Cubano

Morales has killed this league. He almost broke the home run record when he hit 14 two years ago. This year he is unfired again. Kendry Morales homered and doubled in Dominican Winter League play yesterday. "Morales is 9-for-23 and has homered in four of his six games in the Dominican Republic," reports Rotoworld. "He's trying to force the Angels to open up either first base or DH for him next year." Of course, if the Angels can't re-sign Mark Teixeira, Morales may not have to do much forcing (as the Angels have known all along).

More teams after Viciedo: The Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers, among others, have all reportedly expressed interest.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 03:19 PM) Yet he hit .303 from 2002-2004 in the Cuban league. But hit .265 3 years later in the easier league. Miranda in Cuba Series AB H AVE 2B 3B HR SLU RBI W K Fielding AVE Total Bases 4 1138 343 301 70 14 57 538 205 197 242 981 Miranda spent almost 3 years in the Dominican R. waiting for his dominican papers. He did not have the name like Morales, Viciedo, Contreras to have a speedy process. Take Dereck Jeter away from baseball for 3 years and I garantee his production will decrease. This year Miranda was selected the AAA MVP. I got this from his AAA team. "Once the weather got warm, Juan Miranda (left) caught fire in Triple-A. The coaching staff picked him as their team MVP, and there were chunks of the season when he was easily Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's best hitter. His numbers in Arizona are similarly impressive. He's not nearly as good against lefties as against righties, but could make for a nice platoon. Defensively, he's fine. Not good by any means, but not terrible. You can win games with a below-average defensive first baseman, as long as he hits, and Miranda certainly hit with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 02:36 PM) Maybe if the Sox had a few more Cubans you would make the WHite Sox your favorite team instead of the Nationals. I root for the Nats for two reasons: 1. They are close to me. I dislike the O's. 2. The Nats were a major player in the cuban market back in the days. I root for the Sox now. I appreciate a lot that The Sox gave a real chance to Ramirez to play straight from Cuba at the MLB level.

QUOTE (knightni @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 06:39 PM) Cuban league is like AA ball, IMO. Japanese league is like AAA ball. I went to see Juan Miranda (Yankees) last year in Harrisburg, PA when his Trenton AA team played the Senators. I asked him the following question: Is this AA league stronger than the cuban league? He said no. The cuban league is stronger.

QUOTE (knightni @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 02:13 PM) Morales might be a good throw-in if Konerko goes to the Angels. I do not want all the cuban-white Sox because if they suck, you guys are going to get in my case. Ha, ha,ha.

As for Viciedo, his Villa Clara manager Victor Mesa was very demanding. If you made a mistake in the middle of a game, he pulled you out in the middle of an inning. It did not matter if you were home club or not, he pulled you out. Victor Mesa is known as el loco/the crazy. He was one of the best CF in post-1959 cuban baseball. Mesa is now the manager for a mexican team in the Liga Veracruzana. This league is not the main winter league in Mexico, but a second winter league. His team is in first place. Viciedo may have lost the desire to play in Cuba. his desire to leave may have affected him play. I remember that I lost interest in my medical school because I desperately wanted to leave immideately. My mind was not in Cuba anymore. Viciedo is very young. Let see if the ChiSox sign him first. Then, let see how he does in the ST. You can even send him to the minors and bring him later on. The thing about the minor is that he won't have the same support from Contreras and Ramirez.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 03:58 AM) Morales simply hasn't hit yet in his limited big league opportunities...when he has hit, he hasn't hit for nearly the power (20-25 homers with lots of doubles) projected for him and finally, his body type lends itself to being overweight. The year that Kendry hit 296, he had a month crushing the ball. He hit 500 in August. Then, Mike S. benched hit out of the blue. I wish he can get a job and let him play for a full year. He will hit more than Casey Kotchman easily.

As for him making it out of ST, let's wait. I think he can do it. Give him time to acclimate even if he struggles at the beginning.

I was maintaining the Cuban thread in Baseball Fever but I do not do that anymore. I made that list some time ago. Not all Cuban layers are penciled nor have the talent to reach MLB. During the 90’s, Cuban used aluminum bats. This affected their adjustment to the USA. Cuba changed back to wooden bats and the success of Cuban hitters have improved dramatically. Cuban hitters are now killing the ball through all level of pro-baseball in USA and winter leagues. I can give a list later of active Cuban players. As for Viciedo, he is 19 years old. I would have loved to see him in AFL to get some at bats for ST 2009. He is beyond his years for sure. He may gain more weight and he may end up in 1B/RF/DH. Who knows? The main thing about him is his bat and arm. I got him in a DVD. The main thing for Viciedo is to get used to America. The Chi Sox know how to do this and Ozzie speak his language unlike an American manager so communication is good. You have to be able to gain the trust of your manager even more so when you are know. As a Cuban, I am so thankful to the White Sox for giving Cubans a shot to compete without prejudice. Many teams labeled us minor league players and do not give us a chance to compete for a roster spot. In fair to MLB teams, Cubans defect once the MLB season is under way and team budgets and plans are already set. I went to see the ChiSox at Orioles park this season. I plan to go back even more so if young Viciedo is at the hot corner to see if I can steal an autograph. I got Alexei’s and Jose’s autographs.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 10:43 AM) I would very much like to see this done. I am hoping someone can find some scouting reports or videos of him. Where's cubano (that's his name, right?) when we need him? I saw the news in a cuban forum. I came to let you guys know. You guys are on top of the ball. Ha, ha, ha.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 09:21 AM) Ramirez was above average overall at 2B, I thought. Mental mistakes, but also made a lot of plays that many others at that position do not. Not sure how that will translate to SS, but, that was his native position. I'd be he develops into a plus defender over there (thought he probably won't be right away). Fields is definitely a big downgrade defensively from Uribe or Crede (the uninjured version), and that would be tough to watch. Expect the same mental mistakes at SS now. I prefer that Alexei stay at 2B with one year under his belt there.

Giba and Marshall

Giba

I do not know if this is the best section for this topic, but I like to get some opinions. Many cuban volleyball players have defected over the years. They play in Europe especially in Italy which has the best league. More star Volleyball players have defected than baseball stars. Right now, the cuban national volleyball team consists of many of the junior team members due to constant defections. Anyways, How this guy compare to MJ in his leaping abilities? Marshall is considered among the top two volleyball players. The other one is brazilian Giba. Leonel Marshall 50 inch vertical jump - Cuba Volleyball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKhEiAH ... re=related

Surprises... How about trading away Carlos Quentin or Alexei Ramirez? Hey, this would be a surprise.

When was first used and who was the first pitcher to throw it? Thanks,

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 14, 2008 -> 06:28 PM) I thought long and hard about marrying a Colombiana (when I lived there for one year)...but not an "Americanized" Colombiana. Muy bonita! What do you think about Venezuelan, Brazilian and Argentinian girls, lol? Isn't Eva Mendes of Cuban descent? I like her a lot. Mendes es descendiente de cubanos. Life without women is nothing. South American women are pretty. I married a woman from my Caribbean hood, a puertorrican like JLo.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Oct 14, 2008 -> 04:13 PM) Any knowledge on his offense or what type of contract would require to sign him? Basically, is there a real chance of him coming here and whats the scouting on him? He is a line drive and a contact hitter. He will give you lots of doubles. He won't steal many bases.

There are honeys every where. I am not a free agent anymore so I only look now. The first thing I learned in America was that after you married, it is cheaper to keep the wife than divorce her unless you want to live in a basement for the rest of you life.

I wrote about this guy a few weeks ago. His name is Juan Carlos Moreno. He was a gold glove SS in Cuba for the Isla de la Juventud Grapefruit Growers. He was a back up for team Cuba in WBC # 1. I do not know how much he has left, but he should be a cheap option for any team al SS or as a back up. He is going to play for the Cibao Giants (Gigantes del Cibao) in the dominican winter league. Juan Carlos Moreno, the first guy from left to right. The guy on the right is a cuban pitcher. I think he is Braves LHP Francisley Bueno, but he may be somebody else.

Two cuban soccer players defected in Virgina recently. Can the Sox sign them too? Ha, ha ,ha. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_spo..._and_reyni.html

Holguin Hounds Dimitri Camareno is in the USA. He came legally because his in-laws brought him, his wife and their son. He is debating whether or not he should stay in the USA and wait until 2009 draft or leave to a third coutnry to become free agent. He said that he throws 92 MPH with sliders, changeups and forkballs. http://elduke.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/pel...ano-pide-ayuda/ MLB policies against cubans sucks.

QUOTE (knightni @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 04:10 PM) Where are you living now, Cubano? You should come to a game and see Minoso's statue. I live in the Washington D.C. metro area. I go to the Orioles and Nats games. I root for the Nats because the Senators had a long history with cubans players. I also have several minor league teams around. I watch MLB through Direct TV MLB package and I watch cuban baseball with another dish. I can say I am lucky. The Cuban Senators http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0311/1349361.html Do you guys think cuban baseball players deserve to live like this? Look at this house: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/26/sports/b...all/26cuba.html How about those Havana Cubans? http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/hi...p100.jsp?idx=92 http://www.cubanball.com/minorlg.html History of Cuban baseball This is a very good site. The guy that mantains it is from my home state. http://www.cubanball.com/timeline.html Martin Dihigo The greatest cuban player of all time is Martin Dihigo. He could not play in the Majors because he was black. “He was the greatest all-around player I know. I say he was the best player of all-time, black or white. He could do it all.” — Buck Leonard http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=492563 Cristóbal Torriente A left-handed power hitter who excelled in both his native Cuba as well as the Negro leagues, Cristóbal Torriente starred as a center fielder for the Chicago American Giants from 1918 to 1925, leading the club to three consecutive Negro National League titles (1920 to 1922). The notorious bad-ball hitter excelled in the field as well, teaming in Chicago with Jelly Gardner and Dave Malarcher to form one of the best defensive outfields in history. Perhaps Torriente's greatest acclaim came in Cuba during the winter of 1920, when, as a member of the Almendares club, he outplayed Babe Ruth, barnstorming with the New York Giants, in a nine-game series. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506640 José Méndez Pitcher José Méndez was likely the first internationally-known Cuban baseball star. The dark-complexioned Méndez, nicknamed Black Diamond, was noted for his blazing fastball and sharp curve. John McGraw and Pop Lloyd raved about Méndez's skill on the mound. The author of a 10-inning perfect game as a member of the Cuban Stars in 1909, his career spanned from 1908 to 1926. As a player-manager with the Kansas City Monarchs, he led the Negro National League team to three consecutive pennants, from 1923 to 1925. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506634 Atanasio Perez Atanasio Tony Pérez Rigal was a fixture on Cincinnati's Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s. A native Cuban, he left a job in a Havana sugar cane factory to sign with the Reds' organization. In 1967 he notched the first of seven 100-RBI campaigns, concluding his career with 1,652 RBI over 23 major league seasons. Respected for his clutch hitting, he belted three home runs in the 1975 World Series, including a key two-run shot in Game Seven, one of two World Championships he earned. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=120404 Alejandro Pompez The son of Cuban immigrants, Alejandro Pompez owned the Cuban Stars of the Eastern Colored League, and later the New York Cubans of the Negro National League. Following the demise of the Negro leagues, Pompez was hired as a scout for the New York and San Francisco Giants, where for 25 years he worked to open the door for Caribbean players to enter the major leagues. He helped sign future stars such as Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and the Alou brothers. His expertise on African-American baseball history was confirmed in 1971 when he was asked to serve on the Hall of Fame's Committee on Negro Leagues. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506635 Minnie Minoso and Luis Tiant should be in the HOF.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) And I would imagine for people who are not familiar with a country having a couple of countrymen praise a certian organization would help a lot. You know Contreras and Ramirez are going to rave about the Sox. Contreras especially should have good things to say after his nightmare in NYC. Don't forget the Cuban Comet Minoso! Why this guy is not in the HOF?