Cuban Independents

“Forgetta bout Malleta”, something I surely won't and hopefully the small faithful segment that supported the Ottawa Champions in 2016 won’t either. That was the refrain from a passionate group of Cuban-Canadians who recognized the irony in seeing Alexander Malleta, playing for Ottawa in what will likely go down as a historical cultural change face off against the Cuban National team. Malleta now 39, a veteran of close to 20 years in the Cuban Series Nacional and many international tournaments for Cuba can be seen in a larger than life image on the teams tour bus. That same tour bus which apparently broke down between Quebec City and Ottawa, forcing the Cuban Nationals to arrive late for their first game in a 3 game series, faulty infrastructure and loose time guidelines, is there anything more Cuban?

Malleta comes across as a stoic and polished, yet frequently cracks a wide smile, still fit, likely looking many years younger than he actually is. Also joining the Ottawa Champions was Donal Duarte from Pinar Del Rio, a close rival, both geographically and in the standings to Malleta’s Industriales of Havana. Duarte is a few years younger at 33 with a more playful demeanour, outwardly demonstrative with a latin flair perhaps more emblematic of the Cespedes and Puigs of the world. As a casual observer they would appear to be a bit of a Cuban Odd Couple.

I had the chance to meet Malleta in passing during prior trips to Cuba, my local Havana contact had accompanied me to Estadio Latino Americano and introduced me to a few of the players. They politely shook hands, both of us likely thinking that paths would never cross again, even though it seemed as if every trip at least one player became part of my consisciousness and I would sooner than later take note of them on North American soil.

How many coincidences does it take to make a trend? And when would I start listening to my Cuban baseball insiders to aid in my fantasy baseball draft. My first trip to Cuba was in 2012 and everyone in a small town called Cienfuegos raved about a player they called “Pito”, a massive man especially by Cuban standards who it seemed was playing at a different level than the competition. What could that translate into if he could ever step into a Major League batters box. As it turns out, quite a bit, as that player turned out to be 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu. Also on that team were Yoan Moncada and Erisbel Arruebarrena, who both have made it states side, Erisbel proving that scouting international players is not an exact science, while Moncada is one of the youngest players to get out and sits as one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

Trying to reconcile talent levels of different leagues is a fools errand, especially when Cuba an island of just over 11 million people sustains their league of 16 teams based purely on homegrown talent. It is statistically incredible the impact that the recent defectors have had, this has had an impact on the Cuban Series Nacional as well, baseball talent is not infinite, but even more incredible is the amount of talent that didn’t get a shot. Alexander Malleta is likely one of those players, and thus him being loaned to play on North American soil is in ways a reward for a lifetime of dedication to the National passion of Cuba and in others bitter sweet in not getting to chase the dream of playing at the highest level and the riches that come as a reward for that success.

2015 saw easing of diplomatic tensions between Cuba and the United States, a trade embargo which in ways is a convenient crutch for product scarcity and in others a political lever used by the Cuba regime, was working towards dissolution. Cuba produces a few products that the world wants, two of these are cigars and ball players. MLB and the Cuban Baseball Federation have yet to hammer out an agreement in regard to player movement, thus in ways the unions that the Cubans have formed with Japanese, Mexican and the Can-am League are both historic and perhaps a framework for the future. 

Cuban locals have a common refrain of “That’s Cuba”, it is used to explain the fact that often you can’t explain many things. Why is this available and this not, why is this freedom in place and this one not. There is rumour of suppression of information via direct censorship and limited access beyond official government media sources, yet information finds a way in and makes the rounds. When a player defects he is persona non grata officially, yet people learn of the exploits and are proud of their countrymen. Cuba is truly in transition, yet make no mistake about it the regime still holds a strong grasp on everything.

The fear of players defecting is still very real, and undoubtedly this was a key factor in who is allowed to play overseas and who made the final roster for the tour of the Can-Am league. This usually means that older players who aren’t feared as flight risks are more likely to get the pass, however, even this is no guarantee that Cubans won't be lured by the highest level of baseball on the planet and again the staggering riches which can accompany success at this level.

 2015 also saw Yuniesky Gurriel and Alexei Bell spend the summer in Quebec City playing for the Capitales. Yuniesky the eldest of baseball royalty the Gurriels, Lourdes Sr. a legendary player, coach and Cuban baseball stalwart. Lourdes Jr. or Yunito an early 20′s raw athlete with the tools to play shortstop or really anywhere on the diamond, and Yulieski (loaned to Yokohama of the Japanese league)now 33 but considered by many to be the best player still on the island. Yuniesky would win the Can-am batting title and Bell now 32 one of only a handful of players to hit 30 home runs in a Cuban season showed glimpses of the talent that if he had gotten stateside many scouts think he would have led this Cuban infusion. Rewarded for their service to Cuban baseball, yet one year later all but Yuniesky have made their way to the states, Bell signing a minor league pact with the Texas Rangers, Yulieski making his debut with the Houston Astros this summer and Yunito waiting to become a full fledged free agent in October at which point the bidding might set records.

The Cuban Federation at this juncture is almost the strict parent of a wayward teenager that can sneak out their bedroom window at night to experience the life their parents have warned them about, the only difference being, you won't be let back in the house in the morning. If you make it, you can buy a house that will put your parents to shame, if you don’t though, which is more likely it will be a long time before you see your family again. This is the decision that faces potential defectors, add in the seedy underbelly of human traffickers preying on this desire and taking a hefty fee to mule the players out and the Cubans may not be completely motivated to open the doors for fear of mass exodus.

I met with the Ottawa Champions brass in the spring of 2016 to discuss my Cuban experiences and the potential for some video projects revolving around the National team visit, and was granted some access to the team while on the field and in the dugout. I picked up the vibe that there was a palpable concern over defections and that this tour in many ways was a litmus test for future endeavours. I thus wasn’t sure what the entire vibe would be when I showed up to film on June 17th.

There is no doubt my lack of Spanish skills act as a barrier to delving further into Cuba and the stories there in, however 90% of the message is non verbal, and it is also helps to have a gallery of my photos from my journeys, especially when many of the players on the National team are the subject. I wanted to be respectful, and had broken the ice slightly with Malleta, having a brief broken conversation showing a photo where we had met and had a mutual Cuban friend. As he made the rounds with his countrymen, National and Havana teammates I acted as a personal photographer, later connecting via social media to share these. The mood seemed to loosen, at points the players even slapping 5 with me after a big play. The only regret being that I couldn’t build a more personal connection, but shared some business cards and for many the photos I have shared are the first professional action shots of themselves they have had access to.

The crowds for the weekend were robust, many from the local Cuban community coming out and setting up their own percussion section behind the visitors dugout. In many ways Cuba had come to Ottawa, and although similar to the players, reserved at first they seemed to perk up anytime I made sure they knew my camera was on them. The Ottawa Champions took 2 of 3 in the series and reports are this didn’t please the Cuban Federation, however this perfectly aligns with the consideration of defection influencing the roster selection and the overall dilution of talent caused by the previous defections. From Ottawa the team venture through the rest of the circuit and in New Jersey these concerns became reality as reports are that Lazaro Ramirez didn’t return to the team. Ramirez of the Villa Clara Orangemen was one of the younger players and likely one of the truer prospects, it will be interesting to chart and see if his name comes up in Major League circles once he is able to establish residency outside of Cuba and go though the free agency stream.

I attempt to get to Cuba at least once a year and I am seeing incredible change each trip, the biggest is the digital revolution brought on by the increasing access to the internet via “WEE-FEE” hotspots. Large outdoor parks resembling the recent North American trend of Pokemon Go, except these Cubans are plugging into the outside world for the first time, and surprisingly many are seeing my videos and staying up to date on the exploits of their country men. It truly is a small world, but I will be more intrigued to see the response from Cuban officials, intellectually they know their power is slipping but with it also goes their control and 50 plus years of Cuban identity.

The Champions would go on to win the Can-Am Championship series vs The Rockland Boulders, Malleta and Duarte were important cogs, playing steady defence with some timely hits. Their numbers won't blow you away, which might cause some to question what the hype is about and whether or not the Cuban Series is over rated. Perhaps it is and this perhaps proves that baseball culture is universal and we have more in common with Cuba than you might suspect, in that scouting is an inexact science and no player has yet to defeat time. However, if nothing else I hope this opens the doors for future tours, talent and cultural exchanges. 

Oh and I won't “Forgetta bout Malleta” hopefully I will see you in Havana in the winter amigo.