Posted on 12/21/2005 10:55:23 AM PST by JZelle
A group of Cuban major leaguers will meet tomorrow with Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart to discuss forming a team to play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March. Diaz-Balart, Florida Republican and a native of Cuba, declined to identify the players but said they have enough for every position, plus a manager. "Cuban players have rights, too," Diaz-Balart said. "They are organizing and want to play together as a team." The issue of Cuban players in the tournament -- a World Cup-style competition that is being heavily promoted by Major League Baseball and the players union as a historic event -- has become a point of contention. A group of congressmen from South Florida, including Diaz-Balart, successfully lobbied the Bush administration to deny Cuba a permit that would have allowed its national team to play in the United States during the tournament, which will be held March 3-20 in the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan. Under an edict by Cuban president Fidel Castro, players who have defected from or are of Cuban descent but were born in America cannot play for the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic. Diaz-Balart said that policy is unfair to those players, and he strongly criticized MLB and the union for supporting Castro's policy. "These Cuban players are the only ones in the major and minor leagues who can't play for their country of origin," Diaz-Balart said. "The players union, which is supposed to be representing these players, is just following the company line of Major League Baseball, which in turn is doing what Castro wants. That is a sick policy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Fidel has'em all; always had; always will. He WILL live to be 120 years old.
The State Dept should allow the Cuban team to come to U.S., but with the only players being allowed in are the jailed dissidents and journalists and make a big press conference announcing the team roster.
But, let the Cuban exiles also play and force Castro's hand. If the exiles play, Castro will not let the Cuban Nationals play.
Let the exiles play
A free Cuba team would poke Castro in the eye.
I hope someday to see a Cuban team in one of the Major Leagues.
it kinda sucks.
If Castro wasn't an Arse they would have gotten whatever paperwork that was needed filed in time.
I think they should let the exiles play. that would be great.
the Cuban national team isn't going to play as it stands right now anyway.
The Cuban national team would get smashed by Major Leaguers. They're darned good against the college athletes, though.
Let 'em play baseball. This Cuba boycott stuff is getting ridiculous.
Yes, but that is because 'we' (the USA) are not allowing them to. That smacks of sour grapes & politics, and makes us out to be the bad guys (in some peoples eyes). I think we should say that in the spirit of sportsmanship, we will welcome BOTH the Cuban exiles and the Cuban National Team (CNT).
If the CNT is allowed to play, I guarantee there would be defections.
This was a no-brainer for Castro, and for the organizers of the tourney, too. They don't want "controversy". I hope they change their minds, but I don't know. It'll also be interesting to see what Chavez does. No doubt he will want to avoid being upstaged by Castro.
Get your flak jacket on.
"The Cuban national team would get smashed by Major Leaguers. They're darned good against the college athletes, though."
Thay didn't have much trouble against the Orioles a few years back. Of course the Orioles haven't fielded a major league team in years.
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