Hall of Fame of Cuban Western Province to be Opened

The Hall of Fame of Baseball of the western province of Matanzas will be opened here to the public in January, in the emblematic stadium Palmar de Junco, reported today managers of the institution.

The sports installation, located in Pueblo, a neighborhood of people in this city, 100 kilometers from the capital, Havana, hosted the first official baseball match of that mode in the island on December 27, 1974 and despite its longevity, it still maintains active.

Elena González, Director of the municipal local development project Palmar de Junco, explained to Prensa Latina that from 2017, annually three baseball athletes featured on its sports and social conduct, will be included in the Hall of Fame of Matanzas.

Elena said that in this first occasion, they will include the direct admission of local shortstop Silvio Garcia, who debuted in the season of 1931-32 and ended in the 1953-54, and during 19 years, spent by the rows of five teams of this nation.

The other two posts -said Gonzalez- will be among the local outfielders Wilfredo Sanchez and Rigoberto Rosique, and second baseman Felix Isasi, members of the so-called 'Musketeers of the Cuban Baseball.'

The other athlete in dispute is Gaspar 'Curro 'Perez, nicknamed 'El Héroe de Quisqueya', a pitcher for his performance on the box, and as a hitter in the World Championship in the Dominican Republic in 1969, where Cuba won the title.

Gonzalez added that umpires, chroniclers, historians, managers and other personalities may enter to the lounge and the requirement will be having is maintained not less than 10 years linked closely to field baseball, with results in their work.

He said it is intended to include in the classroom to 17 players, 15 born in Matanzas, and two who played in this demarcation, which are present in the galleries of this type in other nations.

The local development project has included the Palmar de Junco, which grass is a national monument, a tourist product of interest for foreign and national visitors.

Currently the field is the headquarters of the Academy Provincial of baseball of Matanzas, to form future members of the local senior team of Matanzas, distinguished by the uniform with stripes red and yellow, known as 'the Crocodiles.'