2024-04-11 11:31:13
Photo: Jorge Luis Borges
Text: Raúl del Pino
The decade just concluded in 2020 witnessed how the name of Alfredo Despaigne dominated long-range slugging at will both in the Cuban National Series and in the four-letter team.
The burly hitter occupied the center of the lineups of any team he was part of, whether it was from his province of Granma or as a reinforcement of many others, both in the domestic pastime and in international events. Even in the ranked Japanese League he has also established himself as fourth stringer, first for the Chiba Lotte Mariners and more recently for the two-time champion Softbank Hawks.
Nobody dares to question that the native of Santiago de Cuba is one of the greatest power hitters to have played in Antillean baseball. But at 34 years old and in full sporting maturity, AD54 has seen from distant Japan how another man threatens his power under the umbrella of the Cuban Baseball Federation, insurmountable at least since José Pito Abreu headed to the Major Leagues in 2014.
Owner of the absolute record for complete return hits in the National Series with 36 since the XLI campaign -of 90 games-, Despaigne is now grateful that the new and shortened structure -due to the Covid-19 pandemic- contemplates only 75 challenges in the regular calendar.
The reason? Simple. The capital’s Lisbán Correa already destroyed -first- the current limit for campaigns with this number of games and shortly after he equaled the maximum number of home runs for an industrialist, held by his now coach Alexander Malleta for 10 years.
A total of 27 shots into the stands is the current amount displayed by the tall Havana first baseman, who, despite his excessive strength, is the first time he has made positive headlines with his performance.
Sanctioned for the second time in his career after a violent altercation in the middle of the last series, Correa returned to his powers this year with the task of leading Industriales’ decimated offense, largely made up of veteran players who have already seen their best years. pass or young prospects not yet established.
The milestone came in the second game of a doubleheader against second-ranked Artemisa this Sunday, when his team needed more than ever to add victories that would keep it alive in search of a postseason ticket. The 58 of the blue team hunted a straight line at the height of the letters and sent it in hundredths of seconds to the empty stands in the left sector of the desolate Latin American stadium.
“I’m almost always going to hit the ball and have the home run come out on its own. I felt very excited when I stepped on home plate and the first person I saw was Professor Malleta waiting for me, those are unforgettable moments,” said the former catcher at the end of the game.
“I remember that when I was a boy I admired him a lot and I have never hidden that I always wanted to be like him. I hope I can continue helping the Industriales like he did,” confessed the new top home run hitter for a season of the so-called flagship team of Cuban baseball.
At his side, the historic 55 – who hung up his spikes a couple of campaigns ago – does not hide his smile of pride and satisfaction upon hearing the words of his disciple. “I am happy to have contributed my grain of sand to this work that Correa is doing, for which he has prepared very well. I think this result is very well deserved,” he expressed.
Malleta assumed the role of hitting coach for Industriales in Series 60 and for the privileged few who have been able to attend the games this year, the fraternal relationship between student and teacher has become evident.
“The moment everyone was stopped he was working. His offense has been very key for our team and a large part of why we are still fighting is due to him. I feel proud and happy for his achievements and I would have liked him to have played 90 games to see how many he could reach, I think he was very close to Despaigne’s record based on the pace he has been up to now,” warned the always smiling former first baseman.
Beyond the brands, Lisbán Correa’s concentration right now points to the handful of life or death games that remain for his team before the playoffs. The capital’s ship went through a true ordeal after 15 cases of Covid-19 at the end of December, and another one will experience when it must face Villa Clara, Pinar del Río and Matanzas, all twice, this week.
Once the series and the commitment to his province are over, Correa’s goals will fly through the skies and the dream of dressing up as Cuba can finally come true. Because none of the probable directors to guide the national team to the Tokyo Olympic Games should have any doubts that Lisbán will become a fundamental piece for the hopes of 11 million Cubans – and many others beyond borders – who long to experience the return of the Island to the appointment under the five rings.
Whether at fourth base, or fifth covering the great Despaigne, Correa has earned his presence on the big team with hits.