National sports team
The Cuba national baseball team (Spanish: Selección de béisbol de Cuba) represents Cuba at regional and international levels. The team is made up from the most professional players from the Cuban national baseball system. Cuba has been described as a baseball powerhouse[2] and currently ranks 8th in WBSC's world rankings.[1] It has medalled in all five Olympics in which baseball was played.[3] Cuba played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The team tried but failed to qualify for the 2020 Olympics at the eight-team Americas Qualifying Event on May 31 through June 5, 2021.
World Baseball Classic, Olympics, and IBAF World Cup history
2006 WBC
Cuba competed in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournament, despite the controversy of Cuban involvement and the United States embargo against Cuba. In the final, Cuba lost the gold medal to Japan, 10–6.
2009 WBC
This was the second time Cuba competed at the 2009 WBC Pool B stage, at Foro Sol in Mexico City. Cuba continued to advance to the second round with wins over South Africa and Australia. Cuba lost to Japan twice in the 2nd round, and were eliminated.
They last were eliminated before the start of the final stage of any international tournament in 1951.[citation needed]
2013 WBC
This was the third time Cuba competed at the 2013 WBC Pool A stage, in the Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Japan. Cuba advanced in the tournament against: China, Japan, and newcomers Brazil. Cuba moved on to the second round in Pool 1 to defeat the Netherlands, losing 6–2. Cuba defeated Chinese Taipei, 14–0. They played a face off game with previous competitors, the Netherlands, and lost 7–6. Just as in 2009, Cuba was eliminated in the path to competing in the finals.
2017 WBC
At the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Cuban hitters Frederich Cepeda and Alfredo Despaigne had the distinction in WBC history to be the only players that each hit six home runs in their careers in the WBC.[5]
The team had a 2–1 record in the first round.[6][7] It was led by slugger Despaigne, who took over as the all-time WBC home-run leader.[3]
Cuba advanced into the second round, where it lost its first game to undefeated Pool A winner Team Israel.[6][8][9][10] Former Major League starting pitcher Jason Marquis (in 5.2 innings) and three Team Israel relief pitchers (including Brad Goldberg and Josh Zeid, who both threw 96 mph fastballs) kept Cuba to five hits and one run, a homer by Despaigne, who became the all-time World Baseball Classic home run leader.[11][12][13] Pool A MVP catcher Ryan Lavarnway had two hits for Israel.[11] Cuba went on to lose all 3 games they played and failed to advance to the championship round.
Olympics
Cuba has been the most successful Cuba national team at the Olympics bringing home three gold medals and two silver medals. They have the distinction of being one of two nations to compete in the first five baseball contests at the Summer Olympic Games since it has been an event that started at the [[Olympic.
On June 1, 2021, Cuba was eliminated from qualification for the 2020 Olympics, marking their first failure to qualify for the games.[14]
IBAF World Cup
2009 IBAF World Cup
Cuba was originally slated to host the 2009 Baseball World Cup, however, they willingly gave up the honor to Europe. In an effort to help baseball grow as a sport in Europe, the Baseball World Cup was hosted by a whole continent for the first time in history. The 2009 Baseball World Cup took place from September 9–27. Seven European countries hosted and participated in the tournament of 22 teams. The event was made up of five groups consisting of four teams each, for a total of 20 teams. Italy (Bollate, Bologna, Codogno, Florence, Macerata, Milano, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, San Marino, Torino, Trieste, Verona & Vicenza) and Netherlands (Rotterdam, Haarlem & Amsterdam) served as hosts of the sixteen teams of the second round (September 14–20), and therefore received first round byes. The groups are as follows:[15]
- Group A (hosted by the Czech Republic in Prague): Czech Republic, Australia, Chinese Taipei & Mexico
- Group B (hosted by Spain in Barcelona): Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico & South Africa
- Group C (hosted by Sweden in Stockholm): Sweden, Canada, Korea & Netherlands Antilles
- Group D (hosted by Russia in Moscow): Russia, France/Great Britain, Japan & Nicaragua
- Group E (hosted by Germany in Regensburg): Germany, China, U.S.A. & Venezuela[16]
Cuba
1 (31 December 2022)[1]
2nd (1 time, in 2006)
1st (3 times, most recent in 2004)
1st (25 times, most recent in 2005)
1st (10 times, most recent in 2006)
1st (12 times, most recent in 2007)
