By Miguel Guerra
Rey Ordónez had extensive experience in the Major Leagues and is an authoritative voice on the subject.
Dissimilar themes are a trend these days regarding the next World Baseball Classic. Among them, it stands out the new one Concern facing the Dominican Republic team with drawbacks that affect the participation of 18 players, out of a total of 50 players shortlisted for said tournament.
The Cuba team has not been exempt from comments and controversy, especially after learning about the final roster of 30 players for the expected event. names like Frederick CepedaYordanis Samón or Guillermo Avilés, just to mention a few, have been involved in the eternal debate regarding who should be there and who should not.
Just like those players who represent us in the best baseball in the world, the Major Leagues, and made clear their refusal to wear the four-letter jersey through a Cuban Baseball Federation that represents the current dictatorship on the island.
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Apropos of the controversy, our midday stellar space on Newscast with Swingdressed up in the presence of the stellar ex-Cuban shortstop, King Ordoñezwho in addition to telling us multiple stories from his personal and sports life, expressed his opinion on the subject of Cuba and the next World Classic.
Ordoñez stood out for his great defensive ability, this talent kept him as a regular shortstop for seven years in the New York Mets, a team with which he won three gold gloves in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Later, he played with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs.
The Havana native finished his MLB career with a .976 fielding average. Between the 1999 and 2000 seasons he set a shortstop record of 101 straight games without committing an error.
Regarding his offense, in 3,115 at-bats he had 767 hits, including 12 homers, 129 doubles, and 17 triples. Additionally, he drove in 287 runs and scored 291, capping off with a .246/.289/.310 offensive line (AVG/OBP/SLG).
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What did Rey Ordoñez say about Team Cuba to the World Baseball Classic?
«After 70 years they continue with the same stupidity. Yes, I want them to win, but maybe they did that so they could play with them (Cuban Baseball Federation) and then eliminate them and say they didn’t need them, that’s what will happen. There are ten left, maybe five more will leave in 15 days,” the Cuban legend energetically commented on the participation of professional Cuban baseball players who are not linked to the government institution.
Ordoñez even added:
«To those who said “No”, I applaud them and whoever criticizes them should put themselves in the shoes of the one who is playing. I applaud them for not playing with Cuba, why? If they are always humiliating and despising them.”
«Why are they going to represent a country that does not represent them? They are always criticizing them and calling them traitors, so don’t play anything for me.
Below, you can learn more about the debate with the renowned Cuban figure:
Do you agree with the words of Rey Ordoñez? You can leave your opinion in the comment box.
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