Tampa Bay Rays staying away from politics on trip to Cuba
The body of water stretching from Havana to Florida's southern coast is often referred to as the Caribbean's largest cemetery.
It is filled with the corpses of those trying to escape Cuba in search of freedom, the narrative says. Those who failed to survive comprised the gamut of society on the island, including talented baseball players looking for riches.
Metaphorically speaking, the Tampa Bay Rays will be trying to build a bridge to make the trip safe and prosperous when they visit Cuba for three days beginning Sunday.
The organization will assume the role as goodwill ambassador for the United States in Cuba on the trip that culminates Tuesday when it plays the Cuban National Baseball team in an exhibition game at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana.
President Barack Obama, who has promoted the idea of the two countries rebuilding their relationship, is expected to attend the game. He will be the first U.S. president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.
The Baltimore Orioles in 1999 were the last Major League Baseball team to visit Cuba. It played the Cuban National team at the same stadium drawing more than 50,000 fans. Cubans began playing baseball more than 135 years ago.
Rays players say they are excited to be part of this history making event with nearly all refraining to make a political statement regarding Cuba and its government.
Third baseman Evan Longoria, the Rays senior statesman and most popular player, says he and his teammates are taking their role in this venture seriously.
"It's obviously a historic event for us in particular and we are looking forward to representing not only the Rays, but Major League Baseball and the United States," Longoria said. "I don't think that (changes in the Cuban government) is what we are thinking about. Our goal is to go there, do our time there, enjoy the culture and be a solid representative for our sport and country."
Major League Baseball initially proposed the trip. The Rays won a lottery to determine which team would go. Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said it was natural for his organization to be selected because of its close proximity to Cuba. He said the Rays would incur the costs of the trip.
Chris Archer, the Rays top pitcher and player union representative, said his teammates are aware of the significance of the trip and are looking forward to mingling with the people.
"We may look back 30 years from now when things are totally different between the two sides and say, you know what? We were a large part in the changes that went on, especially concerning the relationship between our country and theirs," Archer said. "It's hard to say. It might be a little easier immediately after we go. But I can see it as being one of those situations for us not realizing the magnitude until 20 years from now when there's some large political changes."
Cuba once was a great pipeline for supplying baseball players to the United States, but it changed in 1959 when Fidel Castro and his revolution took over the government.
Between 1950 and 1969 more than 70 Cuban baseball players made their way into the United States,. The number dropped to single digits in the 1970s.
In recent years, Cuba is once again supplying quality players to Major League Baseball though they are defecting through a sophisticated human smuggling system.
Improved technology allows the best of the Cuban players to learn how much money those who left are making and it's increased their incentive to defect.
And success of some of the recent Cuban players such as Jose Abreu, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes increased the interest from Major League teams to sign Cuban players.
For the Rays, the trip is about establishing relationships with the Cuban people and staying away from the political spectrum.
"I am looking forward to the fans, being at the ballpark, enjoying an experience that I am sure is going to be nothing like we've ever experienced," Longoria said. "I think it's definitely something we will remember for a long time."
Cuba's baseball fans are considered among the most passionate in the world. Archer has talked about playing stickball, which is popular among the country's youth.
Archer and Rays manager Kevin Cash said they hoped to go to Parque Central in Havana. Known as the Hot Corner, it is noted for having heated baseball discussions among the fans.
"They're extremely knowledgeable fans who don't get to see major league baseball on a regular basis, but they are extremely passionate," Archer said. "To see their excitement and in a weird way to reward them for being such diligent fans is going to be probably the most special thing, and impacting young children's lives."
Steve Pearce, formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, who joined the Rays this season, considers himself fortunate to be part of the trip.
"It's an honor to be invited. We are excited to go there because it's a barrier that needs to be broken," Pearce said. "There are a lot of great players over there and this is kind of a stepping stone to the future of baseball. I am excited to be part of that. I am looking forward to meeting some of the kids. They have a passion for baseball and look up to us. Politics is not an area of my expertise."
The Rays will charter two planes out of Tampa for the trip. The one carrying the players and coaches will leave after their Sunday game in Sarasota against Baltimore.
The Rays plan to conduct a baseball clinic Monday. The game in Cuba is scheduled to begin at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday and will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Tickets are available only by invitation as they were in 1999 for the Baltimore game. The Rays are scheduled to fly home after the game.
The Rays plan to take Dayron Varona, a minor league outfielder who defected from Cuba to Haiti three years ago after Longoria and Archer asked Rays manager Kevin Cash to put him on the list.
"This is really the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to return to my homeland and I just want to say thanks again to them (teammates) and the front office for giving me this chance," Varona said through an interpreter.
Matt Silverman, Rays president of baseball operations, said late in the week he wasn't sure about Varona going until he received assurances from Cuba, which finally came Saturday.
"With the president's visit, it makes it a historic visit, too, and adds even more celebration and spotlight to the game," Silverman said. "Our players are going to get a chance to experience culture and hopefully interact with the some of the kids and citizens. The game itself is going to be a great atmosphere in the stadium. It's going to be a crowd that is rooting for Cuba, but also for great baseball."
Alan Dell, Herald sports columnist/writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter @ADellSports
This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Tampa Bay Rays staying away from politics on trip to Cuba ."