Ariel Pestano knew the moment would come sooner rather than later, but he did not expect it to be now, and least of all because a childhood illness: apparently a late chickenpox took him out of Cuban national team to the 3rd World Baseball Classic (WBC). Well, the chickenpox, his age and Victor Mesa…
Just a month ago, in a break from the sessions of Cuban Parliament, Pestano, who was a deputy by then, told me his main goal was to return to the Classic, in whose first edition he impressed everyone who had never seen him play with his skills, "he is like a short-stop behind the plate, “commented a broadcaster on ESPN.
However, what was less taken into account to leave him out of the team was indeed his abilities with the mitt, because sources close to the Cuban Baseball Federation assure that Yulexis la Rosa and Frank Camilo Morejon were seeded, and that the dilemma was to choose between Pestano or Eriel Sanchez.
This decision wasn´t favourably received in Pestano´s hometown, Villa Clara, where his marginalization is seen as a low blow to a man has been Cuban best catcher in the last 20 years, and also an undisputed member of Cuban national team.
But the saddest thing is that many people consider this decision was influenced by personal grudges; no one forgets his clashes with Victor, who was his manager several seasons ago and even, benched him in a playoff for ignoring the signs of the dugout.
Victor says it was a collective decision of the technical staff, and highlighted the undeniable quality and expertise of his former teammate in the latest titles grabbed by Villa Clara, but he tacitly included Pestano among the culprits of Cuba´s repeated defeats in the international tournaments.
Such criteria disconcerted the catcher, who has been in the Cuban national team since he was a junior class. "I am surprised, disappointed, speechless, in a low mood, because I’m very healthy, I think I´m even at my peak, "he said.
In fact, he is already healed of the illness that took him away of the Cuban National Series, one of the alleged reasons for his exclusion. And the argument of his poor performance doesn´t convince him either because he is still among Cuban best defensive catchers, and with Yordanis Alarcón out due to indiscipline, only Eriel surpasses him in hitting.
This is not something new in Cuban baseball. Other ancient stars suffered this sad circumstance such as Victor himself: they are told they are going to be part of the team, and suddenly they are left aside, without an explanation. At least Pestano recognizes that Jorge Fuentes and Higinio Velez, members of the Cuban Baseball Federation had the courtesy to phone him half an hour before the roster of the team was made public.
"It’s a tough time , but I am not of those who think that everything ends one day, I´ll keep fighting as always, "emphasized Pestano, disciplined, but wounded in his pride. Moreover, although Cuba has until February 20th to make changes in its roster; neither the catcher nor his followers want him in the final team, for moral reasons: no one likes being treated as second best…
Regarding the Cuba team registered for the 3rd WBC, Pestano appreciated the inclusion of new faces, and "I hope it works" he said regarding Victor´s experiment, who puts in risk his position with a daring call, but no one can deny it’s very of his own. And that´s a step forward in a manager of Cuban national baseball team.
What worries me the most is the reality-show atmosphere created with this situation, with Victor acting as Mourinho and Pestano performing like hip hop singer Osmany García, generating.
Sympathy when many clamored for his retirement long time ago. But we are in Cuba, and for us baseball is more than a sport, and we are not willing to understand certain matters … And we neither forgive shady deals nor vendettas …
