Cuban baseball bids farewell to one of its iconic players: Yeniet Pérez Romero. After dedicating 20 consecutive seasons to the Villa Clara team, Pérez will not be part of the upcoming National Baseball Series. This development was confirmed by Leopards' head coach Ramón Moré and Provincial Baseball Commissioner Rubén Alberto Mesa, as reported by the Vanguardia website.
Pérez, hailing from Remedios, has etched an unforgettable legacy with the Villa Clara squad. Over two decades, he amassed 1,068 hits, surpassed the 100-home run milestone with 113 homers, and became a symbol of dedication and passion for his province's baseball scene.
A Personal and Pivotal Decision
"It was the player's own decision," stated manager Ramón Moré, acknowledging that Yeniet's departure will be a significant loss for the team. Despite being among the top 18 players initially called for the Leopards' training sessions, the seasoned player ultimately chose not to continue his career in the National Series.
"Having achieved significant milestones like reaching a thousand hits and over a hundred home runs, perhaps there were no more major goals left to pursue," Moré remarked.
Changes Within Villa Clara
In addition to Pérez's exit, left-hander César Jesús Morales Rodríguez has also decided to pursue a different path in his sports career. However, it's not all bad news: right-hander Javier Mirabal Espinosa has expressed interest in earning a spot in the preliminary selection, although no official confirmation has been made yet.
The preliminary roster for Villa Clara in the 64th National Series includes 51 players, featuring those contracted abroad in Japan and Italy, such as Cristian Rodríguez, Darío Sarduy, Osdany Rodríguez, Randy Cueto, and Eriel Carrillo, along with the well-known Freddy Asiel Álvarez.
It's worth noting that in recent months, several prominent figures have chosen to step away from Cuban baseball for various reasons. Undoubtedly, each new departure impacts the level of competition, which is currently experiencing its most challenging period in decades.
Impact of Player Departures on Cuban Baseball
Why did Yeniet Pérez decide to leave Villa Clara?
Yeniet Pérez decided to leave Villa Clara after achieving significant career milestones, feeling there were no more major goals left to pursue.
Who else is leaving the Villa Clara team?
In addition to Pérez, left-hander César Jesús Morales Rodríguez has also decided to leave the team to follow a different path in his sports career.
Are there any new players showing interest in Villa Clara?
Right-hander Javier Mirabal Espinosa has shown interest in joining the preliminary selection for Villa Clara, although official confirmation is still pending.