Cuba's Baseball Team for the Americas Cup: Passion and Controversy

The announced roster for the upcoming tournament in Panama has ignited the perennial national debate, balancing statistical selection with fan sentiment.

The entire country is abuzz today with the announcement of the Cuban baseball team that will represent the nation in the first Americas Cup of the discipline, scheduled for November 13-22 in Panama.

On the island, no national team selection goes unnoticed: every name stirs passion, expectations, and, inevitably, disagreement. The eternal debate between reason and heart has been rekindled.

As with every roster call-up, some names provoke applause while others cause furrowed brows, though every player chosen has merits to wear the four letters.

According to reports, the coaching staff, led by Germán Mesa, relied on statistical indicators—both descriptive and predictive—performances against pitchers throwing over 90 miles per hour, tactical effectiveness, and the ability to adapt to different playing systems.

In other words, the selection looked beyond the National Series—a noble but irregular tournament in its quality—to bet on players with international experience, solid tools, and a proven response to high-level pitching.

This explains the inclusion of several athletes with experience in foreign leagues and versatile pitchers capable of assuming different roles within the staff. However, the absence of some names with brilliant histories and currently in good competitive form is notable.

There will always be details that fuel controversy. The call-up of four shortstops has generated comments, though it is well known that whoever masters that demanding position can perform competently in others.

It is also striking that the Las Tunas Lumberjacks, the national back-to-back champions, are not contributing players to this roster, although Roberto Sulivan Baldoquín was left out due to injury.

Fans also lament the absence of figures such as Mayabeque's Dennis Laza or Holguín's Yasiel González, both with proven skills to face any challenge and who are currently enjoying good offensive moments in the regular season.

Regarding the pitching, the composition appears balanced: arms that can start, relieve, or close games as needed. Some usual hurlers were not called, but those selected offer a mix of youth, experience, and the resources to face powerful offenses.

A Call for National Unity

Cuba will be in Group A, alongside Mexico, Curaçao, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. It is a demanding group where every game will be a test of character more than a test of big names. Now that the "favorite" tag of yesteryear no longer exists, victories must be forged on the field, not on paper.

Therefore, beyond the disagreements—inevitable in a country where everyone feels like a manager—it is time to close ranks around those who will defend the flag. Because baseball, that common language that has been a part of us since childhood, demands unity. A Team Cuba is not a constellation of stars, but a gear where each piece fulfills its function.

There will be time to criticize later, if the occasion warrants it, but now is the time to support. To think less in terms of provinces and more in terms of the nation. Because when the ball is thrown up in Panama, it will not be Matanzas, Holguín, or Las Tunas playing. It will be Cuba.