Aroldis Chapman had everyone talking in spring training, but this weekend he is slated to take the mound in his first official regular season game, hurling for the Louisville Bats in the International League. The Bats are the Class AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and Chapman will be on the bump on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Toledo Mud Hens.
Aroldis Chapman Set to Debut In Class AAA This Weekend, Already Forgotten Man in Cuba
Chapman’s story, and prominence in the Cincinnati sports landscape, has put a bit more focus on the world of Cuban defectors and specifically what they leave behind. In a fantastic piece by Kat O’Brien for Cincinnati.com this week, we learn that once a defector leaves Cuba, he’s gone forever. Gone, as in…forgotten.
⇥Chapman and all Cuban stars are beloved for their baseball exploits - unless or until they defect.⇥⇥⇥The tremendous pride in Cuban baseball is a major reason more players don’t defect despite the lure of fame and fortune in the major leagues.⇥⇥
⇥⇥Those who do choose to leave then are talked about only in secret. It’s as if, according to one taxi driver, “Chapman doesn’t exist. He never existed.”⇥⇥
Most of us could not imagine what it must be like, living in a political situation similar to Cuba’s – no matter what you think of our current political structure in America. Could you imagine growing up in a city and working to the point of becoming a bona fide star, then leaving to go make more money in a different country and being completely forgotten in your homeland? Think about all the videos we’ve seen of Albert Pujols or David Ortiz or Mariano Rivera (the list is endless) going back to their home country in the off-season to a hero’s welcome to provide aid and support to a younger generation. In Cuba, there’s simply no going back at all.
⇥A waiter at the upscale Havana restaurant La Piazza, whose walls are covered in baseball memorabilia, said the restaurant has pictures only of Cuban players who did not defect. In a low voice, he said there used to be a picture of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, but it was taken down after a government official grew upset.⇥In the eyes of Cuban government officials and police, any player who defects is to be erased from memory.
Per this report, the local Cubans – some of whom had their identification looked at by police for talking to a foreign reporter – don’t blame the baseball players for leaving. And how could you, when the top Cuban players are paid the equivalent of $12-$16 U.S. a month (though, to be fair, many items are rationed)? Chapman signed a six-year deal this off-season for $30.25 million. His career kicks off this weekend, and most people in Cuba will have to hear about it through tourists and other backroom whispers. I’m fairly certain they don’t get MiLB.tv down in Havana.
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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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