Cuba enjoys truly unique experience

Mar 20, 2006 19:43

Says semifinal hero Lazo: 'This has been delicious'
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- The look on the face of Cuba second baseman Yulieski Gourriel during his first batting-practice session at PETCO Park on Friday spoke volumes.
Standing near the batting cage in what has to be the best park he has ever set foot in, the phenom couldn't stop smiling and his wandering eyes looked more like those of a daydreaming 11-year-old than a 21-year-old national hero.

Gourriel and his teammates are one win away from winning the inaugural World Baseball Classic championship, but it's hard to tell what the infielder is enjoying more, the common taste of victory or the unique taste of Americana.

He's not the only one.

"This has been delicious," Cuba pitcher Pedro Lazo said. "Great. Fantastic. Amazing. The park, the experience, everything. I have had a great time."



Players from Cuba take part in the Habitat for Humanity event Sunday afternoon. (Ben Platt/MLB.com)

The Cuban team is staying at a five-star hotel near the park and riding every day to the field in a luxurious charter bus. Garbed in their traditional warmup gear when not in uniform, the approach to the competition is distinctly Cuban -- very business-like, almost robotic. Their approach to almost everything else is very child-like, almost refreshing.

"We didn't expect the fans in the stadium rooting for the Cubans," outfielder Yoandy Garlobo said. "We didn't know that they appreciated Cuban baseball because we were playing against Major Leaguers. Cuba has had a special place in baseball and it seems we have been able to open doors in this tournament for people to continue to give their support of Caribbean teams."

That's right. The Cuban national team, believed to be one of the most serious-minded baseball teams in any nation, is having fun under the California sun.

"This is such a great experience for the boys," said team assistant and translator Caridad Pereira. "They are absorbing everything. They are so happy. Look at their faces. I am so happy they can experience this city."

The experience for Cuba's baseball team so far has been an enjoyable one. With victories against Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Saturday's 3-1 win against the Dominican Republic, they are arguably already the top team in all of Latin America. The experience for those watching Cuba play for the first time has also been an eye-opening experience.

Just like in the Major Leagues, Cuban players laugh and joke around before the start of most games. Semi-mandatory postgame and pregame press conferences during the World Baseball Classic for other teams are semi-optional press conferences for Cuba. From the players to management, they speak when they want to speak -- no more and no less -- and it is always in Spanish.

Moreover, if it is decided by Cuban officials that the team wants to change its allotted practice time, they change it or don't have a workout at all, like they did Sunday. If the Cuban officials decide it is a good idea to visit the Habitat for Humanity project near PETCO Park like they also did Sunday, that's what they do.

During the Habitat for Humanity visit, players signed the frame of a home that will benefit a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and they seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. There were jokes, laughter and even interviews with local and national media granted.

It was fun -- in any language and any country. It's hard to blame them for being in good spirits.

"The Cuban team is feeling great," Cuba press officer Pedro Cabrera said. "The aspirations we had when we left Havana have been multiplied. Each day the spirits of the team has been lifted. We are at 100 percent and ready to play an excellent game against Japan."

It shows. On and off the field.
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