Guillermo Garcia. Photo: Ismael Francisco / Cubadebate.
This Friday morning, two of the best talents in Cuban baseball stamped their signature on various documents to formalize a professional contract for the first time in their careers. In this way the super sonic launcher from Pinar del Río Frank Abel Álvarez and Granmense slugger Guillermo Garcia will be part, starting next season, of the Chunichi Dragons organization, in the Professional League of Japan.
“For all athletes, signing a professional contract is a very important achievement, it is something that gives great satisfaction. Personally, I am super happy with everything that is happening with my sports career because it is a challenge and a goal that I have to meet, “said the tough batter sorrel when approached by Cubadebate and Radio Habana Cuba, minutes after the hiring protocol , held in the Adolfo Luque room of the Latin American stadium.
At just 19 years old, this Bayamo native was already in the sights of the patio technicians when he was released by the Cuban Federation of this sport to join a list of 34 athletes that was delivered to Major League Baseball (MLB ) for a possible hiring, until the agreement was frozen by the administration of then US President Donald Trump.
Two years later, upon being chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs of the last National Series where his Granma team was proclaimed champion, demonstrated its talent and attracted the attention of Asian scouts, who did not delay in requesting their services.
“They noticed me in the playoffs because of the strength and magnitude of my hits, and especially because of the timing of the hits. The playoff is something that is a lot of pressure and tension, they realized that I have hot blood, strength, and intelligence to face the challenges, ”he says.
“I never thought of being the MVP of those playoffs, I only had in mind to help the Alazanes to be champions, but when I heard the news I was very happy as well as my family that has always supported me throughout my career,” he adds.
Guillermo Garcia. Photo: Ismael Francisco / Cubadebate.
At that time This right-hander who stands on the left-handed batter’s box, shocked everyone by compiling from 39-19 (487 Ave) in all 11 semifinal and final challenges, including three tubeyes and four homers, with 17 RBIs, in addition to deciding the championship in his last at-bat.
These days, the also called 3G by the initials of his name and surname, has been communicating with Alfredo Despaigne, another chestnut slugger hired by those distant lands.
“I have spoken a lot with Despaigne, he is like another coach for me and I feel tremendous satisfaction that this is the case. When he was here he helped me a lot in training and when he found out about my contract he called me and told me to come forward, that baseball is strong because of the rigor of training, discipline and because of its different culture, “he says.
Before leaving for the land of the Rising Sun in January to fulfill his one-year contract, where he will have the possibility of joining the 70-player roster at any time, This Bayamian will fulfill his duties as first baseman for the Cuba sub 23 team that will participate in the I Junior Pan American Games, in Colombia, and is immersed in training for said event.
The sad part of the story is that for the moment we will not be able to enjoy his connections in our domestic championship, which will be a serious blow to his team Granma’s aspirations to revalidate the national title. At the end of our meeting, he did not want to say goodbye without first dedicating a few words to the fans of its terroir.
“I want to thank the fans of Granma very much for all the support they have given me during this time that I was with the team and I want to tell them that I will always be a chestnut. Anytime I get from there, if I have to play ball with the team, I will. From a distance of course I will be supporting you in everything you need always “
Guillermo Garcia. Photo: Ismael Francisco / Cubadebate.
See also:
Arde Bayamo: Granma champion of Cuban ball! (+ Photos and video)
.
