Guantánamo pitcher Álvaro Damián Savón Tejeda made a public statement on Monday following a controversial altercation at Cándido González Stadium in Camagüey. The incident resulted in Savón's ejection after he was accused of striking an umpire during a game between Guantánamo and the Toros.
Sharing his thoughts on Facebook, Savón expressed his "deepest regret" for the incident. He apologized to the people of Cuba, particularly those in Camagüey, and to the National Baseball Directorate for the pitch that struck umpire Roman Zamora, an action that led to his immediate ejection.
“I want to express my deepest regret... I am sorry for having caused this situation,” Savón wrote, acknowledging that he expects to face a penalty from sports authorities, which has already included disciplinary action from his team, sidelining him for several games. "I would never intend to bring disgrace to Cuban baseball, which I have cherished and practiced since childhood," he added.
Concluding his statement, he assured that he would never repeat such a "regrettable incident." Meanwhile, the National Baseball Commission announced on X that its Disciplinary Committee has been activated in response to Savón's actions.
The video capturing the altercation, showing Savón striking the umpire with his glove, was shared by the sports site Por La Goma LLC and has sparked significant reactions on social media. Savón criticized how the incident has been exaggerated online: “I’ve seen on social media that this situation has been used to exaggerate and create a false crisis narrative about our baseball,” he stated.
Savón reiterated his commitment to upholding the values of Cuban sports and ended his message with an apology to his team and the affected umpire: “I will never repeat such a lamentable incident.” Despite the controversy, Guantánamo triumphed over Camagüey with a score of 8 to 2.
This is not an isolated case of severe discipline in the current National Series. In August, the INDER in Granma imposed a one-year suspension on pitcher Leandro Martínez for what was deemed "very serious" violations. The sanction bans him from national competitive events and from being contracted, following conduct that was considered damaging to the spirit of the sport.
Official commentator Pavel Otero, addressing that case, questioned the inconsistency in the enforcement of sanctions within Cuban baseball. “We’ve had players involved in physical altercations during games who were suspended for only two or three matches,” he remarked, suggesting a need to review the disciplinary regulations.
Understanding the Impacts of Disciplinary Actions in Cuban Baseball
What led to Damián Savón's ejection from the game?
Damián Savón was ejected from the game for allegedly striking an umpire, Roman Zamora, with his glove during a match between Guantánamo and the Toros.
How has the public reacted to the incident involving Savón?
The incident has sparked considerable reactions on social media, with many discussions around the severity of the event and its portrayal. Savón himself criticized the exaggeration of the situation online.
What other disciplinary actions have been notable in the National Series?
Aside from Savón's case, pitcher Leandro Martínez faced a one-year suspension for serious violations in August, reflecting ongoing concerns about discipline in Cuban baseball.