It was possible! The dream of many became a reality this Sunday when the Leñadores (Lumberjacks) beat the Vegueros of Pinar del Río in the fifth game of the final, to become three-time Cuban champions, two in a row, and for the first time at home. Jean Lucas Baldoquín's home run marked the beginning of the celebrations on what appeared to be just another Sunday in a city with few joys.
At the Julio Antonio Mella stadium, the explosion at-bat of the team from Las Tunas erased the hopes of the return trip to Western lands. Not one more day, the action ended today thanks to the two-run home run of the youngest of the Baldoquín brothers. Sunk by the blow of the previous inning, those led by Alexander Urquiola succumbed with the 27th out, again on the arm of Alberto Pablo Civil.
With his usual modesty, and the conviction of improving himself through constant work, Abeysi Pantoja also burst into the history of baseball in these parts by becoming the most successful manager, both in terms of the number of titles and victories in the discussion for first place. Pantoja, still attached to his mechanisms to lead his team to bat as if their lives depended on it, has also learned to lead a team of dissimilar leaders, amid a generational change that keeps them within the elite, while a promising future is foreseen. Without the recognition that he really deserves, but with the results in his favor, glory reaches the native from Jobabo once again.
Yosvani Alarcón's season, close to his four decades, can only be summed up with the Most Valuable Player award in the postseason. The number 11 of the Lumberjacks proved to be a fearsome hitter, although in the eyes of those who decide he remains invisible. If in the regular calendar, he marked the rhythm of a lineup that debuted the post-Dánel Castro era, Yosvani became the ideal heir and this is demonstrated by the record of 30 hits in the playoffs, tied with Yoelvis Fiss. From San Antonio, Jobabo, the catcher has known how to reinvent himself to make veteran status a virtue and drive his opponents to despair with his hits.
The stands lit up the atmosphere and the trophy took on the colors of green and red while the streets, little by little, also perceived the warmth of a team like the people of the Balcón de Oriente: humble, hard-working, and eager to show how much it is worth. From the “enchanted forest” where the dreams of balls and strikes are forged, the caravan left, with the medals on their chests, pride in the skies, and a crown with enough brightness to illuminate every neighborhood in the city.
Faces of various ages, the most genuine expressions of joy, the accompaniment of mascots, certain divine providences, and the inventiveness of Cubans emerged to applaud the passing of the monarchs. The heroes on the ground showed their utmost humanity as they carried the scepter with outstretched arms to pay tribute to the fans who give meaning to the word loyalty and in many cases become family.
The harmony of the conga or the simple sound of the brass guided the route through the main avenues until reaching the Buena Vista Tank, where the crowd flooded the place waiting for a few words with their champions. In the heights, the triumphant condition of the people from Las Tunas colored the scene. According to what some players predicted, 24 hours will not be enough for the green and red celebrations.
