Cuba’s catcher becomes the first player to leave the national team during a World Baseball Classic
Iván Prieto, Cuba’s bullpen catcher, didn’t get on the plane with the rest of the team on Monday to return to Cuba. He’s the first player from the island to desert during the tournament
Cuba’s national team returned to the island after their 14-2 loss against Team USA in semifinals. The team had its best result in tournament over the last 17 years, but its pitching couldn’t stop Trea Turner and the rest of the US lineup.
First Cuban deserter during a World Baseball Classic
But not all of the players returned home on Monday. One of the team members escaped from the hotel Sunday night and became the first Cuban player to desert the team in the history of the tournament.
Looking to play professionally in the United States
Reports from Miami claim the team’s bullpen catcher didn’t get on the airplane with the rest of the team that returned to Havana Monday morning. Supposedly Prieto will now try to find an MLB team that will pick him up as he tries to make his way through the ranks in the United States.
Some Cuban fans were surprised when Prieto was only given a spot on the team as a bullpen catcher, considering he is one of the best at his position in Cuba. The Cuban press have highlighted his defensive skills and batting prowess, so it came as a surprise when Lorezno Quintana, Andrys Pérez and Ariel Martinez were called up before him.
Tension in Little Habana
The semifinal game between Cuba and Team USA was sold out and the atmosphere was electric as supporters from both teams cheered on their teams. But, the poltics on the Caribbean island were not ignored by the fans, who at one point began to chant “libertad” and a protester ran across the field with a banner that read “Freedom for the Cuban prisoners of July 11.”
It is well known that Miami has a large population of Cuban immigrants, the large majority of which are strong detractors of the Castro family and the island’s politics since the revolution in 1959.