Defection

[CANADASTEVE]

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on the recent defection of the cuban pitcher to the USA. I have what thoughts but i better keep themselves for now. :'(

[Cuba_Cutie]

I didn't hear about this mind you I'm not a big baseball fan! But do you know where I could read about it on the web then I want to hear what you think!! Steph

[aguacate]

Each of these is carrying the story at the moment...

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/americas/2301249.stm), World News (http://www.cubadaily.com/p/a5/a573b7e9108d.html?id=f4ac0e), Yahoo! News (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021005/sp_nm/baseball_cubans_dc_5) and VOA News (http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=E38BCA8A-AD2C-4ABE-9BE1A07AB905F5BD&title=Cuban%20Baseball%20Pitcher% 20Defects%20in%20Mexico&catOID=45C9C78A-88AD-11D4-A57200A0CC5EE46C&categoryname=Americas)

[Cuba_Cutie]

Thanks I'll check those out!

[Rick]

I just don't understand why anyone, Cuban or otherwise, would trade in the admiration and respect of their countrymen (and $20 a month) just to go to the U.S. to make multi-millions of dollars a year for playing a stupid game? ??? I'm sorry but I think the North American professional sports scene is the perfect example of a continent's misplaced priorities >:(. I don't care if Contreras had a 1.76 ERA, no one deserves millions for playing sports!

[Alef]

Sorry, my English is very bad, we have some expressions for that kind of situations: " El amor y el interes se fueron al campo un dia , pudo mas el interes que el amor que me tenia"
The Contreras' love for money is biggest than love for Cuba. >:(

[Cuba_Cutie]

Rick I totally agree with you! They don't deserve to make millions!! :o

[Bailarin]

Well I certainly think they deserve to make more than $20 a month. I have seen these guys in action and they are fantastic, dedicated players. I don't believe that any athletes should make the ridiculous amounts of money that they do. But I do believe that should make more than they do in Cuba. Canadians athletes, musicians, actors and professionals leave Canada all the time for the USA for more money. Why shouldn't Cubans be able to do the same?

[Wes]

I hate to admit it, but defecting was probably the best thing they could do. They could get millions of dollars in the USA, then send that money back to Cuba. This would be the best way that they can help the Cuban Economy. The Cuban Economy needs all the help it can get, since the market value of sugar has been in a steady downward spiral and, depending on what happens in Iraq, oil prices may increase tremendously. It is easy to call the defectors traiters and counter-revolutionaries but the truth of the matter is they may be doing the most they can for the good of Cuba.

[QBNTherapist]

Until Fidel dies, and Cuba becomes free. I think that the best thing for all Cuban baseball players is to defect and come to the US. Why suffer in a dictatorship, when you can be free. 8)

[beardo]

But won't he be restricted to $300 a quarter like everyone else ?

[Michiel]

Your family (above all the mother) is the most important person in Cuba, just leaving them behind is not done. You never know what might happen to them if you leave the country.

[Rockmen43]

He should be able to help his family with remittances.

(Conspiracy theory - Fidel and the players collaborate. The players can leave and live good, but must send money back to the revolucion as well. ;))

How else do explain Contreras? He plays good enough to be put into an important situation, then throws the game! :o