have a tough time with the RED machine.

We all know that the end is soon and one of this days you will see on TV that the Snake is dead.

Cubans root for El Duke, Contreras, Morales and other Cuban players in the states despite what the Cuban government says.

[Kiefer]

You are right, spies are everywhere and I will visit my family next year.

Thanks for the advice.:)

[Kiefer]

Cuba inicia preparación el día 15. (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060208&content_id=1308542&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

[Cubano100%]

http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/sports/13833701.htm
http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/sports/13834041.htm
http://www.granma.co.cu/2006/02/10/deportes/artic02.html

[Cubano100%]

Alberto Soto (GRA) and Israel Soto (IJU) are both 18 years old. I read once that Israel Soto throws 97 MPH. The Cuban Gun records 3 o 5 MPH less than the Gun used in America.

[jon7jmets]

Wonder will any Cuban players Defect when they hit U.S soil:noidea

[Kiefer]

The Cuban Gun records 3 o 5 MPH less than the Gun used in America.

Are you sure?

I saw Contreras throwing 97MPH in Cuba and here he throws 94MPH.:confused:

[Cubano100%]

Are you sure?

I saw Contreras throwing 97MPH in Cuba and here he throws 94MPH.:confused:

Everytime he overthrows is when he gets rocked.

[Cubano100%]

World Baseball Classic: Scouting The Cubans
By Matt Meyers
February 2, 2006

As the World Baseball Classic approaches and Cuba's presence appears more and more assured, the mystery surrounding its team diminishes. Though fans of international baseball will be familiar with many of the players, Cuba's provisional roster, revealed Tuesday, is geared towards youth, with the average age of the 60 names being 24.

Much of this youth is concentrated in pitching, where 24-year-olds Dany Betancourt and Yunesky Maya provide the team with two of its most promising young arms. Maya is a power righthander who operates in the low 90s but can touch 96 mph with his fastball. At the World Cup in September, he had a 1.23 ERA in seven innings while Betancourt had a 1.84 ERA in 15 innings. Betancourt rose to prominence on the international stage when he closed out the gold-medal game at the 2004 Olympics in Athens against Australia.

Betancourt will most likely not be doing the closing for Cuba at the WBC, as that role will fall to veteran Pedro Luis Lazo. Though he is a starter in Cuba's Serie Nacional, Lazo has long been Cuba's primary closer and is probably most equipped to step in and contend with a major league lineup late in a game. At the World Cup, he posted a 0.54 ERA in 17 innings with a 27-1 strikeout-walk ratio. Armed with a mid-90s fastball, the righthander attacks the strike zone and is very efficient with his pitches. As a result, it would not be a surprise to see him pitch in every game, as long as he does not surpass any of the pitch count regulations.

Beyond Lazo closing, it is unclear how Cuba will use most of its remaining pitchers, as they are all adept at starting or relieving. Adiel Palma, 35, is a lefthander in the Al Leiter mold. Relying more on movement and location than velocity, Palma has been known to throw a lot of pitches and is a very slow worker. Lefty Yulieski Gonzalez appeared in three games at the World Cup and was 3-0, 1.62, while righthander Ormari Romero threw eight shutout innings.

One intriguing name on the roster is righthander Vicyohandri Odelin, a staple of Cuba’s national teams from 2001-2003 but who failed to make the Olympic ’04 roster or the ’05 World Cup team. He is back in the mix, however, after a strong season in Serie Nacional.

The most notable exception on the roster is righthander Norge Vera, who started an exhibition game Cuba played against the Orioles in 1999. In the 2003 World Cup in Havana, he got the victory in the semifinals in a 6-3 victory over Taiwan and came out of relief the next day to get the win as Cuba defeated Panama 4-2 to win gold. The 34-year-old, second to Orlando Hernandez in career winning percentage in Serie Nacional, has been hampered by arm problems, which likely led to him being left off of the provisional roster.

The youth of the team is apparent on the offensive side, with 21-year-old Yuliesky Gourriel and 26-year-old Michel Enriquez leading the way. This tandem terrorized the opposition at the World Cup, as Gourriel hit .319-8-19 in 47 at-bats while Enriquez hit .500-1-20 in 46 at-bats. Tall and wiry, Gourriel is a third baseman with lighting quick wrists and boasts the best power on the team. Enriquez, typically the DH, is their most consistent hitter who rarely strikes out and sprays line drives across the field. Another key hitter is outfielder Osmani Urrutia, who has won five straight batting titles in Serie Nacional.

The most intriguing youngster is 16-year-old Dayan Viciedo, MVP of the World Junior Championships last fall. In Serie Nacional, the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder made the all-star team while playing for Villa Clara. While Viciedo is far from a lock to make the team, his appearance on the provisional roster stamps him as one of Cuba’s brightest young talents. The Villa Clara manager, former national team star Victor Mesa, told Cuba’s Granma news that Viciedo has “as good arm and tremendous power. He’s got excellent technique, but at the same time is surprisingly calm for his young age and very secure in defense.”

Cuba's offense also includes a couple of veterans who will be key contributors in 33-year-old shortstop Eduardo Paret, who reached base 19 times in 26 plate appearance in September's World Cup before getting hurt and missing the rest of the tournament, and 30-year-old Eriel Sanchez, a catcher/first baseman who rivals Gourriel for best power on the team.

Cuba will shut down its top league, Serie Nacional, from Feb. 12-March 24, a sign of the importance it has placed on the World Baseball Classic. Once the season shuts down, the 60 players on the provisional roster will be invited to a camp where they will vie for the 30 spots on the roster that will play in the Classic. To help prepare, Cuba has invited the teams from Puerto Rico, Panama and Venezuela to come to Cuba in late February for a small exhibition tournament. Because Cuba does not have much in the way of international scouting, this will provide them with a chance to size up the competition.

None of these countries, however, has yet to accept the invitation.



Cuba’s Provisional World Baseball Classic Roster:

Catchers: Ariel Pestano; Eriel Sánchez; Yulexis La Rosa; Vladimir García; Roger Machado.

Infield; Joan Pedroso; Danny Miranda; Loidel Chapellí; Ariel Borrero; Leslie Anderson; Yorelvis Charles; Rudy Reyes; Héctor Olivera; Michel Enríquez; Yulieski Gourriel; Amaury Suárez; Vismay Santos; Eduardo Paret; Yorbis Borroto; Juan Carlos Moreno; Luis Miguel Navas.

Outfield: Carlos Tabares; Osmani Urrutia; Frederich Cepeda; Juan Carlos Linares; Yoandry Urgellés; Alexei Ramírez; Yoennis Céspedes; Yoandy Garlobo; Andy Zamora; Alfredo Despaigne; Dayán Viciedo; Reutilio Hurtado; Serguei Pérez

Pitchers: Danny Betancourt; Alberto Bicet; Pedro Luis Lazo; Yunesky Maya; Deinys Suárez; Yadel Martí; Yosvani Fonseca; Jonder Martínez; Yulieski González; José Ángel García; Vicyohandri Odelín; Yadier Pedroso; Luis Borroto; Norberto González; Adiel Palma; Robelio Carrillo; Valeri García; Alien Mora; Ormari Romero; Luis M. Rodríguez; Ubisney Bermúdez; Alberto Soto; Israel Soto; Maikel Folch; Vladimir Baños; Yosvani Pérez.







http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/060202cuba.html

[Cuba_fan]

Thank you for the information..i´m happy :) :dance :gt

[Cubano100%]

Fresh faces to anchor Cuban squad
Roster turnover leaves country's WBC fate in young hands
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, 21, will be one of Cuba's primary power sources. (Eric Gay/AP)
MLB Headlines

After the sun sets on Sunday's games, Cuba will pull the plug on Serie Nacional, its top baseball league. More pressing things are on the players' agendas: It's World Baseball Classic time. The league will go on hiatus until March 24, allowing the WBC to play through.
Cuba not only is accommodating a six-week hole in its showcase league, the Caribbean island nation is eager for it to happen. Its international baseball reputation is legendary, but has rarely been displayed in a big bowl; the NCAA would call it an RPI issue.

For Cuba, the WBC is an opportunity to put some evidence into the myth.

Ironically, it will be trying to do so with some fresh muscle. The talent lode that forged Cuba's global powerhouse image in the '90s has dissolved into retirement, and handed off to a new generation.

Cuba's 60-man provisional WBC roster reflects, in the view of experts on the subject, an almost unprecedented turnover for its national team. Even though the eventual 30-man squad is expected to have its share of veterans, it will feature plenty of new members of the nation's A-list.

"It will be a very young team, probably the youngest they've ever had," notes Peter Bjarkman, the prolific author for whom Cuban baseball has evolved into a personal passion. "There was a big void after the 2000 Sydney Olympics -- the whole crew of '90s mainstays were retiring at the same time."

That, and the loss to Ben Sheets and the United States in the 2000 gold-medal game triggered a housecleaning of Cuba's roster and a shift in the philosophy of how national teams are chosen. Now the numbers on the field are valued more than numbers in the books; it's performance over reputation.

"And," Bjarkman adds, "they filled the void very quickly."

Even future voids are already being worked on, such as the case with third baseman Dayan Viciedo. Last month, at 16, Viciendo became the youngest player in history to appear in Cuba's version of the All-Star Game. Viciedo's appearance on Cuba's 60-man WBC roster raised a lot of eyebrows, but both All-Star squads were automatically included on that provisional roster, and the whiz kid isn't expected to stick.

Viciedo may have to make way for his elders -- some of whom are even pushing 25. Players on the 60-man average 24 years of age.

But some of the new studs are much younger. In fact, the new cream of Cuba's crop may be Yulieski Gourriel, the 21-year-old third baseman who hits with power and rarely strikes out.

In the view of scouts who have seen Gourriel on the big stage, such as the 2004 Athens Olympics, he could step right now into the lineup of many big-league clubs. Gourriel had 16 homers and 55 RBIs through the first 50 games of the current Cuban season.

"I think he is their best all-around player," Bjarkman says of Gourriel, who smoked eight homers to drive in 19 runs over 11 games during last September's World Cup. "He's come out of nowhere."

As have a lot of the team's new cornerstones. "It's normal to cycle them in," Bjarkman says, "but the thing that surprises me about this generation of players is how much good, young talent has come so quickly."

Outfielder Yoennis Cespedes, 20, is in the midst of a breakout season, batting .385 with 15 home runs. Smooth middle infielders Joan Pedroso and Leslie Anderson, both in their early 20s, may need new first names by U.S. standards but don't lack anything in their games; heading into the final weekend of pre-WBC break play, Pedroso was hitting .342 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs and Anderson's .333 average included 22 extra-base hits.

Of course, the last words in Cuban offense are Michel Enriquez and Osmani Urrutia.

Enriquez, who turned 27 on Saturday, is in line to pull the Sammy Sosa of batting races: He could wind up hitting .450 and not win the batting title -- thanks to Urrutia. The 29-year-old outfielder is hitting .453 in his bid for a sixth straight batting title and fifth consecutive .400-plus season.

"Enriquez is the best hitter Cuba has right now," Bjarkman opines. "He's just having a tremendously hot season."

The turnover may be even more pronounced on the mound -- the signature of great Cuban teams. Check the chronology of their most significant international triumphs, and you will never find them outslugging the opposition.

With the notable occasional exception of someone like closer Pedro Luis Lazo -- a 32-year-old towering fireballer who is a late rally's worst nightmare -- the staff is young enough for 24-year-olds like Dany Betancourt and Yunesky Maya to rate as veterans.

Especially when you've got 18-year-olds like Alberto and Israel Soto, the latter said to routinely hit the mid-90s on the radar.

The staff will also potentially include a few graybeards of international competition, such as 35-year-old left-hander Adiel Palma and 38-year-old Ormari Romero. Cuba still values experience among pitchers who can be shuttled into tight games with ice coursing their veins.

That has been their time-tested success formula, and one that renders the pitch limits set to be enforced for WBC games practically irrelevant.

"The last couple of years," Bjarkman says, "their trend has been to go with two or three guys before they get to the closer. They have so many pitchers who are about even, they can always go to a fresh arm."

If that is an advantage, this is a bigger one: Unlike the players for the highly talented Japan and U.S. squads, who will be competing during a period usually spent in preseason camps, the Cubans will be in their midseason forms.

And this: Having developed through various international tournaments, from Juniors on up, the Cubans are accustomed to one-and-done pressure.

"They're used to lose-and-you're out tournaments, so they don't beat themselves," Bjarkman points out. "In a close game, they will be very tough to beat.

"They're so good defensively, with a very quick infield, and have enough hitting that if they get to the closer (Lazo) with a one- or two-run lead, or in a tie, they will be tough to beat."

Especially with a steeped heritage at stake. A new generation has inherited that reputation -- and the responsibility to defend it.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060211&content_id=1310137&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb


:gt

[Cubano100%]

Youth no obstacle for Cuba's Viciedo
Hard-hitting 16-year-old on 60-man provisional WBC roster
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

MLB Headlines


Playing for Villa Clara in Serie Nacional, the league at the top of the Cuban baseball chain, at first spooked Dayan Viciedo.
But then he turned 16, and everything was all right.

A big leaguer, even if only by Cuban standards, at 15? What in the name of precocious talent is going on here?

Something extraordinary, obviously. Viciedo has been included on Cuba's 60-man provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic, making him a marked man even if he doesn't make it to next month's tournament.

Make that, marked adolescent.

Viciedo popped up on the 60-man squad a couple of weeks after becoming the youngest player to appear in his country's All-Star Game, an honor he earned, in turn, with his brilliant play in right field for Villa Clara.

Without missing a beat, he has since kept up his blistering pace. Viciedo began last week among the league's leaders with a hard .368 average and .593 slugging percentage.

That's a quantum leap from only a year ago, when he became a celebrity for cracking Villa Clara's lineup at 15, but was batting .243 with little pop through the season's first 50 games.

Then, perhaps after glancing in the mirror, Viciedo told reporters, "It's not bad for my age."

What he's doing now isn't bad, either, for the ages.

"It is unusual for someone that young to play in the main Cuban league; they usually break in at 18," says Peter Bjarkman, a veteran watchdog of Cuban baseball who has authored books on the subject. "The top prospects play in the developmental league, their version of the Minor Leagues, and those who have enough talent move up pretty quickly.

"It's not unprecedented, but it's pretty unusual."

The precedent belongs to Omar Linares, the Cuban legend who debuted in Serie Nacional at 14 and was on the National Team at 16.

Yes, Viciedo is well aware of whose footsteps he is following. He even wears Linares' old number -- 10 -- and broke in playing his position, third base.

Viciedo told reporters last year, "I've always admired Linares, ever since I started playing when I was seven years old."

Which wasn't too long before most of us started planning for the new millennium.

Viciedo was a member of the team which beat the United States, 2-1, in the title game of the Pan American Junior Championships in Villahermosa, Mexico, last September. Needless to say, he was the only one playing in the 18-and-under tournament between "big league" seasons.

A classic diamond in the rough, the still-physically maturing Viciedo obviously excites everyone with his potential. The most intrigued observers include his current manager, Victor Mesa, who a year ago said "in two or three years, he will be a great player, but he'll have to work very hard."

"He has a good arm and tremendous power," Mesa added. "He's got excellent technique, but at the same time is surprisingly calm for his young age and very secure in defense. "

Mesa marvels at Viciedo's poise in the Serie Nacional fishbowl, but the teenage prodigy is accustomed to the glare. He has played on age-bracket teams in international tournaments since 11.

Although most experts do not anticipate seeing Viciedo in Puerto Rico for the WBC action, they may get a surprise. Mesa is on Cuba's coaching staff for the Classic, and he is expected to lobby hard for the inclusion of his young jewel.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060211&content_id=1310178&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[cuban_aficionado]

Do your best so you are picked to the 30 men roster.

Arrive in Puerto Rico

Win!!!!

and then you know what to do:

starts with d and ends with t.

good luck!!!!!:gt

[siromaniyon]

Yuliesky Gourriel,Is he not willing to be a secondbaseman?
In Athene Olympic,he is a secondbaseman.
But,in this season,he is a third-baseman only.

[Cubano100%]

Yuliesky Gourriel,Is he not willing to be a secondbaseman?
In Athene Olympic,he is a secondbaseman.
But,in this season,he is a third-baseman only.


He was moved to fill a void in his Cuban National League team.

[Bonus]

Does the fact that Cuba has announced a roster (it looks to be provisional, not the 30-man final roster) and that the Cuban league will be suspended during the WBC mean that it is official that Cuba is going to play? I still haven't heard an official pronouncement from His Bearded Excellency.

When do player Visas get issued? Has Cuba gotten them?

[Agente Libre]

Nothing is "final" with Cuba until they are on the field for their first WBC game.

[Kiefer]

Cuba scrambles to shine in baseball's Classic. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11352209/from/RSS/)

There is a video too, Industriales v.s Santiago de Cuba. Hope you enjoy it.

[Cubano100%]

Cuba scrambles to shine in baseball's Classic. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11352209/from/RSS/)

There is a video too, Industriales v.s Santiago de Cuba. Hope you enjoy it.


That was a good article.

[Kiefer]

Cuba ready to show game at WBC. (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/more/02/17/cuba.wbc.ap/index.html)

[cuban_aficionado]

#1 Diaz from Industrialez Lions
Catcher ariel Pestano from Caibarien, villa Clara.

[cuban_aficionado]

Sancti Spiritus' Yulieski Gourriel:
Leader in HR in the National League

[cuban_aficionado]

One of the Best Pitchers Cuban can offer..
This lefty has really good stuff....

[Cubano100%]

Osmani Urrutia, Las Tunas Magicians

The native of Jobabo, Las Tunas province has hit over .400 in 4 Serie Nacional seasons. In '04 he batted an astounding .469. Urrutia debuted with Team Cuba at World Championships in Taipai in ’01 and has represented the nation in the '03 Pan-Am Games and the '03 and '05 World Cups. He was a starter for the 2004 Olympic gold medal team. In '05 he hit .385.

[Cubano100%]

Frederich Cepeda, Santi Spiritus Roosters

Breaking through as a dominant hitter in the 2002 Serie Nacional, Cepeda is regarded as one of the country’s most promising stars. In 2003 he finished with a .347 batting average. A big and very fast left fielder, the youngster from Sancti Spiritus broke the Team Cuba line-up in ’02 with his tenacious performances. He was a dominant player in the 2003 World Cup and 2004 Olympic Games, both won by the Cubans.

[Cubano100%]

Eriel Sanchez, Santi Spiritus Roosters

A native of Fomento, Sancti Spiritus, Sanchez has been clean-up man for both his provincial team and national teams, at the ’03 and '05 World Cup and ’04 Olympics, where the Cubans took gold. He plays backstop for Sancti Spiritus and is a DH and first baseman for the national team. In the ’03 Serie Nacional, Sanchez hit a remarkable .327.

[Cubano100%]

Vicyohandry Odelin, Camaguey Ceramists

An intelligent breaking ball pitcher from Camaguey, Odelin finished third among Cuban pitchers in 2003 Serie Nacional action with an ERA of 2.38. A native of Guantanamo, he debuted with Team Cuba at the World Championship in Taipai in ’01. Considered one of Cuba’s brightest prospects, he helped Cuba win the 2003 World Cup and Olympic gold medal in Athens in '04.




Arriba los Camagueyanos y la tierra de los Tinajones!

[Cubano100%]

Michel Enriquez, Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Croppers

In ’99 Enriquez set an all-time Serie Nacional season hit record with 152. From the Isle of Youth, he become Omar Linares’ successor on third base. He debuted with Team Cuba at the ’99 Pan-Am games and 2000 Olympics. He was a starter for the 2003 and 2005 World Cup champs, the latter where he DH'ed, and for 2004 Olympic Games winners. In the '04 Serie Nacional, Enriquez hit .385.




:clapping

[Cubano100%]

Norberto Gonzalez, Cienfuegos Shrimps

A promising young left-hander from Cienfuegos, Gonzalez finished the 2003 season with an ERA of 3.75, throwing 125 strikeouts in 141 innings. Gonzalez represented Cuba at world youth and university games. He gave outstanding performances in Athens for Team Cuba, which took the Olympic gold medal.






:clapping

[Cubano100%]

Yorelvis Charles, Ciego de Avila Tigers

A powerful batter from Ciego de Avila province, Charles is one of the country’s most promising youngsters. He debuted for Team Cuba in the 2002 Intercontinental Cup. Charles doubles as a third baseman and shortstop. In 2004 the fiery competitor finished with a .355 batting average, including 14 doubles and 12 homers. He was a World Cup champ in '03 and Olympic gold medallist in '04.





:atthepc Arriba los Avilenos!

[Cubano100%]

Pedro Luis Lazo, Pinar del Rio Cigar Makers

Destined to be one of Cuba’s greats, Lazo is a charismatic fan favorite in Pinar del Rio. A member of Team Cuba squads since '95, Lazo throws in the high 90s and has a great slider. In '05 he got 13 wins - a tie for the best in the Serie Nacional.

[Cubano100%]

Veteran LHP for the Cienfuegos Shrimps that was not doing too good this season. But he is in.


Adiel Palma

In 2003 the lefthander from Cienfuegos emerged as the number one winner in the Serie Nacional with a record of 14-4 and a second place ERA of 2.21. He threw 179 strikeouts in 158 innings. In '04 he was eigth overall with a 2.66 ERA. Palma has been a member of Team Cuba 2003 Pan-Am and World Cup squad, was a 2004 Olympics standout and '05 World Cup ace.

[Dutch Girl]

Hi Cubano100%,

Do you have more information (pictures perhaps) of Juan Carlos Moreno (Isla de Juventud)?

I saw that he is part of the Cuban WBC roster..


gr. Dutch girl

[Cubano100%]

Hi Cubano100%,

Do you have more information (pictures perhaps) of Juan Carlos Moreno (Isla de Juventud)?

I saw that he is part of the Cuban WBC roster..


gr. Dutch girl


Let me see. :lookitup

[Cubano100%]

Future stars! The next, "El Duke"!

[Cubano100%]

Training session!

[Cubano100%]

[cuban_aficionado]

Eduardo Paret. Short-stop/ 2 base

Cuba Team Captain

Here shown with the Centrales Cuban Super League Uniform

[cuban_aficionado]

Lesli Anderson

Infielder from Camaguey

[cuban_aficionado]

Infielder Yorelvis Charles

Ciego de Avila

[cuban_aficionado]

Pitcher Robelio Carrillo

[cuban_aficionado]

Outfielder, Las Tunas, Osmani Urrutia

[cuban_aficionado]

Outfielder Yoandy Garlobo

[cuban_aficionado]

Infielders Maikel Enriquez

[Cubano100%]

Roger Machado, Ciego de Avila Tigers

Machado is arguably the best defensive catcher in Cuba with the best pick-off percentage in all-time Serie Nacional action. A native of Ciego de Avila province, in 2004 he finished with a .366 batting average including 24 doubles. He debuted for Team Cuba in 1999 at the Intercontinental Cup, was a 2003 World Cup winner and a 2004 Olympic gold medallist.

[Cuba_fan]

:clapping :D ;) yip...that´s Eriel ..hahaha :crazy


Eriel Sanchez, Santi Spiritus Roosters

A native of Fomento, Sancti Spiritus, Sanchez has been clean-up man for both his provincial team and national teams, at the ’03 and '05 World Cup and ’04 Olympics, where the Cubans took gold. He plays backstop for Sancti Spiritus and is a DH and first baseman for the national team. In the ’03 Serie Nacional, Sanchez hit a remarkable .327.

[Kiefer]

Hi Cubano100%,

Do you have more information (pictures perhaps) of Juan Carlos Moreno (Isla de Juventud)?

I saw that he is part of the Cuban WBC roster..


gr. Dutch girl

Juan's career stats. (http://cubahora.co.cu/index.php?tpl=principal/ver-noticias/ver-not_beisb-fich.tpl.html&newsid_obj_id=2432)

[Cubano100%]

Juan Carlos Moreno, Havana Cowboys





Danny Betancourt, Santiago de Cuba Wasps

[Cubano100%]

Deinis Suares, Industriales Lions




Reutilio Hurtado, Santiago de Cuba Wasps

He is the cousin of Cuban defector and profesional boxer Diosbelis Hurtado who was beating Pernell Whitaker easily for 10 rounds until Whitaker won it by KO. The referee had a dubious performance and Oscar de la Hoya was watching due to his next fight against Whitaker.

I do not think he has any chance to make the team.

[siromaniyon]

I think Reutilio Hurtado is inferior to other center-fielders,he will not be chosen finally bearing no relation to any defection of his cousin.
He has many ponches and low average than others (Cespedes,Tabares,Anderson)

[Kiefer]

I think Reutilio Hurtado is inferior to other center-fielders,he will not be chosen finally bearing no relation to any defection of his cousin.
He has many ponches and low average than others (Cespedes,Tabares,Anderson)

Yeah, I don't even know why they selected him. Giorvis Duvergel is better than him and more versatile.

[siromaniyon]

For example,Antonio Pacheco likes his play by some reasons? I guess.

Once Giorvis Duvergel was a member of National team in 2002 and so on?
Surely ,after that time,he failed members by his slump.
But he is good in 2004-05 and 2005-06.why is he absent from this roster?

[Kiefer]

For example,Antonio Pacheco likes his play by some reasons? I guess.

Once Giorvis Duvergel was a member of National team in 2002 and so on?
Surely ,after that time,he failed members by his slump.
But he is good in 2004-05 and 2005-06.why is he absent from this roster?

Pacheco may like him because both are from Stgo de Cuba. The same happened to Yasser Gomez, he was a member of the Cuban Team during several years but he hasn't been selected anymore.

[Kiefer]

Cuba's baseball team poses for a picture during a training session at the Latin American stadium.

[siromaniyon]

Personally speaking,I like Cuban team very much.
From the end of 80's to the middle of 90's,Japan invited Cuba-team to play games every year.
and many japanese fun think Cubans of "speed and power"

But, I think Higinio Vélez relies on strategy too much.
For example,I hope Joan C.Pedroso and Leslie Anderson are suitable for 1st-baseman clothing red-uniform.
Because we sometimes dream Cubans "speed" or "power".
But , Vélez prefer tecniqueman(D.miranda) to powerman(Pedroso)

Our dream to Cuban players would be diminished by Enriquez or Cepeda or Miranda by their Over-Weight in spite of their age.

[cuban_aficionado]

Cuba is going to play 3 exhibition games with the Nicaraguan National Team in the Latin American Stadium starting today 02/23/2006 @ 9:00 pm and continues tommorrow and Saturday at the same time. Cuba is going to use as many players as posible from the 60 men roster. The games start @ 8:00 pm Eastern time, 9:00 pm Cuba Time. Lets see how the Cuban players respond to the pitching and batting from Nicaragua.

[Cubano100%]

Pitcher Valeri Garcia, Ciego de Avila Tigers is not part of the roster due to injury.


Cuba beat Nicaragua 8x3.

[Agente Libre]

Any other details? Who pitched for Cuba?

[Cubano100%]

Cuba's offensive display downed Nicaragua 8x3 at the Latinoamericano stadium!



The Nicaraguans played well during the first 3 innnings behind starter Aristides Sevilla. But the Cuban hitters had 13 hits including a home run by Alexei Ramirez to close the victory.


Camaguey Ceramists starter RHP Vicyhondry Odelín did not do well despite having good velocity, a good sign that he is coming back from his injury. He was relieved in the third after allowing 3 runs.

Industriales Lions RHP Yadel Martí came in relief and stopped the bleading for the Cubans.

Pinar del Rio Cigar Maker Alexei Ramírez, Isla de la Juventud Michel Enríquez, and Villa Clara Orange Grower Ariel Pestano were the best Cuban hitters in the game.

Santi Spiritus Rooster Yulieski Gourriel had 2 K and 2 foul flies a sign that he was trying to impress to much.


Young RHP Yadier Pedroso from the Havana Cowboys closed the game for the Cubans.

Omar Cisceros, the Nicaraguan manager, said:

"We came to play hard, but we know the quality of Cuban baseball. Cuba is going to fight in the WBC.

Cuba line-up

1. Eduardo Paret SS
2. Michel Enriquez 3B
3. Yuliesky Gourriel 2B
4. Ariel Borrero 1B
5. Yoandry Garlobo DH
6. Frederich Cepeda LF
7. Ariel Pestano C
8. Alexei Ramirez RF
9. Carlos Tabares CF

Cuban manager Higinio Velez used Rudy Reyes as a pinch runner and Joan Carlos Pedroso replaced Ariel Borrero. Pedroso had an RBI double.

Next Game Friday 24th at 9:00 P.M. at Latinoamericano stadium.



:clapping

[cuban_aficionado]

I think if anyone in the 1st Game Nicaragua vs. Cuba insured a spot in the Cuban National Team that is Industriales Lions' Yadel Marti. Yadel Marti pitched impecable as a reliever for the Cuban Team, He came in the 3rd inning with the game 3-2 in favor of Team Nicaragua, no outs and men on base. He pitched with an averague of 11 pitches per inning and struck out 4 batters in 5 innings, he didn't allowed runs and retired 11 in a row. When he was pulled from the game after he completed the 7th inning he had a 59 pitch count.

The worse guy yesterday night for Team Cuba? Santi Spiritus Roosters Yulieski Gourriel. What happened to this guy? He is one of the power hitters in Cuba and now struck out twice and couldn't get the ball out of the infield in 4 at bats? Maybe like Cubano100% said: "he was trying too hard"

[Kiefer]

[Kiefer]

Contreras' heart with Cubans at Classic (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321376&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb). :gt

[cuban_aficionado]

This is a really great article.....
The bold parts are information that I found interesting.....
It gives an inside into Cuba's baseball program among other things....

Contreras' heart with Cubans at Classic

TUCSON, Ariz. -- White Sox starter Jose Contreras resides comfortably in the present as a millionaire, a star, a World Series champion and baseball hero here in this country.

He'll also occasionally, sometimes daily, dip into his past in another land. It's a journey to a yesteryear that saw him dominate every hitter and rise to fame on his way to becoming one of Cuba's most popular athletes. The path included poverty, several soul-searching decisions, and the eventual defection to the United States in 2002.

Contreras' past and present are coming together again and he knows it. When Cuba takes the field in the first round of the World Baseball Classic next month in Puerto Rico, Contreras' heart will be with them.

His body will be a thousand of miles away, still in White Sox camp.

"If Cuba wins, it is expected. If they lose, there will be a lot of explaining because baseball is the top sport and if you don't win, it's a problem," Contreras said. "The pressure is going to be double for Cuba. You have the government watching and you are playing against the best players in the world. This will be the best competition Cuba has ever played against."

Contreras knows of what he speaks. A seven-year veteran of Cuba's national team, Contreras compiled a 117-50 career record with a 2.82 ERA in Cuban League play. In the 1999 Pan American Games, 2000 Olympics and '01 World Cup, he went 7-0 with a 0.59 ERA and allowed only 36 hits in 66 innings pitched while striking out 66. Fidel Castro nicknamed him "The Titan of Bronze."

As a team, Cuba won the gold medal for baseball in the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2004. In 2000, the team lost in the final to the United States. Contreras said he made about $20 a month as the star of the team.

"I want Cuba to win [the World Baseball Classic]," Contreras said. "I know some people associate the worst things in the world with Cuba but I support the baseball team, the players and my friends, not the government. I would love to talk to them, but I am not allowed.

"If they see me and talk to me, they will be punished," he continued. "Imagine if I could play with the Cuban team? They don't let me. The government is mad at me and I don't want to be political. I play and they put me together with Fidel as a supporter of the government. I'm Cuban and I love my country and the people, but I can't play with them because of politics."

Unlike other Latin American countries, Cuba does not allow its players to leave the country to play professionally in the Major Leagues. For Cuban players, defection is the only way to play in the big leagues since Castro took over power in 1959. Current Cuban players are not allowed to associate with defected players.

The selection process for the Cuban national team is an in-depth process, Contreras said.

"The invited are young players who are followers of the revolution and have a clean background. If you have relatives who live in other places in the world, it will be really difficult to be taken out of Cuba on that team," Contreras said. "For example, if you have an uncle who lives in Miami, it's going to be real hard for you to leave the country. They worry that you will stay there."

Contreras grew up in the rural area of Las Martinas, outside of Havana, and was a believer in Castro's communist government. He admits to not having the best things in life, but he had his family and friends and that was enough. Baseball was not his way out of poverty. It was a way of life.

Television and free-speech newspapers were unheard of. The Internet? Nobody has the Internet. Information, all information, was limited -- which at the time was fine for Contreras.

"I lived 32 years in Cuba, eight years traveling with the team, and I came to the United States five times and I never stayed," Contreras said. "For me Cuba was the best. All I heard before was about the "Imperialist Yankee" and how bad the government is in this country, and you grow up believing Cuba is the best. Fidel is the best. The U.S. is the worst.

"Think of a horse, we in Cuba have blinders on the side of our face and do not see everything on the side. In front of us, we do not see everything because there is another wall in front of us keeping us from seeing it all."

The U.S. Government originally refused to give Cuba a license to participate in the World Baseball Classic because of financial concerns, but the issue was eventually resolved. Cuba will play Panama on March 8 in their first game of the World Classic, and Contreras expects a good showing from his country. He also expects opposing players to be surprised by the behavior of the Cuban team.

He believes the fear of the unknown off the field will be apparent.

"On the team, there are probably 10 players who work like spies. They see you doing something that is suspicious, and they go tell on you," Contreras said. "Players [from other teams] will talk on the field. I know that, but you can't talk anywhere else. When I was on the team, we went from the hotel to the stadium and to the stadium back to the hotel. People see you talking to people, you will be in trouble. I know some players are going to ask the Cubans to go eat or go get a beer. The Cuban players will be scared. They will run away because of the fear. That's how it is in Cuba."

On the field could be a different story. Michel Enriquez and Osmani Urrutia are expected to anchor the offense. Outfielder Yoennis Cespedes, along with infielders Joan Pedroso and Leslie Anderson, are also expected to star for the team. Pitchers like 35-year-old left-hander Adiel Palma and 38-year-old Ormari Romero will anchor the staff.

Recognize the names? Most don't.

"They are a little bit of a mystery because of the uncertainty of who they are going to bring," United States manager Buck Martinez said. "We hear that the roster that they have submitted has an average age of 24. That's a pretty young roster. It's kind of surprising, but everybody expects that they will have a very representative team."

"Everybody knows the quality of players from Cuba," Contreras said. "All of the championships we won -- you have to be one of the best in the whole country to be one of the 25 who are coming."

How many of the Cuban players will make an attempt at defecting? It's a question not even Contreras knows the answer to. He does not want to guess. His wife and two daughters joined him in 2004 after reaching Florida via speedboat. Contreras' family was denied permission to leave the country by the Cuban government.

"I don't criticize the players in Cuba and I don't blame them," Contreras said. "It is such a personal decision that I don't think anybody knows until you do go through it and walk by our sides.

"Some say they know Cuba or have been to Havana, stayed in the nicest hotels and walked around. That's not Cuba. Walk in our shoes. Eat what we eat and get on those crowded buses and live in the homes like we do. Try to spend money and have people not accept it because you are Cuban. I have more money than I dreamed of, but my family cannot spend it in Cuba. You come as a tourist, yes, they will take your money and show you a good time. You live there and have money, they shut doors on you.

"Don't tell me what it is like to be in Cuba or play for the team if you have not done it because you don't know."

The world will get a peek next month.

[Cubano100%]

It is a great article that sumarizes everything that goes on with the Cuban team. Has Ismael Roldan, the Puerto Rican IBAF baseball head read this article?

Probably not! He is helping Castro providing more security measures to prevent Cubans players from defecting and hanging out with the Panamanian, Dutch and Puerto Rican players? :grouchy

[Cubano100%]

Cuba beat Nicaragua 9x2 in the second game.

Yuliesky Gourriel erased his bad performance during the first game by hitting 2
home runs, a double and a single in 5 AB.:D :clapping

The Cubans had 8 of the 15 hits in the fourth scoring 6 times. RHP Luis Borroto pitched 4 innings for the Cubans.

Nicaragua only had four hits.


EFE




Yulieski Gourriel

The young third baseman from Sancti Spiritus debuted at age 17 in the 2002 Serie Nacional, where he batted .300 and was runner-up to Kendry Morales as rookie of the year. In '04 he hit .358. Son of Lourdes Gourriel, Sancti Spiritus’s manager, Yulieski first played for Team Cuba at the 2002 Intercontinental Cup. He excelled at second base for the 2003 World Cup winners and 2004 Olympic champions.

[Cubano100%]

Training Session!:gt

[Cuba_fan]

i´m counting the days...leaving on March 7th :D ...nice pictures by the way :clapping

[Cubano100%]

Joan Carlos Pedroso
In 2003 the young slugger from Las Tunas broke Lazaro Junco’s ten year-old Serie Nacional single season home run record when he swatted number 28. A solid defensive first baseman, in the ‘04 season he finished with a .345 batting average and a .600 slugging percentage. He was a standout on Cuba’s 2003 Pan-Am squad and played relief first baseman for the '03 World Cup champs.




Yadel Marti
One of the Cuba’s better finesse pitchers, Marti has a 90 mph fastball, incredible slider, and mixed bag of curves. He started his career as a reliever with the Metropolitanos and joined the Industriales in ’01. A member of Team Cuba in ‘02 and ‘03, he finished the 2003 season with a 10-2 record.

[Cubano100%]

Danny Betancourt
Betancourt catapulted into the spotlight during the Athens ’04 Olympic games when he shut down the Australian squad for the gold medal and Canada in the semi-final match. A native of Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba, he is a premiere starter for one of Cuba’s best Serie Nacional teams. In ’04 Danny was 12-4 with a 2.03 ERA. He was also an '05 World Cup winner.



Alexei Ramirez
Alexei is a second baseman and outfielder for Pinar del Rio. A well-rounded player, he led the Serie Nacional in hits during the ’03 season. An explosive hitter and base runner, Ramirez make his Olympic debut in Athens in ’04, joined Team Cuba’s winning effort later that year at the 2005 World Cup qualifier in Columbia and was a '05 World Cup gold medallist.

[Cubano100%]

Luis Borroto
From Sagua La Grande in Villa Clara province, Borroto is emerging as one of Cuba's best young strikeout pitchers. During the '04 Serie Nacional season he was 12-3 with a 1.56 ERA. He was part of Team Cuba's gold medal contingent in Athens in '04 and joined the national squad at the '05 World Cup.





Jonder Martinez
Hard throwing Jonder Martinez, from Mariel in Havana Province, is a leading pitcher for the much-improved Serie Nacional team. He was a 2004 Olympian and 2003 World Cup Team Cuba member. In '03 he was 9-3 and in '04 he finished with an ERA of 3.87.

[Cubano100%]

Danny Miranda
A native of Moron in Ciego de Avila province, the former catcher and now first baseman batted an outstanding .358 in the ’04 Serie Nacional. He went up against some tough competition to emerge as a starting first baseman on Team Cuba’s 2004 Olympic Gold medal squad.




Yoandry Urgelles
A native of Santiago de Cuba and a former outfielder with the Metropolitanos, Urgelles switched to the Havana Industriales squad for the '05 Serie Nacional season. The hard-hitting lefty was on Team Cuba's 2004 Olympics squad and played on Cuba's 2005 World Cup team.

[cuban_aficionado]

The Cuban National Team defeated Nicaragua by KO in 7 innings with final score of 13 runs to 0. Adiel Palma, Michael Folch and pitcher Vera only allowed 2 hits from the Nica Team.

[Cubano100%]

The Cuban National Team defeated Nicaragua by KO in 7 innings with final score of 13 runs to 0. Adiel Palma, Michael Folch and pitcher Vera only allowed 2 hits from the Nica Team.


Are you sure the third pitcher is Vera? He is not in the roster.

Cuba scored 7 times in the second inning to put the game away.

Matanzas Crocodiles slugger Yoandry Garlobo had a three run home run.

Cuba had 39 hits including 4 home runs during the 3 game series.



Cuban captain Eduardo Paret SS stealing third during the game.



Yoandry Garlobo

[cuban_aficionado]

The third pitcher on Cuba's Victory Saturday was Yuneski Maya (PRI), not Vera. My bad. :D

Thank you Cubano100% for picking it up!!!

[Cubano100%]

The third pitcher on Cuba's Victory Saturday was Yuneski Maya (PRI), not Vera. My bad. :D

Thank you Cubano100% for picking it up!!!


Not a problem! The 3 pitchers did very well. That is good news. Championships are won with pitching and defense!

[cuban_aficionado]

Not a problem! The 3 pitchers did very well. That is good news. Championships are won with pitching and defense!

Yes! All those doubts surrounding the Cuban Pitching status are now in the backburner because of the performance in these games versus Nicaragua. Too bad They can't play other exibition games with Dominican Republic or Venezuela. I am confident the Cuban Pitchers are going to came through in the WBC!!!! :clapping

[Cubano100%]

Yadier Pedroso
The young righthander from Guanajay, Havana Province, debuted during the 2005 Serie National and become one of Cuba's outstanding pitchers with a regular season record of 11-4 and an ERA of 2.47. He lead his team into the SN finals against Santiago de Cuba. A pitcher reminiscent of a young Livan Hernandez, Yadier finished seventh that year in innings pitched. A member of Team Cuba's 2005 World Cup champion team, Pedroso is a SN leader in '06.

:clapping :clapping


Yunieski Maya
A righthander from Pinar del Rio who debuted in the '04 season, Maya was winning pitcher at the '06 Serie Nacional All-Star game where he threw three scoreless innings. A member of Team Cuba's 2005 World Cup squad, Maya threw for an ERA of 1.23 in that event. He's a breaking ball pitcher that can throw the heat.

[Cubano100%]

Yulieski Gonzalez
The young southpaw from Havana Province's Serie Nacional team cracked Team Cuba's line-up for the 2005 World Cup where he defeated Panama in the semi-final game. For the tourney, he had a 1.62 ERA in a little more that 16 innings pitched - with victories over Brasil and Canada. During the '05 season he was 8-7 for the SN finalists.



Deinis Suarez
The younger right-hander from Havana City is emerging as one of Cuba's promising pitchers. He pitched for Team Cuba in the '05 World Cup qualifier in Colombia. During the '04 season he was 10-4 for the Industriales with a remarkable ERA of 2.13.

[Cubano100%]

What is this Kiefer? An aerobic exercise session or what!:hp

They need to stop doing aerobic exercises and start lifting weight so the can hit the 98 MPH offering from the Dominican, Venezuelan and USA pitchers if we advance to the semis and finals.:confused:

[Kiefer]

What is this Kiefer? An aerobic exercise session or what!:hp

They need to stop doing aerobic exercises and start lifting weight so the can hit the 98 MPH offering from the Dominican, Venezuelan and USA pitchers if we advance to the semis and finals.:confused:





Yeah, aerobic exercises.:laugh

:noidea
:gt

[Cubano100%]

Yeah, aerobic exercises.:laugh

:noidea
:gt


The links don't work.

[Cubano100%]

Yoenis Cespedes :clapping
Cespedes is a dynamic centre fielder and infielder who debuted for Granma province's team in the '04 Serie Nacional. He joined Team Cuba in the 2005 World Cup qualifying event held in Colombia in November of '04.



Dayan Viciedo :clapping
Heralded by some as the next possible Omar Linares, the youngster from Remedios, Villa Clara first joined the province’s line-up in November ’04 at age 15. A high school student, Viciedo can play second base, third base and shortstop. He is known for his speed, big arm and long-ball capabilities. He made the Occidentales' 2006 All-Star roster.



Alien Mora
A native of Santiago de Cuba, Mora is a leading starter for Ciego de Avila province's team. He debuted in the '02 season as a reliever and has worked his way to the top of the pitching rotation with a fastball in the low 90's and an improving array of breaking pitches.




Rudy Reyes
From Arroyo Naranjo in Havana, Reyes has emerged as a Team Cuba second baseman at the '05 World Cup. In '05 he was on the All-Star roster for the Occidentales (West). The former Metropolitano has also played third base and shortstop. In '01 he had the best defensive record at third and in '02 he batted .312.



This guy has found his way lately into the Cuban team. He is one of the least deserving players in the roster.

[BuzzLatino]

I found this forum (http://www.vanguardia.co.cu/foros/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=765688f077e6ee86af1f86a4c3d4aca2)(Spanish), in which the communists are saying bad things about Contreras, Livan, Baez, etc. They said these players aren't real Cubans because they left Cuba. I'm thinking about joining the forum to attack those stupid communists.

I hate communists.:mad: :evil

It is in a Cuban Goverment controlled website, if you write something attacking them it will never be post, regular cuban people are not allowed to use internet in their houses, you have to go to a goverment place like an university or a "tourist only" (no cubans allowed) facility . Of course if you are not communist you'll never go to college. They only post positive comments about Cuba, Fidel's Team and his revolution, that's just the way it is in Cuba.

[Cubano100%]

The Cuban 30 men roster will be known tonight!

Keep you posted!:gt

[Agente Libre]

Thanks, Cubano100%. Please let us know when you see the roster. (Cuba actually has until March 3 to announce their roster, but they probably need more time to finalize the U.S. visas.)

[Agente Libre]

Here are my guesses; let's see how close I come:

Receptores:
Ariel Pestano
Eriel Sánchez
Roger Machado

Cuadro:
Joan C. Pedroso
Danny Miranda
Loidel Chapellí
Yorelvis Charles
Rudy Reyes
Michel Enríquez
Yulieski Gourriel
Eduardo Paret

Jardineros:
Carlos Tabares
Osmani Urrutia
Frederich Cepeda
Juan Carlos Linares
Alexei Ramírez

Lanzadores:
Danny Betancourt
Pedro Luis Lazo
Yunesky Maya
Deinys Suárez
Yadel Martí
Jonder Martínez
Yulieski González
José Ángel García
Vicyohandri Odelín
Norberto González
Adiel Palma
Robelio Carrillo
Ormari Romero
Yosvani Pérez

[Cubano100%]

If I have a chance tonight, I'll post the roster. I have to pick my relatives at the airport. Guess where are they coming from?:rolleyes: :crazy :D

There is a Cuban TV program at 5:30 or 6:30 Miami time where the roster will be announced. I am sure any of my fellow Cubans here will post it before I do.

The roster will be based around pitching, defense and speed for what I have read in the Cuban news. Alexei Ramirez is playing right and Juan Pedroso and Urrutia are kissing the bench. They want speed.

That is excellent with me.:gt


The only thing I would prefer is having another lefty in the line up. Only Borrero (4th) and Cepeda (6th).



I thought your were in Puerto Rico already!:mad:

[Agente Libre]

Thanks. I'm not even sure if I'm going to P.R.

[Agente Libre]

Today Cuba narrowed its roster to 35 players; here they are (I'm sure Cubano would have posted it but apparently he's at the airport):

Receptores: Ariel Pestano Valdés, Eriel Sánchez León, Roger Machado Morales y Vladimir García.

Jugadores de cuadro: Joan Carlos Pedroso Brooks, Ariel Borrero Algonzo, Rudy Reyes Erice, Yorelvis Charles Martínez, Eduardo Paret Pérez, Juan Carlos Moreno Pérez, Yuliesky Gourriel Castillo y Michel Enríquez Tamayo.

Jardineros: Carlos Alberto Tabares Padilla, Frederich Cepeda Cruz, Osmani Urrutia Ramírez, Alexei Rodríguez Ramírez, Yoennis Céspedes Milanés, Yoandrys Garlobo Román y Stephes Leslie Anderson.

Lanzadores: Pedro Luis Lazo Iglesias, Vicyhoandry Odelín Sáname, Jonder Martínez Martínez, Yuliesly González Ledesma, Yader Pedroso González, Adiel Palma López, Ormari Romero Turcas, Yosvani Pérez Ruiz, Yunieski Maya Mendiluza, Norberto González Miranda, Maykel Folch Vera, Luis Borroto Jiménez, Dennis Suáres La Guardia, Yadel Martí Carrillo, Yosvanoi Fonseca García y Luis M. Rodríguez.

[Cubano100%]

RHP Danny Betancourt did not survive!!!!!!!!

DANNY CLOSES FOR GOLD
Santiago righthander Danny Betancourt put the final touches on Australia for the gold. He also won the semi-final game versus Canada in a relief appearance.

[Agente Libre]

Trying to figure out the average age of Cuba's 35-man team. Need ages or birthdates for the following players. All help appreciated.

Ariel Borrero
Yoennis Cespedes
Maikel Folch
Yosvani Fonseca
Vladimir Garcia
Yoandry Garlobo
Yadel Marti
Yosvani Perez
Luis Miguel Rodriguez

Thanks.

[siromaniyon]

Ariel Borrero　　　　　　　1972/1/1
Yoennis Cespedes　　　1985/10/18
Maikel Folch　　　　　　　??/??/??
Yosvani Fonseca 1979/7/21
Vladimir Garcia 1972/11/5
Yoandry Garlobo 1977/12/10
Yadel Marti 1979/7/22
Yosvani Perez 1974/1/23
Luis Miguel Rodriguez 1973/5/3

I hear that Danny Betancourt got injuried

I'd rather that Viciedo and A.Soto should have been in final rosters.

[Cubano100%]

Yoennis Céspedes Milanés He is the real deal.:clapping :clapping :clapping
Fecha de Nacimiento: 10 de octubre de 1985
Lugar: Campechuela, Granma
Edad: 20 años
Estatura: 1´78
Peso: 87 kg
Batea: Derecha
Tira: Derecha
Posición: Jardinero
Series: 1
Equipos: Granma (Nacional)
Debut: XLIII Serie 2003-04 con Granma
Residencia: Campechuela, Granma
Número: 51
Eventos Internacionales: Campeonato Mundial Juvenil Canadá 2002, Panamericano Juvenil Curazao 2003, Torneo Premundial Colombia 2004

Céspedes es una de las figuras más prometedores de la pelota cubana en sentido general, algo que ha demostrado desde que comenzó su carrera en Series Nacionales la pasada temporada. Este habilidoso jardinero e integral bateador, hizo de la destacada sofbolista olímpica Estela Milanés, fue una figura estelar en la categoría juvenil donde se adueñó de la titularidad como tercer bate de la selección nacional. Es primer bate en Granma por su excelente capacidad de entrar en circulación y rapidez de piernas, aunque cuenta con poder al bate para apuntarse algunos vuelacercas.

Cespedes is a dynamic center fielder and infielder who debuted for Granma province's team in the '04 Serie Nacional. He joined Team Cuba in the 2005 World Cup qualifying event.







Yoandry Garlobo
Fecha de Nacimiento: 12 de enero de 1977
Lugar: Jovellanos, Matanzas
Edad: 28 años
Estatura: 1´75
Peso: 87 kg
Batea: Derecha
Tira: Derecha
Posición: Jardinero
Series: 6
Equipos: Matanzas (Nacional) y Occidentales (Súper Liga)
Debut: XXXVIII Serie 1998-99 con Matanzas
Residencia: Varadero, Matanzas
Número: 31
Eventos Internacionales: Mundial Juvenil de 1995

Excelente bateador, que ha tenido en los cuatro últimos años destacados desempeños a la ofensiva con la selección matancera. Pese a su físico que tiende a la obesidad, no es un hombre lento y su bateo lo ha instalado como titular dentro de su plantel, aunque como bateador designado la mayoría de las veces, pues defensivamente no resulta igualmente efectivo. En la última campaña comenzó a jugar más en los jardines que en el infield, donde comenzó su desempeño en Series Nacionales. Garlobo es uno de los mejores bateadores en la actualidad, pero al mismo tiempo es uno de los jugadores que menos se explica que no haya participado en ninguna selección nacional a un torneo internacional de relevancia, pues nivel tiene por arrobas.


Ariel Borrero Alfonso Too old.
Fecha de Nacimiento: 1 de Enero de 1972
Lugar: Santa Clara, Villa Clara
Edad: 33 años
Estatura: 1´77
Peso: 79 kg
Batea: Zurda
Tira: Zurda
Posición: Primera Base
Series: 9
Equipos: Villa Clara (Nacional) y Centrales (Súper Liga)
Debut: XXXV Serie 1995-96 con Villa Clara
Residencia: Santo Domingo, Villa Clara
Número: 53
Eventos Internacionales: Torneo Harlem 2001, Copa LG Panamá 2000
Ha sido en los últimos años, uno de los bateadores zurdos e inicialistas con mejor rendimiento en el clásico cubano, en el que ha liderado importantes departamentos como dobles y triples (XXXIX y XL Serie respectivamente), y se ha ubicado entre los primeros en otros renglones como impulsadas, jonrones y carreras anotadas. Fue el mejor primera base en la temporada 2000-01, y en la pasada contienda también bateó enormemente, aunque no fue incluido en la preselección nacional, una tónica sin explicación. Conecta para todas las bandas, especialmente para la opuesta, y es capaz de disparar lo mismo un triple o un cuadrangular. Es un gran experto para los extrabases, así como a la hora de impulsar a sus compañeros, aspecto en el que se sitúa entre los más eficientes, por lo que perfectamente puede estar entre las estrellas más sobresalientes de la pelota cubana.

BORERRO AL BATE
Villa Clara's first baseman Ariel Borrero, winds up for a swing. Borerro is one of Cuba's most underrated first basemen.




Vladimir Garcia is the catcher for Isla de la Juventud. I have no info on him.




NOMBRE EQUIPO VB C H 2B 3B HR CI BB SO AVE



ENRIQUEZ TAMAYO, MICHEL IJV 223 71 100 22 0 12 51 52 13 .448
URRUTIA RAMIREZ, OSMANI LTU 244 39 109 18 0 13 61 39 18 .447
GARLOBO ROMAY, YOANDY MTZ 193 39 79 10 1 10 41 52 15 .409
ANDERSON S,, LESLIE CMG 241 49 89 13 1 12 46 30 31 .369
VIDEAUX M,, ROBERQUI GTM 233 46 85 18 2 9 40 32 28 .365
PARET PEREZ, EDUARDO VCL 156 36 57 8 0 2 19 54 12 .365
CESPEDES M,, YOHENIS GRA 246 68 89 20 2 15 53 30 28 .362
URGELLES COBAS, YOANDRY IND 211 34 76 10 1 3 44 39 19 .360
VICIEDO PEREZ, DAYAN VCL 241 46 86 11 4 12 46 15 28 .357
SUAREZ BURQUEZ, AMAURY LTU 264 48 94 13 2 7 49 25 37 .356
GARCIA SALAZAR, YUSQUIEL CMG 265 39 92 10 1 7 27 24 24 .347
BORRERO ALFONSO, ARIEL VCL 244 47 84 11 1 9 55 30 24 .344
QUIALA HERRERA, ANDRES LTU 215 38 73 6 3 1 21 36 23 .340
POLL MARTINEZ, PEDRO SCU 239 35 81 20 0 4 55 36 18 .339
RUIZ BARZAN, JOSE JULIO SCU 160 26 54 7 4 1 34 20 28 .338
PEDROSO BROOKS, JOAN CARLOS LTU 187 47 63 12 1 15 53 18 37 .337
DESPAIGNE R,, ALFREDO GRA 256 52 86 14 3 14 55 20 25 .336
ABREU CORREA, JOSE DARIEL CFG 224 36 75 16 2 7 40 18 45 .335
LABORDE CALUNGA, ALEXIS GTM 248 36 83 13 1 6 51 24 20 .335
PEREZ SUAREZ, YASSER MTZ 218 35 73 11 3 2 26 19 31 .335
CHARLES M,, YORELVIS CAV 264 53 88 10 0 15 60 25 17 .333
MARTINEZ DORTA, ISAAC CAV 213 36 71 9 2 6 35 19 20 .333
REYES ERICE, RUDY IND 163 36 54 5 3 1 22 8 9 .331
DIAZ CORDERO, ORLIS LUIS IJV 249 49 82 14 1 9 69 28 22 .329
SAMON MATAMOROS, YORDANIS GRA 238 46 78 24 1 8 60 20 31 .328
TABARES PADILLA, CARLOS ALBERTO IND 238 51 78 16 0 6 35 28 10 .328
MIRANDA A,, DANNY CAV 227 41 74 17 1 11 48 38 18 .326
IBARRA REYES, ADALBERTO CMG 236 28 77 13 3 0 23 18 32 .326
SANCHEZ SOUZA, YERAL HOL 250 37 81 16 2 8 36 21 31 .324
MORENO PEREZ, JUAN CARLOS IJV 238 41 77 22 1 1 42 30 20 .324
MUJICA DIAZ, YADIL MTZ 219 27 71 5 1 4 22 17 26 .324
LINARES I,, JUAN CARLOS HAB 257 53 83 18 1 10 37 22 49 .323
RAMIREZ R,, ALEXEI PRI 248 40 80 13 1 9 40 36 19 .323
RODRIGUEZ L,, MICHEL HAB 248 59 80 10 1 6 33 45 47 .323
GARCIA MARTINEZ, VLADIMIR IJV 189 26 61 7 0 3 38 30 28 .323
PEREZ GUILLEN, SERGUEI IND 212 32 68 15 1 3 28 29 17 .321
DUVERGEL ROJAS, GIORVIS GTM 253 54 81 11 2 12 27 26 22 .320
SANCHEZ LEON, ERIEL SSP 219 31 70 8 0 6 42 23 12 .320
SCULL HERNANDEZ, ANTONIO IND 171 31 54 9 0 3 16 35 28 .316
NAVAS GONZALEZ, LUIS MIGUEL SCU 209 37 66 13 1 1 34 40 18 .316
GOURRIEL C,, YULIESKY SSP 255 58 80 12 7 17 59 32 20 .314
MERIÑO B,, ROLANDO SCU 223 44 70 18 2 4 37 37 35 .314
TORRES CRUZ, JUAN CARLOS HAB 172 29 54 11 0 4 29 18 25 .314
GALVEZ GUERRA, DAINNIEL IJV 244 44 76 12 2 0 28 27 24 .311
FONSECA GARCIA, LUIS YADIEL IJV 210 42 65 12 2 8 43 19 37 .310
GIL ACOSTA, JOKEL MET 229 25 71 14 1 9 36 30 38 .310
MAYETA KERR, ALEXANDER IND 152 29 47 7 0 7 43 28 7 .309
DEL ROSARIO B,, OSCAR HOL 262 38 81 11 1 2 16 21 24 .309
LUIS CAMPILLO, WILLIAM CMG 211 43 65 8 2 12 42 23 30 .308
CHAPELLI J,, LOIDEL CMG 224 37 69 12 0 6 35 37 31 .308
CEPEDA CRUZ, FREDERICH SSP 199 49 61 11 1 10 43 64 27 .307
LUIS MARQUEZ, MARINO CMG 231 38 71 8 1 2 28 12 29 .307
GOURRIEL C,, YUNIESKY SSP 242 31 74 11 5 8 43 12 16 .306
LINARES ABREU, DOELSY IND 171 30 52 8 4 5 34 22 24 .304
MOLINET D,, ERNESTO HAB 230 44 70 15 3 5 40 28 32 .304
ORTA LUIS, RAFAEL HAB 250 36 76 12 4 3 47 31 31 .304
ZAMORA FARRES, ANDY VCL 204 39 62 7 3 1 28 44 22 .304
BELL QUINTERO, ALEXEI SCU 175 25 53 16 2 2 24 23 30 .303
PADRON BRAVO, JORGE PRI 246 36 74 8 2 1 26 18 25 .301

[Cubano100%]

Yosvani Fonseca García
Fecha de Nacimiento: 21 de julio de 1979
Lugar: Unión de Reyes, Matanzas
Edad: 25 años
Estatura: 1´79
Peso: 75 kg
Batea: Zurda
Tira: Zurda
Posición: Lanzador
Series: 6
Equipos: Matanzas (Nacional) y Occidentales (Súper Liga)
Debut: XXXVIII Serie 1998-99 con Matanzas
Residencia: Unión de Reyes, Matanzas
Número: 51

Fonseca es uno de los mejores lanzadores zurdos hoy en día, ya que además de sus innegables condiciones como tirador, ha alcanzado sobresalientes resultados, sobre todo en la justa XLII, donde fue el mejor pitcher de los cocodrilos. Posee una excelente bola rápida y buena curva, pero como casi todo el staff matancero, tiene deficiencias en su control. En la temporada 2002-03 tuvo una merma en su rendimiento en cuanto a victorias, pero en efectividad mejoró, aunque en la última campaña 2003-04 estuvo con un balance muy negativo de 2-13. Sin dudas es en estos momentos el mejor serpentinero de Matanzas.

Yadel Martí Carrillo
Fecha de Nacimiento: 22 de julio de 1979
Lugar: San Miguel, Ciudad de la Habana
Edad: 26 años
Estatura: 1´77
Peso: 72
Tira: Derecha
Posición: Lanzador
Series: 6
Debut: XXVIII Serie 1998-99 con Metropolitanos
Residencia: San Miguel, Ciudad de la Habana
Equipos: Industriales y Metropolitanos (Nacional), y Habaneros e Industriales (Súper Liga)
Número: 90
Eventos Internacionales: Copa Challenge Canadá 2000, Copa Intercontinental Cuba 2002, Juegos Panamericanos Santo Domingo 2003, Copa Mundial Cuba 2003, Torneo Preolímpico Panamá 2003
Equipos en Series Provinciales: San Miguel del Padrón

Debutó con Metropolitanos en 1999, y se mantuvo hasta la campaña 2000-01 como cerrador del conjunto rojo, alcanzando resultados a la par de los mejores apagafuegos del patio. Ya con Industriales en la lid 2002, comenzó a iniciar casi a mediados de campeonato, y en cada una de sus salidas resultó una seguridad para el equipo azul. Entre Nacional y Súper Liga logró el mejor promedio de ganados y perdidos en Cuba, y fue capaz de vencer a los fuertes y débiles con la misma efectividad. Es uno de los pitchers que mejor defiende su territorio. En la campaña 2002-03 volvió a ganar 10 juegos en la primera etapa, al tiempo que en la post-temporada ganó los tres partidos que abrió y se apuntó un juego salvado, lo que demostró su liderato una vez más dentro de Industriales. Yadel terminó como líder en promedio de ganados y perdidos en la XLII Serie. Su recta roza las 90 millas, y cuenta con una excelente slider que mezcla con otros lanzamientos movidos. Su principal arma es precisamente la inteligencia a la hora de lanzar, algo que lo ha convertido en uno de los mejores serpentineros de la actualidad, pese a su pequeña estatura. En la serie 2003-04 no estuvo muy bien, pues tuvo marca de 3-10, aunque en muchos encuentros la ofensiva de Industriales no lo apoyó. Los play off tampoco le depararon saldos positivos aunque debe dejar atrás ese mal año y volver a tomar su verdadero nivel.


One of the Cuba’s better finesse pitchers, Marti has a 90 mph fastball, incredible slider, and mixed bag of curves. He started his career as a reliever with the Metropolitanos and joined the Industriales in ’01. A member of Team Cuba in ‘02 and ‘03, he finished the 2003 season with a 10-2 record.

[Agente Libre]

Thanks very much.

[cuban_aficionado]

First of all, I want to extend to Cubano100%'s Family a Welcome to the USA!!!:waving Even if it is just visiting I am glad they could make it!!!!
Cubano100%: I hope everyone is doing well!!!!

Now going back to baseball I am actually surprised that Higinio Velez (Team Cuba's Manager) and his advisers chose 35 players instead of the final 30.:confused: :confused: :confused:
I was under the impression that they will chose 30 players this Monday since according to Cuba's media all players were in a 3 day break (Sunday to Wednesday) from their training and only the 30 men roster will be called back to train before heading to Puerto Rico.

Well at least we know that by Friday, March 3rd, the final roster should be announced. For now all I can do is expeculate about who are the unlucky 5 that will be cut. Now that I mentioned cutting, the reason Cuba's government controlled media give about start RHP Danny Betancourt not making it to the team was that he is "injured". Me, personally I believe the guy had other plans (read playing for mayor league baseball) after the WBC and somehow the government found out he was planning to stay in Puerto Rico. Of course I am only given my opinion here but that "injury" out of nowhere is a little suspicious.....:noidea

I am hoping Cuba will follow the structure of other teams' 30 men rosters such as the United States and take 14 pitchers instead of 13 to the WBC.
If this is the case there are 2 pitchers out, one catcher and maybe one each of the infield and outfield players.

Related to the WBC I was watching the other day Cold Pizza in ESPN and they were presenting the uniforms for the Teams for the WBC and team Cuba was the one featured on the manique:cool: . Just think about it, a week from tomorrow we are going to wake up and hear all about the WBC and watch Team Cuba's highlights on ESPN.... Isn't that great or what:clapping :clapping :clapping

[Cubano100%]

I will try to guess which players are going to be left out of the final 30 men roster.

One of the following two catchers:

Roger Machado o Vladimir Garcia

Infielders:

Juan Carlos Moreno

Rudy Reyes somehow is one of the favorites. I guess as a pinch runner.

Outfielders:

Yoennis Céspedes or Leslie Anderson. Though Anderson is lefty and will make it.

Pitchers

Yosvani Fonseca García and Luis M. Rodríguez, though Rodriguez has good numbers.

[Cubano100%]

I got a video of Industriales vs Isla de la Juventud. Isla de la Juventud SS Juan Carlos Moreno has great range.

Yadel Marti is pitching for Industriales and 19 year old Israel Soto for the Isla. Soto was in the original 60 men roster. He is talented and has good stuff but has to improve his control. Mostly, he throws side arm or 3/4 delivery.

Marti allowed a 2b by Michel Enriquez. I have not finished the game yet.


I got another one between Industriales vs the Wasps,the current champs.

Rudy Reyes made a rookie error.

[Dutch Girl]

Hi Cubano100%, I hope you're wrong (Juan Carlos Morena not coming to Puerto Rico)!!!!

:( :noidea

[siromaniyon]

I think that team-balance is valued mostly.
Ariel Borrero may fail because Leslie Anderson can replace the role of him.
And,Roger Machado (He is not be in his best shape)

Moreno will be in final-roster,I think.
Torpedero includes much danger which makes injuries by accident

By the way,Why Jonder Martínez is overrated??in not only 2004 but this time.
I saw him in 2004 when Cuba-team came into Japan before Athene-Olympic,
and couldn't appreciate him at that time.

[Cubano100%]

I think that team-balance is valued mostly.
Ariel Borrero may fail because Leslie Anderson can replace the role of him.
And,Roger Machado (He is not be in his best shape)

Moreno will be in final-roster,I think.
Torpedero includes much danger which makes injuries by accident

By the way,Why Jonder Martínez is overrated??in not only 2004 but this time.
I saw him in 2004 when Cuba-team came into Japan before Athene-Olympic,
and couldn't appreciate him at that time.


Who said he is overrated?

His stuff is MLB quality but sometimes he is inconsistent.

[Cubano100%]

World Baseball Classic: Cuba's Yuliesky Gourriel


By Pete Cava
March 2, 2006

Omar Linares was a legend, in the true sense of that word.

To baseball fans who weren’t lucky enough to see him play for the Cuban national team, Linares was a player whose greatness was discovered second-hand. The youngest player to play in Cuba’s Serie Nacional (the island nation’s top-level league), he was 15 in 1985 when he led the league with 65 RBIs, the largest total in 15 years. The next year—when he was 16—he led the league in intentional walks.

Linares was the greatest player fans never saw, and stories of how good he was were hard for American fans to believe. He played until 2001 for Cuba’s national teams, winning Olympic gold medals in 1992 and ’96, and going out with gold in the ’01 World Cup in Taiwan.

That proved to be the swan song for many stalwarts of Cuba’s national teams. In July 2001, Cuba also won the Junior Pan Am Games with a team that included an infielder named Yuliesky Gourriel, 17, and current Angels prospect Kendry Morales.

Cuba won gold in the 18-and-under tournament as Gourriel batted .433 and made the all-tournament team. Morales, considered Cuba’s top young player, homered and went the distance on the mound to earn the tournament’s MVP award.

Most assumed Morales would inherit Linares’ mantle as the top hitter for Cuba, and the next year, Cuba graduated young players such as Gourriel, Morales and Frederich Cepeda to Cuba’s senior national team. The new-look team won gold in the 2003 World Cup in Cuba to pass its first real test. Morales hit just .265 but cemented his place in Cuba’s hierarchy with a game-winning home run against Brazil (driving in Gourriel, who started the rally with a triple) to avert a huge upset.

Morales could have been the heir to Linares’ throne, it appeared, with Gourriel pushing him for the honor of best player in Cuba. Instead, he defected and signed a lucrative contract with the Angels, guaranteeing him $6 million.

It left Gourriel behind as the Cuban national team’s top hitter, the player left to try to live up Linares’ legacy and to maintain the pride Cuba’s baseball team brings to the isolated Communist nation. That pride is on the line like never before at the World Baseball Classic, as Cuba’s "amateurs” face international major leaguers, and it’s up to Gourriel more than any Cuban player to help maintain his country’s unmatched track record.

Scouts who have seen Gourriel say he’s up to it.

"That kid is something special," said John Kazanas, an area scout for the White Sox who saw Gourriel in the 2004 Olympics, when Kazanas was the Greek team’s coach. "He’s got such quick wrists, it’s like a knife through butter, and there’s no butter on the knife.

"There were a lot of good players in Athens. I wrote him up as my No. 1, and he was 20 years old on top of it."

First-Round Talent

BEST OF THE REST
Gourriel heads our Top 5 list of the best players you never heard of who will be in the Classic. Here’s the rest of the field, in alphabetical order

Lee Seung Yeop, 1b, Korea
Age: 29. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190.

Lee made big news in the Korean Baseball Organization in 2003, when he hit 56 home runs for the Samsung Lions. That set a new (so-called) Asian record, breaking the mark of 55 set in Japan by Sadaharu Oh in 1964 and tied by Tuffy Rhodes in 2001 and Alex Cabrera in 2002. That feat, together with his 144 RBIs and .301 batting average, set Lee’s sights on playing baseball at a higher level, and he thought about making a move to the United States. Instead, he signed with Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines in 2004 but struggled and found Japanese baseball more difficult than he had anticipated as he hit just .240-14-50 in 100 games. But in 2005, the first baseman/outfielder/DH came through with a .260-30-82 season for the Japan Series champion Marines. During the off-season, he refused Lotte’s contract offer and signed with the Yomiuri Giants.
--WAYNE GRACZYK

Pedro Luis Lazo, rhp, Cuba
Age: 32. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 235.

Lazo has earned comparisons to Lee Smith for everything from his size and complexion to his high-90s fastball velocity and slow gait from the bullpen. He made his international debut in 1991 (at age 18, if his official birth date is correct) in the World Junior Championships. While he was passed over for Cuba’s ’92 Olympic team, he was a member of the ’96 and 2004 gold-medal winners. He also took the loss in the 2000 gold-medal game, giving up a solo home run to Team USA’s Mike Neill in the first inning while Ben Sheets shut out Cuba. Lazo changes speed on his fastball—in the ’05 World Cup, a scout said he saw Lazo strike out a batter with three fastballs at 86, 89 and 95 mph—and complements it with a hard, mid-80s slider. The biggest difference between Lazo and Smith: Lazo usually is a starter during Serie Nacional for Pinar Del Rio, so if Cuba needs him for more than an inning, Lazo can deliver. He tossed 5 2/3 innings against Team USA in the World Cup quarterfinals last fall.
--JOHN MANUEL

Nobuhiko Matsunaka, 1b, Japan
Age: 32. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 220.

Matsunaka is a burly first baseman/DH and run-producing machine for Japan’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He is currently the most consistent slugger and clutch hitter in Japan’s Pacific League, having won the Triple Crown in 2004 when he hit .358-44-120. That followed a .324-30-123 season in 2003. He also led both Japanese leagues in homers in 2005 when he hit .315-46-121. His home run totals are all the more impressive when you consider his home stadium, Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome, is the largest in the country. Matsunaka was the league MVP in 2000 and in 2004. Matsunaka is expected to bat cleanup and serve as DH for the Japan team in the Classic.
--WAYNE GRACZYK

Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, Japan
Age: 25. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 187.

A scout once dubbed him the Elvis of Japan for his popularity, and Matsuzaka has been a star in his homeland since an epic performance in Japan’s national high school tournament, in which he had one 250-pitch outing and threw a no-hitter in the tournament championship. The Seibu Lions made him the first pick in Japan’s 1998 draft, and he went 16-5, 2.60 only one year later. His heavy workload (including a 240-inning season in 2001) caught up to him, as injuries limited him to an average of 138 innings from 2002-2004. His 2005 season was his best, however, with a career-low 2.30 ERA and a league-leading 226 strikeouts in 215 innings. He went just 14-13, though, for a 67-69 Seibu team. Matsuzaka, who throws four pitches for strikes and maintains a low-90s fastball deep into games, has pitched for Japan’s last two Olympic teams, striking out 45 in 43 innings, but lost both the bronze-medal game in 2000 to Korea (3-1) and the 2004 semifinal against Australia (1-0).
--JOHN MANUEL


Ask scouts about Gourriel, and they will talk about his tools as if he were a first-round pick. If Gourriel were American, he would be a college junior now and certainly a first-rounder.

The only dispute is over which position he should play. On the national team, he has played second and third base, and for his Sancti Spiritus team in Serie Nacional, Gourriel has been shifted more to third, though he has filled in at shortstop. His work around the bag at second on double plays, according to Cuba observers, led to his move to third.

"For me, he’s a No. 1 guy, and he’s a power hitter who fits the third base profile," said a scout with extensive international experience. "I think he’s a championship-caliber third baseman in the big leagues. He doesn’t have a weakness.

"I had him with a 55 arm, and it seems like he has more if he needs it, and I put him as a 55 defender, though I think he could be a 60. But he’s an offensive player."

Gourriel has a long, sinewy-strong body, comparable to a young Chipper Jones or Ernie Banks, and he produces tremendous power with quick wrists, strong hands and an unconventional approach at the plate that nevertheless allows him to generate terrific bat speed. His power helped Cuba dominate the 2005 World Cup in the Netherlands, as he led the tournament with eight home runs, including a long blast off the Devil Rays' Jason Phillips in an 11-3 rout of Team USA.

In his last three major international tournaments—the 2003 and 2005 World Cups and the ’04 Olympics—Gourriel progressively has become more dangerous, and more confident. He had one extra-base hit and four RBIs in 2003; last September, he had 19 RBIs in just nine games. Combined in those tournaments, Gourriel is hitting .342-11-36 over 29 games.

"He plays with a real air of confidence now," one scout said. "There’s just no question he’s great now, and would be a great player in the States."

Another scout put it more bluntly: "After I saw him, I tried to convince my organization that it’s worth it to try and do what we can to get this guy out of Cuba. This guy has a chance to be a big league shortstop or third baseman and be an impact player for 10 years."

No Place Like Home

However, defecting isn’t likely for Gourriel, whose profile is more like that of Linares than Morales. His manager at Sancti Spiritus is Lourdes Gourriel, his father, who was an impressive player in his own right. A former stalwart of national teams in the '70s and early '80s, Lourdes Gourriel spent 20 seasons in Serie Nacional, hitting .323 with 247 home runs (Cuba used metal bats and played 90-game seasons in the elder Gourriel’s time).

He also plays on the Sancti Spiritus team with his brother Yuniesky, an outfielder and significantly lesser player. These family factors, according to sources familiar with baseball in Cuba, make it unlikely Gourriel would defect, as defecting would preclude any return to communist Cuba.

"Gourriel is a player the fans talk about, and he’s very consistent, but he’s not the dominating player that Linares was," said Peter Bjarkman, who has written several books about international baseball and Cuba in particular. "The feeling you get when you watch him, though, is that he’s only going to get better. He’s not near what he’s going to be."

In this way, Gourriel is not Linares, who was a dominant player instantly. Gourriel may be Cuba’s best, but it’s not by a wide margin. Frederich Cepeda is nearly his peer among younger players, a switch-hitter with pop and speed in center field. And 16-year-old Dayan Viciedo, the MVP of the world youth championships, was the youngest player on any Classic provisional roster.

But now, Gourriel can do something not even Linares got to do. He can become a real star, not just a legend, for fans in the U.S. and around the world, by leaving his mark on the inaugural World Baseball Classic.




Yuniesky Gourriel

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/060302wbccuba3b.html

This is your time to leave and pursue the American dream as a big leaguer. Es ahora o nunca chamaco.

[cuban_aficionado]

Catchers:

Ariel Pestano,
Roger Machado
Eriel Sánchez.

Infield Players:

Joan Carlos Pedroso,
Ariel Borrero,
Rudy Reyes,
Eduardo Paret,
Juan Carlos Moreno,
Yulieski Gourriel
Michel Enríquez.

Outfielders:

Carlos Tabares,
Frederich Cepeda,
Osmani Urrutia,
Alexei Ramírez,
Yoandry Garlobo
Leslie Anderson.

Pitchers:

Pedro Luis Lazo,
Vicyohandry Odelín,
Jonder Martínez,
Yulieski González,
Yadier Pedroso,
Adiel Palma,
Yadel Martí,
Deynis Suárez,
Ormari Romero,
Yosvani Pérez,
Yunieski Maya,
Norberto González,
Maikel Folch
Luis Borroto.

There are four left handed pitchers, Folch being one of them, leader with wins (10) in the Serie Nacional......

[cuban_aficionado]

Cuba vs. P.R.: a Classic matchup
March 10 Round 1 finale headlines Pool C in San Juan
By Tom Singer / MLB.com


Is this Pool C for Cuba? Might as well be. As the most intriguing of the 16 Classic countries, Cuba will lose its shroud of mystery in San Juan. If the talent lives up to the hype, the Cubans may not lose anything else. Locals have long had the March 10 Round 1 finale, Cuba vs. Puerto Rico, circled in -- if you'll pardon the expression -- red.

Hiram Bithorn Stadium: Not built for Small Ball. While the spongy Field Turf slows the running game, the cozy corners (315 feet to left, 313 to right) make it pull hitters' heaven. But pitchers do have a friend in the expansive foul territory. For the two afternoon games, the turf will heat up to way over 100 degrees.

Cuba: The purest national team in the Classic field. While other squads are enhanced by "guests" qualifying through liberal eligibility rules or have been diluted by studs bowing out, this is all-Cuba and the hand-picked best. (And how about that irony? Cuba being the only team not having to worry about defections?) I won't be so sure about that:D

As for the team's potency -- the whole world waits to see. Cuba has recently undergone a tremendous turnover -- even just since its last dance on the open stage, the 2004 Olympics. Ok this guy forgot about World Cup Netherlands 2005? Many frontline players are unknowns -- and will probably remain so through the early action. Cuba will undoubtedly play a hustler's hand, holding back its top arms especially, in its first two games, against Panama and The Netherlands.

Everyone will get a better sense of the real Cubans in the game against Puerto Rico, which both should enter 2-0. If so, the only stake will be pride; both teams by then should be poised to advance to Round 2. But it will be the right time for Cuba to make a statement.

Cuba's traditional pitching strength is represented by Danny Betancourt, ok this guy definately does not read our postings :laugh :laugh :laugh Yunieski Maya and Pedro Luis Lazo. But lineup cornerstones Michel Enrique, Yulieski Gourriel, Yoennis Cespedes and Osmani Urrutia have some gaudy numbers -- implying pitching depth might be a problem.

Already known: The Cubans will be in midseason form, because they are in the middle of their season. Cuba native Preston Gomez, the former big league manager still looped into his homeland, guarantees "Cuba will be in great physical condition and ready to play."

Puerto Rico: Some big names. Tight defense. And, of course, home-country advantage. Enough assets to get the Puerto Ricans out of Round 1. But enough to get them off the island?

That will be a tougher assignment, with Round 2, to be also held in San Juan, featuring the Pool D survivors among the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Italy and Australia.

New Mets teammates Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado headline the team, which will also count catching as a strength, with Ivan Rodriguez backed up by a Molina (Yadier or Bengie). But the rest of the lineup is strangely devoid of power -- strange, because the home team may be least equipped to take advantage of the ballpark.

The rotation dropoff from No. 1 starter Javier Vazquez is equally steep, and the situation could be dire unless Joel Piniero's comeback season begins right here. Manager Jose Oquendo has more riches in the bullpen but, given pitch limits, if he has to use too many of them to get to his closer, matters could be dire by Game 3 time.

And that date will be with Cuba, the major battle within the Classic war for Puerto Rico. There is good reason Puerto Rico was ready to renounce its role as a host country had Cuba not been approved for the Classic by the U.S. government. Without the chance to play, and beat, Cuba, the tournament would've lost its edge. So keen is the competition between the Caribbean neighbors.

Arizona's Alex Cintron, the likely starting shortstop, spoke for most of his countrymen when he said, "For me to play against Cuba is something amazing, especially at home."

Netherlands: An appropriately named World Baseball Classic country, given that the English translation of "nether" is "hindmost"? Not so fast. True, outfielder Andruw (Dutch) Jones sticks out on this team like a sore thumb in a dyke. But there is a lot of potential for this little-known baseball hotbed -- especially when considering its reach includes such warm-weather territories as Aruba and Curacao.

Betcha didn't know televised ball's audience is denser in The Netherlands Antilles -- which include Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and others -- than anywhere else on the planet. Or that quite a few native prospects are scattered throughout Major League organizations -- and will now collect under the Dutch red, white and blue.

Not to imply that this corner of the Classic will turn into any kind of Dutch treat. Manager Robert Eenhoorn (the former Yankees infielder, remember?) lacks the pitching to stand up to the big bats they'll see. Calvin Maduro, who won 10 games in five seasons of a widespread Major League career and last pitched in the bigs in 2002, is the likely No. 1 starter. So blindfolds might be in order.

Finding an optimum lineup slot for Jones presents an interesting problem. Will he be pitched around? Does Holland have windmills? Eenhoorn could do worse than consider stepping up as the Classic's only player-manager. Sure, he is nearly a decade past his last big league game, but he just turned 38 and can still take his hacks.

Panama: They've got Carlos Lee swinging, Mariano Rivera stinging and David Lee Roth singing. Doesn't add up to bright prospects for this Central American entry. Some may even endorse Mo's reasons for staying away. What is the value of a world-class closer on a team that may not have a World Classic lead to protect?

The Panamanians are even suffering the slings of scorn for recently losing their manager, Roberto Kelly, over a beef with national team organizers.

But don't be too quick to totally dismiss them. Underneath the cream, there may be enough anonymous talent in a baseball-crazed country to keep up with the competition. And, hey, while established big leaguers are abandoning other teams, Panama actually gained reinforcement: third baseman Olmedo Saenz, who'd previously bailed, has changed his mind and will play to honor his mom, who passed away on Feb. 16.

And Panama does have a bona fide No. 1 starter in Bruce Chen, who points out, "In baseball, anything can happen. A pitcher can have a good day, or a [hitter] can have a good day."

A good day by Chen and Lee, who has muscled 94 homers the last three seasons, would be a start. But then there will be a Day 2. Panama's team speed and tight defense may not suffice over the long haul.

Marquee matchup: Mike Lowell vs. Pedro Luis Lazo. Lowell against any Cuban will be high drama, because his dad was born in Cuba and the family feelings still run deep. But if he meets Lazo, it would be with the game on the line -- and the emotions would be staggering.

Sleeper: Randall Simon, Netherlands. If he bats in front of Dutch Jones, the career .283 big league hitter will see a lot of tasty pitches -- though maybe not as tasty as an Italian sausage running around the Miller Park warning track.

Fearless forecast: Picking Puerto Rico and Cuba to advance doesn't take mucho daring. One boasts a core of Major League bright lights, the other the heirs of generations of rich talent. Yet the teams figure to be contrasts of one another, from Puerto Rico's Pool-best offense to Cuba's soundest and deepest pitching staff.

Pool C schedule: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Tuesday, March 7, 7 p.m. ET, Panama vs. Puerto Rico

Wednesday, March 8, 1 p.m. ET, Cuba vs. Panama

Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. ET, Puerto Rico vs. Netherlands

Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m. ET, Cuba vs. Netherlands

Friday, March 10, 1 p.m. ET, Netherlands vs. Panama

Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. ET, Puerto Rico vs. Cuba:crazy :crazy

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060301&content_id=1329477&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp

[Cubano100%]

Catchers:

Ariel Pestano,
Roger Machado
Eriel Sánchez.

Infield Players:

Joan Carlos Pedroso,
Ariel Borrero,
Rudy Reyes,
Eduardo Paret,
Juan Carlos Moreno,
Yulieski Gourriel
Michel Enríquez.

Outfielders:

Carlos Tabares,
Frederich Cepeda,
Osmani Urrutia,
Alexei Ramírez,
Yoandry Garlobo
Leslie Anderson.

Pitchers:

Pedro Luis Lazo,
Vicyohandry Odelín,
Jonder Martínez,
Yulieski González,
Yadier Pedroso,
Adiel Palma,
Yadel Martí,
Deynis Suárez,
Ormari Romero,
Yosvani Pérez,
Yunieski Maya,
Norberto González,
Maikel Folch,
Luis Borroto.



There are five left handed pitchers, Folch being one of them, leader with wins (10) in the Serie Nacional......

Left handed pitchers are shown with bigger fonts.

Cespedes did not make it. I like Anderson because he is lefty.

[Cubano100%]

I think the starters are going to be Odelin, Borroto y Palma for the first round.

[Agente Libre]

It's a joke Cespedes and Charles didn't make it. They have 15 home runs each.

[Kiefer]

It's a joke Cespedes and Charles didn't make it. They have 15 home runs each.

Yeah, that's true.

I prefer Charles over Rudy Reyes.

[Cubano100%]

Rudy Reyes will be a pinch runner only. Nothing else.

[Agente Libre]

... and a good communist.

[Kiefer]

Well said.

[Cubano100%]

The first four Cubans arrived in PR. Presidente de la Federación Cubana de Béisbol (FCB), Carlos Rodríguez, quien llegó acompañado por el vicejefe de la delegación, Alfredo Casaña; el director de seguridad, Antonio Mesa Salas, y el director de prensa y propaganda del Instituto de Deportes, Educación Física y Recreación (Inder), Pedro Cabrera.

Alfreda Casana, Security Director


El presidente de la Federación de Béisbol de Cuba, Carlos Rodríguez, es recibido en el aeropuerto por Israel Roldán. (Teresa Canino Rivera)

Dos Comunistas Juntos!


The Cuban team is scheduled to arrive Monday.

[cuban_aficionado]

In my opinion is really a shame that Cespedes didn't make the team:grouchy . I think that politics was definitely involved in the "injury" of Danny Betancourt:mad:
and is questionable the use of a player like Rudy Reyes just to run the bases. :confused:
With so much at stake why will anyone just include one player to run the bases instead of high performance player like Cespedes? :grouchy

I just wanted to mention that the license the US Treasury Department provided to MLB for team Cuba only allows 30 players and 45 staff members, with that said if we take 5 coaches/trainers from the 45 staff the communist regimen can only send 40 security agents to keep watch over the players. That is better than 200 to 300 people Cuba used to send with each baseball team that traveled outside the island. Now we have to keep in mind what Contreras said: about the 10 government spies on the team plus you have to add the spies Cuba may have already in Puerto Rico. And if the rumors I heard are true, that Israel Roldán Israel Roldan, President of Puerto Rico´s Amateur Baseball Federation, is providing the Cuban government with extra security in San Juan; then it will be even harder for players to defect. :mad: :mad: :mad: and such a shame for the Puerto Rican authorities to be part of Castro's security efforts.

Despite all this obstacles, I am really praying that at least one player will escape and make it to the Mayors…. And that one day all Cuban baseball players can just be signed by Mayor League Teams in Cuba without risking their lives or their family’s well being…….

[Cubano100%]

In my opinion is really a shame that Cespedes didn't make the team:grouchy . I think that politics was definitely involved in the "injury" of Danny Betancourt:mad:
and is questionable the use of a player like Rudy Reyes just to run the bases. :confused:
With so much at stake why will anyone just include one player to run the bases instead of high performance player like Cespedes? :grouchy

I just wanted to mention that the license the US Treasury Department provided to MLB for team Cuba only allows 30 players and 45 staff members, with that said if we take 5 coaches/trainers from the 45 staff the communist regimen can only send 40 security agents to keep watch over the players. That is better than 200 to 300 people Cuba used to send with each baseball team that traveled outside the island. Now we have to keep in mind what Contreras said: about the 10 government spies on the team plus you have to add the spies Cuba may have already in Puerto Rico. And if the rumors I heard are true, that Israel Roldán, President of Puerto Rico´s Amateur Baseball Federation, is providing the Cuban government with extra security in San Juan; then it will be even harder for players to defect. :mad: :mad: :mad: and such a shame for the Puerto Rican authorities to be part of Castro's security efforts.

Despite all this obstacles, I am really praying that at least one player will escape and make it to the Mayors…. And that one day all Cuban baseball players can just be signed by Mayor League Teams in Cuba without risking their lives or their family’s well being…….



Well said! I am :mad: :mad: :mad: too.

[Kiefer]

I hate Paret!:mad:

He is the "captain", so you know what that means.

[Agente Libre]

The funny thing about Paret is that he got caught trying to leave several years ago but has now "reformed" himself and is allowed to travel again.

Goofy commies.

[Cubano100%]

The question is:

Was Paret an undercover agent to catch others at that time or was he truly trying to leave?

[Kiefer]

The question is:

Was Paret an undercover agent to catch others?

Yes, I'm pretty sure that he is an undercover agent.

[Agente Libre]

I don't know about that, at least not back then. He didn't travel for Cuba for years after that incident, and remember, about half his Villa Clara teammates have defected from that era -- Arrojo, Angel Lopez, Jorge Diaz, and several others.

[Kiefer]

Major League Baseball, the Cuban federation of baseball and local promoters of the global tourney are downplaying security precautions over possible defections from the Olympic champs, stung by high-profile departures in the past, including those of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Jose Contreras.

But history and the very presence of the Cuban team in Puerto Rico this week keeps the door open to defections from the communist-ruled island. The worst mass defection came in 1993 in Puerto Rico, during the Central American and Caribbean Games, when 39 athletes and trainers jumped ship.

"We will give all the support to anyone (who defects)," said Miguel Angel Martinez, president of the local chapter of the Cuban American National Foundation, a leading Cuba exile group. "We will support them legally and in every facet."

Participation in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, which brings together national squads from 16 leading baseball countries, is a risky road trip for Cuba, which has suffered a constant drain of sports talent from defections.

Major League baseball scouts will be watching the Cuban national team closely, hoping to lure top players with million-dollar contracts.

The Cubans will take to the same field as dozens of Major League millionaires. Cuban players earn a pittance.

In the past, some of Cuba's best players have joined the hundreds of Cubans who try to leave the island each year seeking better living conditions in the United States. Many make the risky journey on boats or rafts across the 100 miles (160 kilometers) of water that separate Cuba from Florida.

That's how "El Duque" Hernandez fled Cuba in 1997 before signing a multimillion-dollar big-league contract. His brother, Livan Hernandez, also pitches in the majors.

Cuban exile hard-liners in Miami, opposed to President Fidel Castro, have urged players to defect during the tourney.

The Cubans and the other three teams in Pool C -- Panama, Netherlands and Puerto Rico -- are staying at the El San Juan Hotel. The Cubans are in a separate area of the hotel, but Dan Mullin, senior security manager for Major League Baseball, said that's just how it worked out.

"The Cubans have been very good to work with," said Mullin. "They haven't asked for anything special."

The president of the Cuban baseball federation, Carlos Rodriguez, said there was no need for extraordinary security measures. "It's just like any other event," he said. "There is no need" for special arrangements.

Mullin said security checks, such as reviewing travel routes, FBI briefings and bomb sweeps, were routine for an event of this size.

Cuba plays its first game on Wednesday against Panama and as one of the tournament favorites is expected to make it to the second round. That would keep Cuban players on the island until March 15.

Martinez said he can't predict whether there will be defections. "We won't know until they do it," he said. "You know, they are surrounded by security and they have families in Cuba. Taking that step is not easy."

The Cuban national baseball team lost its best pitcher, Contreras, in 2002 during a tournament in Mexico. He was signed by the New York Yankees to a $32 million contract.

In June 2004, first baseman Kendry Morales fled Cuba in a motorboat and now plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Seattle Mariners shortstop Yunieski Betancourt also left Cuba by sea in 2004.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/03/05/cuba.defect.reut/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[Agente Libre]

March 5, 2006:

[Cubano100%]

Estricta seguridad rodea a peloteros cubanos en Puerto Rico
Agence France PresseSAN JUAN

Desde cámaras de vigilancia en el estadio hasta medidas especiales en torno a la delegación cubana, el plan de seguridad para el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol que comenzará mañana en Puerto Rico es uno de los más grandes implementados en la isla para un evento deportivo.

I thought nothing special would be done for the Cuban team. At least, that is what I have been reading in the press. We all know that was not true. MLB and Puerto Rico officials want the money that the Cuban team brings to the table in attendance and so forth despite the Cuban plight. This is why they have accomadated all Cuban governments requests. Shame on them!

Así lo informó ayer Jorge Santini, alcalde de la ciudad de San Juan, sede del Grupo C del evento, conformado por las selecciones de Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panamá y Holanda.

En una rueda de prensa realizada en el estadio Hiram Bithorn --donde se llevarán a cabo los partidos de la primera y segunda etapas desde el 7 al 15 de marzo--, Santini reconoció que ``éste es uno de los operativos más grandes implementados en nuestra ciudad, por la importancia que tiene para la imagen de Puerto Rico y de San Juan''.

Detalló el funcionario que unos 250 efectivos de la policía municipal tendrán a su cargo el orden dentro y en los alrededores del estadio, donde además se estrenará un circuito de 16 cámaras de seguridad que monitorearán todo lo que ocurre en la instalación.

Subrayó Santini que además se aplicará una política de ''cero tolerancia'' para las personas que se lancen a la grama a realizar cualquier tipo de protesta, así como con aquellas que realicen comentarios ofensivos contra otras o los atletas.

El plan de seguridad también incluye la disposición de un área frente al estadio para satisfacer el pedido de organizaciones políticas puertorriqueñas y de cubanos en el exilio de realizar protestas pacíficas.

''Tenemos una pequeña diferencia con estas organizaciones que pensamos podamos resolver antes de que comiencen los juegos. Ellos quieren estar justo frente al estadio y nosotros queremos que se desplacen unos 100 metros a un costado, para que no estorben el paso vehicular'', dijo Santini.
El alcalde acotó que se establecerán medidas especiales de seguridad en torno a la delegación cubana, lo mismo en el estadio que en el hotel, pero no quiso precisar en qué consistían esas precauciones.

''Tenemos que garantizar que todos los equipos puedan desarrollar con tranquilidad su trabajo'', se limitó a decir.
Añadió que para el partido Cuba-Puerto Rico, el viernes 10 de marzo, ya se vendieron la totalidad de los 19,922 asientos disponibles. De éstos, casi 14,000 fueron adquiridos en la primeras nueve horas de comenzada la venta, cuando se confirmó la presencia del equipo cubano.

Sold out Cuba vs Puerto Rico. All tickets for the game were sold very fast.

Santini informó también que como parte de la remodelación del estadio, se creó en el aledaño Coliseo Roberto Clemente un centro de entrenamiento con varias facilidades.

La idea, según Santini, es que los atletas del equipo que juegan en el segundo turno tengan donde entrenar o relajarse mientras esperan que comience su juego.


INTEGRANTES DEL equipo cubano de béisbol que competirá en el Clásico Mundial, son abanderados en el Palacio de la Revolución, en La Habana.

[Cubano100%]

March 5, 2006:



The Cuban snake is always looking for the spot light! No surprises here!

[Kiefer]

Cuba sent its national team on Monday to play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in a risky bid to challenge the American professional sports world with its Soviet-styled amateur system.

The Cubans, defending Olympic gold medalists, are among the favorites to top the United States at its own game in the first international baseball tournament to include Major League players.

But defections of poorly-paid players to the Major Leagues -- lured by multimillion-dollar U.S. contracts -- have hurt Cuba's team and national pride, particularly the 2002 loss of its best pitcher, Jose Contreras.

And more could defect during the 16-nation tournament that began in Tokyo on March 3 and ends in San Diego on March 20, as Major League scouts look for young talent among the Cubans ranks.

President Fidel Castro, dressed in his trademark green military fatigues, gave the Cuban team a two-hour pep-talk on Sunday night and sent them off with the Cuban slogan "Hasta la victoria siempre!" (Always until victory).

Those were the parting words of legendary guerrilla Che Guevara when he set off from Cuba to spread revolution to other countries, only to be captured and killed in Bolivia in 1967.

The Cuban squad, which includes Castro's youngest son Antonio Castro as team doctor, left Monday for Puerto Rico where on Wednesday it will play Panama.

For Castro, not a leader to shy away from risks, the tournament is a chance to poke at his longtime enemy the U.S. government, even if Cuba doesn't win.

The Bush administration, seeking to isolate what it has called "an outpost of tyranny" on its last legs, initially denied the Cubans visas to play in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

But Washington relented under pressure from the baseball world after organizers said the event could fold without Cuba.

REVOLUTIONARY SPORT

Castro's government sees the baseball rivalry with the United States as two-fisted politics by other means.

The president of the Cuban Sports Institute, Christian Jimenez, compared the players with soldiers sent to fight anti-colonial wars in Angola and other parts of Africa.

"We are convinced you will hold up our flag high defending our revolutionary sport with honor and come back like the Cuban soldiers who fulfilled important missions in Africa," Jimenez said at a ceremony.

Cuban baseball fans are worried about how well the team will compete, though. They say their team's Achilles heel is its weak pitching.

Cuba lost star pitcher Contreras when he defected during a tournament in Mexico in 2002. He was signed by the New York Yankees to a $32 million contract, before becoming an important cog in the Chicago White Sox roll to the 2005 World Series championship.

He had been earning just $20 a month in Cuba.

Defections to the United States include pitchers Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox and Hernandez's brother Livan Hernandez, who pitches for the Washington Nationals.

Among the players the scouts will focus on is Cuba's star hitter Yulieski Gourriel. The 21-year-old is the leading slugger in Cuba this season with 17 home runs.

Anti-Castro exiles in Miami have called on the Cuban team to defect, hoping for a repeat of the worst mass defection by 39 athletes and trainers during the Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico in 1993.

But when it comes baseball, a national passion in Cuba where the sport was introduced by American sailors in the 19th century, most Cubans forget politics.

Even defector Contreras is rooting for Cuba.

"I want Cuba to win. I could never represent any other country," he said last week on U.S. sports network ESPN. "That's my team."

Cuba considers defectors to be traitors, however, and their names disappear from the Cuban media as if they had never existed. Unlike Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Cuba did not allow its Major League players to play for their national team.

[Cubano100%]

Pool C notes: Cuban visit charged
Puerto Rico's Delgado ailing with elbow injury
By Tom Singer / MLB.com


SAN JUAN -- Cuba's appearance in the World Baseball Classic is an electrifying occasion, in more ways than one.
While the rest of the baseball universe anxiously awaits a glimpse of how the perennial international power stacks up against Major League-caliber competition, the Cubans' presence here is charged with political overtones.

This marks the Cuban team's first venture to Puerto Rico since 1993, and the tension between the nations' cultures was evident at the press conference that followed a Tuesday morning workout at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

A line of questioning putting the players on the spot prompted team spokesman Pedro Cabrera to interject a universal plea.

"We have dedicated ourselves so that the general public, fans on baseball, and not politics, can enjoy a sporting spectacle," Cabrera said. "It would be a pity to politicize such a great sporting event. We ask [all] to respect the spirit of the game."

A Cuban contingent of 65 -- accommodated with visas even though the country's license agreement with World Baseball Classic, Inc. called for the delegation to be limited to 45 -- arrived here Monday.

Bravo for MLB who allowed this + 200 police officers who is going to defect from dictatorship! Its sendoff from Cuba included a two-hour meeting with Fidel Castro, who may have delivered the pep talk of pep talks. "I believe that our country is here to play baseball. We will never betray our Commander," said Osmany Urrutia, Team Cuba's DH.

Well said, Urrutia. I like to see you in 10 more years to see how is your life then. :hp

Yulieski Gourriel, the 21-year-old infield wunderkind who has consented to switch from third base to second for the Classic, took a dig at the temporarily assembled squads represented other countries.

"Our baseball is not a 'for-rent baseball.' Our team plays for the love of the game," Gourriel said, "for the love of the uniform we wear, for the love we have for our country." :confused:

The Cubans will show some love to Panama when they make their Classic debut in Wednesday's 1 p.m. ET game.


• All four Pool C entries are housed at the same luxury hotel, the El San Juan Hotel, in the Isla Verde section of the city.

The Cuban team is in a different section of the hotel.


• Fans filed in through a large, orderly demonstration taking place outside the park. Against Cuba? Nope. For Puerto Rican independence.

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/images/2006/03/08/fsiHQqRJ.jpg

[cuban_aficionado]

Pool C notes: Cuban visit charged
Puerto Rico's Delgado ailing with elbow injury
By Tom Singer / MLB.com


SAN JUAN -- Cuba's appearance in the World Baseball Classic is an electrifying occasion, in more ways than one.
While the rest of the baseball universe anxiously awaits a glimpse of how the perennial international power stacks up against Major League-caliber competition, the Cubans' presence here is charged with political overtones.

This marks the Cuban team's first venture to Puerto Rico since 1993, and the tension between the nations' cultures was evident at the press conference that followed a Tuesday morning workout at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

A line of questioning putting the players on the spot prompted team spokesman Pedro Cabrera to interject a universal plea.

"We have dedicated ourselves so that the general public, fans on baseball, and not politics, can enjoy a sporting spectacle," Cabrera said. "It would be a pity to politicize such a great sporting event. We ask [all] to respect the spirit of the game."

A Cuban contingent of 65 -- accommodated with visas even though the country's license agreement with World Baseball Classic, Inc. called for the delegation to be limited to 45 -- arrived here Monday. >>>>To the USA Treausury Department, why say Cuba can't play and then give Castro's clonnies 20 more visas???

Bravo for MLB who allowed this + 200 police officers who is going to defect from dictatorship! Its sendoff from Cuba included a two-hour meeting with Fidel Castro, who may have delivered the pep talk of pep talks. "I believe that our country is here to play baseball. We will never betray our Commander," said Osmany Urrutia, Team Cuba's DH. That is sooo much B.S. !!!!!!

Well said, Urrutia. I like to see you in 10 more years to see how is your life then. :hp

Yulieski Gourriel, the 21-year-old infield wunderkind who has consented to switch from third base to second for the Classic, took a dig at the temporarily assembled squads represented other countries.

"Our baseball is not a 'for-rent baseball.' Our team plays for the love of the game," Gourriel said, "for the love of the uniform we wear, for the love we have for our country." What , what are you saying again??? Who said you are for rent?? Stop repeating what the communist instructor said.....:confused: Just play some good baseball!!!! and as your father will tell you all cubans which they can play "for rent"

The Cubans will show some love to Panama when they make their Classic debut in Wednesday's 1 p.m. ET game.


• All four Pool C entries are housed at the same luxury hotel, the El San Juan Hotel, in the Isla Verde section of the city.

The Cuban team is in a different section of the hotel.


• Fans filed in through a large, orderly demonstration taking place outside the park. Against Cuba? Nope. For Puerto Rican independence.

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/images/2006/03/08/fsiHQqRJ.jpg

The truth is that all this stuff we are hearing from the Cuban players is feed up to them by their instructors so none gets in trouble when they come back to Cuba. Is a broken record all cuban-athets have to sing everytime they go somewhere to play representing Castro's Cuba