Cuban professional baseball players from the American teams Astros Houstonthey asked their fans for support for the Association of Professional Cuban Players (in English Association of Cuban Professional Baseball Players, ACPBP), which was created in March in Miami.
Professional Cuban baseball players want to compete in the World Baseball Classic with an independent team that represents the people of Cuba and with which they can play again defending the colors of their flag.
“I want to urge all fans of Cuban baseball, inside and outside of Cuba, to support us in this new project of the Association of Professional Cuban Players whose main objective is to participate in the upcoming 2023 World Classic. That is why we need your support,” said Yuli Gurriel to his followers on Instagram.
The 10 of the Houston Astroswas accompanied by the Cubans Aledmys Diazteam shortstop, left fielder Yordan Alvarez and the American Alex Bregman (Third base) as “luxury guest”.
Also the star closer and Los Angeles Angelsthe Cuban guy Raisel Iglesias He asked his fans to join in commitment to the ACPBP. “Support to see if we professional baseball players can make a team and participate in the next World Classic 2023,” he said.
Another Cuban Major League Baseball player who asked his fans to support the association is Aroldis Chapmanpitcher of the Yankees de New York. In a message shared this Sunday on his Instagram profile, he assured that they only want Cuba to be well represented in a Clásico, something that the island’s teams have not achieved for a long time.
“We want to lead a great team and be able to represent our people, our flag, the Cubans who are inside and outside of Cuba. We only ask you to support us,” Chapman told his followers.
The ACPBP was officially recognized in Miami at the middle of March. It was presented as an association at a press conference at the well-known Versailles Restaurant and since its inception it has been defended as a great opportunity for Cuban professional baseball athletes who have never been able to play representing Cuba again.
The Association could fulfill the dream of many Cuban players in exile and also that of the baseball fans inside and outside the island, because it would be an MLB star team with great chances of winning a Clásico.
However, for this project to materialize, they must first overcome bureaucratic challenges, build and train a strong teamand have the acceptance of the MLB and the Players Union to be able to intervene independently in the 2023 Classic.
The ACPBP is led by Mario Fernandez and has the support of important figures of Cuban professional baseball, in exile.
Initially there was a lack of knowledge about what the functions of the association would be and this led to one of the most important Cuban figures in the MLB, the Cienfuegos José Dariel Abreu (Pito Abreu) will not be in favour. However, after conversations with members of the ACPBP rectified its position and gave its support.
The Association will not only work to bring the independent team of Cuban baseball players to the 2023 World Baseball Classic. It will also work to unite the athletes, since another of its purposes will be to unite the exiled players in events and veterans’ games, as well as participate in series against stars from other leagues around the world.
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