The Cuban comedic and critical duo, The Pichy Boys, have voiced their discontent with the Miami Marlins following an emotional performance on Tuesday. Four daughters of the renowned singer Willy Chirino, along with one of his granddaughters, performed the United States national anthem at LoanDepot Park before the Major League Baseball game between the Marlins and the Chicago Cubs.
The duo started their critique on social media, saying, "The Marlins host a Cuban Heritage Night and invite Willy Chirino and his entire family to sing at the park." However, they pointed out that during the Cuba vs. United States game in the fifth World Baseball Classic, held at the same stadium in March 2023, iconic Cuban exile songs like those of Willy, Celia Cruz, or the anthem "Patria y Vida" were not allowed to be played.
They expressed their frustration by recalling that "on the day the dictatorship came to play at your stadium, the music of Willy, Celia, 'Patria y Vida', and 'Ya viene llegando' did not play." They highlighted that during this event, stadium security prevented entry to several fans wearing shirts with messages critical of the Cuban regime, including the famous phrase "Patria y Vida."
For The Pichy Boys, the recent "Cuban Heritage Night" organized by the Marlins felt like an empty celebration. "Today, the Marlins are more Cuban than ever. They celebrate Celia, Gente de Zona throws the first pitch, everyone eats croquette and steak sandwiches, but when it mattered, they turned their backs on us!" they declared emphatically.
Concluding their message with a critical tone, they remarked that such inconsistencies reflect a community that easily forgets: "That's why we're in the state we're in, because we lack memory." They also shared images from that day, which quickly spread across social media. The controversy reignites the debate about the role of American institutions—and especially Miami sports teams—in their relationship with the Cuban community and the suppression of exile symbols at crucial moments.
Impact of Cultural Events on Cuban Community in Miami
What was the reaction of The Pichy Boys to the Cuban Heritage Night?
The Pichy Boys criticized the Miami Marlins for hosting a Cuban Heritage Night that they viewed as insincere, pointing out that significant Cuban exile songs were not played during a previous event when it mattered most.
Why did The Pichy Boys mention the game between Cuba and the United States?
They referenced the game to emphasize the inconsistency in the stadium's policies, where Cuban exile music was barred, contrasting with the celebrations during the Cuban Heritage Night.
How did the Marlins' actions affect the perception of the Cuban community?
The actions of the Marlins are seen as reflective of a broader issue where important cultural symbols are ignored, leading to criticism from figures like The Pichy Boys who argue the community tends to forget its own struggles.