By SwingCompleto / contacto@swingcompleto.com
After several weeks without Cuban baseball having to regret losses, this Thursday there was a new death as a result of the great disease that has afflicted Cuba and the rest of the world in the last year and a half, and that in this case directly concerns to the Gurriel family.
It is about the former recipient from Spiritus Yoanni Delgado who, after struggling for several days, finally gave way before the consequences left by the virus with just 41 years of age.
A youth World Cup player in the 2000 tournament and a member of the Spiritus teams for a decade, Delgado came to be considered at the time as one of the main talents in his early years since he debuted in the 2002 season in which the Roosters discussed the national title against Holguín.
Left-handed hitter with a great physical complexion, the former number 17 of the Yayabera teams was the son of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic champion, the also masked José Raúl Delgado, uncle in turn of the legendary Lourdes Gurriel, precisely the father of the Yunieski brothers. Yuli and Yunito Gurriel.
Precisely the oldest of them published a very meaningful post on his official Facebook profile that immediately counted on the reply of hundreds of people between comments and likes. Yunieski and Yoanni were teammates before starting their work in National Series, when in the minor categories they integrated the squads of their province and in the aforementioned Youth World Cup held in Canada under the direction of Víctor Mesa, where that team finished in third Market Stall.
“Cousin I’m going to miss you, I don’t know whether to cry, laugh, I would never be prepared for a news like this and even less being away from you. Sorry if I wasn’t there to protect you like we always did from each other. I will miss you. Rest in peace, ”wrote the eldest of the Gurriel brothers.
The same happened with Yuli and Lourdes Jr. who are currently participating successfully in the Major League Baseball season and who for days had been asking for strength so that their cousin could get ahead.
Unfortunately, the native of Yaguajay could not stabilize his performance in the Cuban classics and justice could not be done as a starter within the Gallos. In the beginning, he showed his tremendous power by hitting several huge hits, including two in the postseason against Pinar del Río and Holguín.
Sancti Spíritus has been one of the provinces most affected by this virus in recent weeks, and Delgado’s death became the first of a known player within the territory, although at the national level there have already been several who have said goodbye for the same situation.
Cases such as Reinaldo Costa, Giraldo González and Vicente Llano from Pinar del Río, plus Omar Carrero Jr. and Juilo Mantilla from Avila have mourned many and Cuban baseball in general. Also respect in this regard for the families and friends of executives who are part of the sad list such as Higinio Vélez and Ernesto Reinoso.