The US and Cuba might have reached a deal to restore diplomatic ties, but there was no sign of warming relations during their baseball clash at the Pan American Games on Sunday.
The preliminary round game, which the US won 5-2, came less than two weeks after the nations formally agreed to restore diplomatic ties as of July 20, fulfilling a pledge made in December last year.
POLITICAL HOSTILITIES
Photo: EPA
Games between the long-time baseball rivals always draw interest given the political hostilities and the fact Cuba have lost many prospects and top players who fled their nation to seek contracts with MLB clubs.
“It goes back and … it is becoming more and more pronounced and understandably so,” US manager Jim Tracy said about the rivalry. “There are some pretty good players that have made their way over [from Cuba] to the United States and are playing in the major leagues.”
“They are trying to make a statement as to the type of baseball they play in their country and we are very, very proud of what we do. So that being said, it is going to enhance the rivalry, there is no question about it,” he added.
Cuba have dominated baseball at the quadrennial games since the first tournament in 1951, winning 12 of the 16 titles, including every one between 1971 and 2007.
However, after a stunning loss at the hands of the US in 2011, which forced Cuba to settle for a bronze medal — their worst finish at the Pan American Games since 1959 — Cuba are out to reclaim a title they recognize as part of their fabric.
PLENTY OF SUPPORT
They had plenty of support on Sunday, as a rowdy group of Cuban supporters dominated the 4,000-seat ballpark in Ajax, a Toronto suburb, and their red, white and blue flags provided a patriotic backdrop down the right field line.
Cuba’s supporters were vocal throughout the game, even as their side fell behind early when US shortstop Andrew Parrino opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the first inning.
However, Cuba responded in the second when Raul Gonzalez drove in two runs with a hard shot to left field.
Tyler Pastornicky restored the US lead with a two-run double in the sixth inning before the US added another run in the eighth.
“It’s a rivalry. You hear about it. You come over here to Team USA and that is what they tell us. They got a lot of good players down there and it is kind of what it is, but we got good players, they got good players and it is always heated games. We always play hard,” Pastornicky told reporters.
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