Important figures support the initiative that seeks a Cuban Major League team in the World Classic

Unlike other failed attempts, the desire to take a team of Cuban Major League Baseball players to a World Classic seems to have strong support within the Cuban players themselves, especially some of those considered pillars of this contingent.

From Raisel Iglesias to Aroldis Chapman, there are several voices of stars from the largest of the Antilles who have voiced their desire to be part of this initiative that still has to overcome enormous obstacles to become a reality when the 2023 edition arrives.

But if any voice carries weight it is that of Yulieski Gurriel, one of the best players of his generation and American League batting champion last season, who from the Houston Astros and along with two outstanding compatriots, called to join this idea.

“Hello, my people, this is Yuli Gurriel speaking to you and I want to urge all Cuban baseball fans inside and outside of Cuba to support us in this new project of the Association of Professional Cuban Baseball Players, whose main objective is to participate in the upcoming Clásico. World Cup 2023”, expressed the Sancti Spiritus. “We need your support.”

To give life to this idea, the Association of Cuban Professional Baseball Players was created, something that has already raised hives within the island’s authorities, although it is clear that the obstacles, as on other occasions, continue to be very complicated.

According to the organizers, a letter has been sent to players belonging to the Major League roster of 40 and an invitation to prospects from the Minor Leagues and from circuits in Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean winter leagues, and the response has been very positive, like that of Aledmys Díaz, the Houston super utility.

“Greetings to all the fans inside Cuba and outside of Cuba, Aledmys Díaz here, urging them to support us in this new project,” said the Villa Clara native alongside Gurriel and Yordan Álvarez in the Houston spring clubhouse . “I’m very excited to be a part of it.”

This new project also aims to involve the great mass of exiles from Miami and the rest of the world, give a voice to Cuban players who do not have the support of a country and fill spaces that are increasingly abandoned by the authorities. of the island ball.

But the challenges remain formidable and the ACPBP is still going through a stage of exploring options before meeting with important spheres of the Major League Baseball Players Association and the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.

Despite everything, the united front of the players gives reason for hope.

“We are super happy about the project that is being carried out,” said Álvarez, one of the main figures on the rise in all of the Major Leagues. “We ask the fans to give us their support.”

And as if that were not enough, they have the approval of another great star of the Texan club.

“Support the Cubans,” said Alex Bregman.