The Tampa Bay Rays have arrived in Cuba for their historic game against the Cuban National Team, gathering at Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano for batting practice.
The Rays’ historic arrival in Cuba also included an emotional family reunion
#Video: Tampa Bay Rays practice in Havana ahead of their symbolic game against Cuba's national team - @tdemiguel_A… pic.twitter.com/uywZwgz75Q
— 757Live Cuba (@757LiveCU) March 21, 2016
#Rays @ChrisArcher22 playing catch with Diego Lopez, 9, at workout. #RaysInCuba pic.twitter.com/tfLFmPnBGW
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 21, 2016
The team was accompanied to Cuba by commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB dignitaries including Derek Jeter, Luis Tiant and José Cardenal. Also present are several active players who defected from Cuba, among them José Abreu and Rays minor leaguer Dayron Varona.
Varona arrived in the U.S. in 2013 with the expectation that it might be many years before he was able to see his family in Cuba again. On Saturday, he received permission from the Cuban government to join the trip with the Rays, who signed the outfielder in May. In Havana, Varona was greeted by his sister and a niece.
Emotional moment last night in Cuba as TB minor leaguer Dayron Varona is reunited w/ family he hasn't seen in 3 yrs. pic.twitter.com/FtJIBo2U0N
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) March 21, 2016
After 3 years apart, @DayronVarona is reunited with his family in La Habana. #RaysInCuba pic.twitter.com/Bw3sUvWMxK
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 21, 2016
The Rays will play the Cuban National Team at the Estadio Latinoamericano on Tuesday.
Stay tuned to DRaysBay for more updates.
