By Swing Completo / contacto@swingcompleto.com
This is one more example for those who spend their time justifying disappointments and desertions due to the lack of an agreement with MLB or the absolute incidence of US laws related to Cuba (blockade). Here, as so often, the responsibility does not go beyond the Cuban borders and is based above all on attention and respect above the economy.
The same Sunday that was publicly disclosed the loss of the pitcher Yosimar Cousín Another exit was also spread like wildfire, in this case a transfer of the province of another talented serpentinero. The arrival of Pedro Álvarez from Espirituan to Industriales has become a certain balm in the middle of a rosary of bad news heading to the next Series because his monticulist body has lost men like Brian Chi, Andy Rodríguez and Frank Herrera for various reasons, along with That should be added the retirement of important hitters, the suspense with his main slugger Lisbán Correa and the recent confirmation of the departure of the great prospect Cristian López.
Álvarez’s arrival at the Lions did not cause such a surprise. Since his presence a couple of years ago as a reinforcement, he had already expressed his interest in the future of wearing that uniform full time, a wish frustrated last season and that now he seems to have achieved after his disappointments in his native province.
The news caused one of the titular sports journalist from Sancti Spíritus, Elsa Ramos, to approach Pedrito, dialogue that allowed to know that the treatment received by the athlete in his territory left much to be desired. And it all started with the direction of the Gallos headed by the increasingly controversial manager Eriel Sánchez.
The explosive pitcher said that at the beginning he had requested the temporary license but that they never gave it to him and everything was very unfinished, so the next step was to request the discharge that they did finally approve. “They paid me half because I asked to leave for about 15 days. I was left without a job, without any salary, as if they forgot about me, as if I had not existed, as if I had not done anything for my province, to fight for it. team ”, he continued to express to the renowned chronicler.
Later, the athlete ruled that the reason for the leave was due to his intention to finish his studies and to be able to fix his room at home. “Several people from the government went to my house to see the conditions. It was only to make a plate of three and a half meters by two. In the end they never gave me an answer and they tricked me with that and told me things that today I don’t want to say because I no longer want my house to be fixed nor do I want them to give me anything ”.
According to Elsa, one of the most awarded sports journalists at the national level for the quality and seriousness of her work, Álvarez was working for a time with the 13-14-year-old category to have at least one salary entry, a possibility that He thanked Jorge Morel from the municipal INDER.
“I had decided not to play baseball anymore. I had given up my usual dream, I had stopped training, just running a little, doing planks and garters for my physique to be able to untrain myself ”.
It was then that the contact of certain people in Havana appeared who would remove him from that disconnection with the active game after proposing him to participate with Industriales for the next season. In this way, he could finally fulfill his desire to reach the Lions not as a reinforcement but as an official member of the most winning team in the history of the National Series.
Ramos asked him if his arrival in the Cuban capital would mean a definitive break with the Gallos, which had a clear answer in which it was shown that his problem is far from being with the team and his fans, and that his love for both it will keep an open door in the longer term future.
“I decided not to play anymore due to differences with the direction of the Sancti Spíritus team, but when the opportunity presented itself in another team, I wanted to continue playing just to continue my career, which is what I have always done. Now I have the dream of playing with the team that I like the most and have followed in the world. It is my favorite team, my parents instilled that in me and I am happy with that proposal. I just hope they give me the chance to play again ”.
Álvarez is now waiting for the definitive yes of the INDER of his province to travel to Havana and begin training with Guillermo Carmona’s troop.
“I have not done anything, I have done everything with INDER, I have gone to all the voluntary work, I have not committed indiscipline and I think they will tell me yes from the first moment. I’m just asking for help to keep playing baseball. “
The talented pitcher capable of doubling down in the roles of starter and reliever clarified that, although his dream has always been to be in Industriales, he would not have wanted to leave Sancti Spíritus and less in that way, because he loves his province. “I told a friend that if I can play with Industriales, the day I arrive in Sancti Spíritus I will be with my head in Los Gallos in the Industriales dogout because that is actually my team, the one that I carry in my heart, but several things that lead me not to play with my province and I have to go to another. I don’t want to comment on these things because I don’t like the way they say gossip in Cuban slang. I just decided not to play around here anymore ”.
Pedro also pointed out that he is owed 5 or 6 years of presence with his team and the victories that he will now give Industriales. “The fans are owed respect, always dying with them, but I hope they understand me. I will always owe everything to the Roosters ”.
At the end of the exchange with Elsa Ramos, he considered the possibility of closing his career with Sancti Spíritus. “I hope to come back when there are changes that I can play in comfortable baseball.”
Only this young monticulista with experience already in the national team, knows all the problems that have accompanied him in recent times in his sports and social life. In his case, there were reasons of force that have kept him in Cuba, but in many other cases this type of situation is the decisive impulse to take destinations that transcend the limits of Industriales or any Cuban ball team.
If Pedro Álvarez had left Cuba to try his luck in professional baseball in the United States or individually in any other league, that decision would have been motivated by the lack of an agreement, yes, but not that of the MLB, but that of the consideration and necessary care that the system as a whole continues to suffer from with most athletes. This internal blockage not of thinking that athletes deserve everything, but of prioritizing certain basic conditions to those who, within a very complex country, have to solve the same problems as the rest of a people who are provided with one of the few joys that can receive in these times. But those responsible do not quite realize the social importance of baseball and the players who still play in Cuba, which today is even more crucial.
Hopefully Sancti Spíritus does not insist on blocking Álvarez’s departure to Industriales, especially because they would be condemning him to be out of baseball or to take the same course as so many over time, including 2021 that seems to have no end in that aspect. Then do not complain or seek fault in the neighbor’s house as always happens. In the most recent edition of Cuban baseball, the work of this right-hander from Spiritus was 3-3 with 4.34 of ERA in 23 outings to the box, eight of them as a starter. His best season since his debut in 2013-14 was in the event ended in 2019 in which he had a 9-3 balance and 3.83 ERA, a performance that included him within the na team.