Cesar Garcia will open Granma. Author: Abel Rojas Barallobre
BAYAMO, Granma. This city’s stadium, the ancient Martires de Barbados, will be the scene of several historic events this Wednesday at the opening of the National Baseball Series.
Namely, the official retirement of Carlos Marty Santos after 53 years dedicated to baseball is one of those cosmic events that touches the heart. He leaves the diamonds at 74, a great man, a gentleman, the last of the “old school”, the holder of six titles in Cuba (four national series, one qualifying and one elite championship), the only coach who has not lost in five matches. the final.
With all this, it would be a shame if the farewell went by without the bleachers blowing up, something possible considering the time (one o’clock) and the stormy sun these days, factors that make us think and again about the possibility that one day in the park of four-time champions of the country will again have artificial lighting.
Renner Rivero will push for the victory of the Crocodiles. Photo: Abel Rojas Barallobre
Carlos will live on March 29 with the emotion of seeing his gigantography. Humble as he was, he was initially opposed to the idea, but was convinced that it was not only a tribute to himself, but also to the complex, romantic baseball of his era.
Additionally, a giant photo of star Ernesto Guevara Ramos, a pitcher with 133 wins in 16 national series, with 20 strikeouts and over 1,200 strikeouts, will be featured. The former athlete from Niquero, former coach, now dedicated to scoring, the only known player in the national series to take over these functions.
The organizers of the opening ceremony came up with the happy idea to make a special recognition – a surprise until the last minute – to Alfredo Despaine Rodriguez, son of Contramaestra, who became a bayames and is today an icon of Granma and Cuba. Incidentally, the home run hitter will star in another transcendent event as he opens the National Series with his team, which has not happened since November 3, 2013 in Camaguey.
Horse of Horses will also receive tribute for participating in the latest World Classic, the fourth of his career. So the names of other Sorrels and Crocodiles who were present at that event will also be heard through local amplification.
As if that weren’t enough, this Wednesday we’ll see something unprecedented: four women will administer justice in the opening match. The main characters will be Yanet Moreno from Havana, who will be at home; Miroslava Kumba of Guantanamo at first base; Yalili Acosta of Granma, second; and Milagro Quiñones of Artemis in third place.
The duel between right-handers Cesar Garcia (GRM) and Renner Rivero (MAT) will begin. Interestingly, these same teams broke the ice in ’61. National Series and also pulled the curtain on the championship in an epic matchup won in seven games by Alazan.
A lot of people want other teams to reach the finals, because what is repeated sometimes gets boring. But there are those who, like fortune-tellers, assure that the people from Matanzas and Granma will once again discuss the crown. But only time and place will tell us.
Source: Juventud Rebelde