A completely unprecedented event is being organized for late July: the Industriales team will arrive in Miami to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Thousands of followers of this emblematic Cuban baseball team will be able to enjoy a reunion they have craved for years. The team’s most illustrious stars will once again put on the venerated blue jersey to celebrate a half century of existence.
Some of the 13 Industriales players—both veterans and active members—who will travel to the United States to participate in the festivities agreed to give OnCuba their impressions leading up to this event.
Rey Vicente Anglada, who was first a sublime second baseman and then a prestigious manager, said that “reuniting with teammates who accompanied you for years wearing the Industriales jersey is a real achievement. I am extremely excited about celebrating the Blues’ 50th anniversary with everybody who has contributed in one way or another to their history. Hopefully this celebration can also be held in Cuba; it would be wonderful, spectacular.”
A historic leader in stolen bases and triples, told us that “in this event, politics is not an issue. We’re all Cubans; the ones that are here and the ones that are there. The objective is, precisely, to fraternize, to unite both nations in celebrating the Industriales’ 50th anniversary.”
The excelent pitcher explain that “seeing teammates whom you haven’t seen for years is a great sensation; they’ve never abandoned the Industriales. It’s a real satisfaction, and I’m sure it will be an unforgettable moment. The Industriales are capable of uniting people.”
The Industriales’ legendary No. 17, Javier Méndez, added: “It’s a fabulous idea—look at what can be accomplished by a team, a jersey, the sentiment for a collective that you could almost say is a religion for the people of Havana. No doubt a lot of our fans are going to be delighted to see some of their most famous idols come together to celebrate the Industriales’ 50th anniversary.”
Stellar pitcher Lázaro Valle commented, “This is like a dream. I never thought something so noble could happen. Seeing people again who were with you for years, who played together with you, and who helped you cover Industriales in glory will be one of the most memorable events in the 50 years of this team’s existence.”
The incredible shortstop from Havana, also expressed his emotion over the reunion. “It’s going to be magnificent to reunite with our teammates and friends. But it would be even more magnificent to be able to do that here in Cuba, at the Latinoamericano (stadium). That would be phenomenal, to be able to do it there and to be able to do it here. In the end, we’re all from the Industriales; we all feel the same way about that jersey.”
