Team Cuba catcher Ivan Prieto defected to the United States during the World Baseball Classic. Prieto reportedly did not return home to Cuba on Monday following the team’s 14-2 loss to Team USA.
Prieto reportedly did not return home to Cuba on Monday following the team’s 14-2 loss to Team USA in the baseball tournament’s semifinal game in Miami on Sunday, making the bullpen catcher the first baseball player to defect from Cuba during a World Baseball Classic tournament.
Per @YordiMLB, Ivan Prieto left the Cuban National Team last night prior to the team returning home from Miami this morning. He is now the first ever player to leave Team Cuba during a World Baseball Classic. pic.twitter.com/a5xpsy8VFLCUBAN EXPATRIATES PROTEST CASTRO AND COMMUNISM AT WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC SEMIFINALCuban exile sources noted they received confirmation from Prieto’s home province of Holguin that he did not return back to Cuba, a report noted.
On Sunday, while the game was underway, Cuban expatriates gathered outside Miami's loanDepot Park to protest the regime and communism plaguing the nation they struggled to escape.When asked about the protests, Cuba team manager Armando Johnson said,"We're just here for baseball, for the sport." “Everyone has his or her way of thinking," Johnson said."We are on the field, and we come here just to play baseball and the sport. That’s what we wanted to do here."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cuban baseball player defects after team's loss to USA in World Baseball ClassicIvan Prieto Gonzalez, who served as Team Cuba's bullpen catcher during the World Baseball Classic, defected after missing his flight back to Havana in Miami on Monday.
Read more »
Japanese high school baseball players discouraged from using World Baseball Classic star's celebrationLars Nootbaar has become a fan favorite for his pepper-grinder celebration but the move has been discouraged in Japan's high school baseball circuit.
Read more »
Cuban Baseball Player Defects After World Baseball ClassicA Cuban baseball player failed to show up at Miami International Airport as his team flew out of the country Monday.
Read more »
Trea Turner's eighth inning grand slam puts Team USA in World Baseball Classic semifinalsThe United States was on the brink of elimination, but on an 0-2 pitch, Trea Turner launched a grand slam that proved to be the game-winner over Venezuela.
Read more »
Trea Turner, Team USA crush Cuba to reach World Baseball Classic finalMIAMI – How strong is Team USA’s lineup of All-Stars? Well, its No. 9 hitter, Trea Turner, is turning the World Baseball Classic into a personal showcase, hitting two more homers to lead a rout of …
Read more »
Team USA Returns to World Baseball Classic Title Game With Rout of CubaTeam USA is one win away from a second straight World Baseball Classic title after crushing Cuba on Sunday.
Read more »