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Leagues and Governing Bodies

MLB GAINS FRONT-PAGE COVERAGE WITH HISTORIC HAVANA GAME

          The Orioles defeated the Cuban National Team 3-2 in 11
     innings yesterday in front of more than 50,000 at the
     Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana.  In opening ESPN's
     broadcast, Jon Miller noted the presence of Fidel Castro and
     said, "They told us it was supposed to be about baseball,
     about a baseball exchange, but obviously it became ...
     invitation only, [and] Fidel had made his grand entrance and
     the 55,000 invitees all chanted his name.  So, so far it has
     been very much about Fidel" (ESPN, 3/28).  Interviewed
     during the game, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, "We're
     here because we believe, and our government believes, that
     this is a very important part of a cultural and sports
     exchange between these two countries."  On the Cuban
     Americans that didn't agree with the game: "All of the
     concerns raised were valid, and we were very sensitive about
     them.  But on balance, because our government wanted to do
     it, and because we believe in the long run, it will do a lot
     of good."  On his conversations with Castro during the game:
     "Talked a lot of baseball."   Orioles Owner Peter Angelos
     called the game a start of future contests: "My
     understanding is that at least two and maybe three other
     major league ballclubs have applied for a license to visit
     Cuba in the same fashion as we have" (ESPN, 3/28).  
          A DAY WITH THE BEARD: In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck
     writes that while the Orioles had hoped to "cast" the game
     as a "nonpolitical, people-to-people event," the "high-
     profile presence" of Castro "nearly overshadowed the
     baseball dimension of the goodwill trip."  Schmuck: "No
     doubt, the image of baseball's top-ranking official [and] a
     high-profile owner ... schmoozing with Castro will cause
     tremendous consternation in the Cuban exile community." 
     Angelos: "He's the principal political person in his
     government.  If he invites you to sit with him at the
     ballgame, good manners will dictate that you accept."  Selig
     "defended the visit -- and the close contact with Castro." 
     Selig: "I'm extremely sensitive about that.  But this is
     part of a sports and cultural exchange that our State
     Department wanted us to do" (Baltimore SUN, 3/29). In DC,
     Thom Loverro writes that the Orioles and MLB "maintained"
     the event has "simply been a baseball exchange with no
     political overtones."  But Castro critics "have argued that
     it would be a show for the dictator, and they seemed to have
     a good case yesterday."  Selig: "It's been a very
     fascinating 24 hours.  At one time, it would have been
     difficult to believe that this would have taken place under
     any circumstances."  Angelos: "It's been a great experience,
     and this is just the beginning.  More major league teams
     will be coming here, and more Cuban teams will be coming to
     the United States, and that has been the whole purpose of
     this" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/29).  Angelos, on Castro standing
     during the Star-Spangled Banner: "There was no reluctance at
     all on his part" (AP, 3/29).  MLB Senior VP Sandy Alderson,
     on talking with Castro: "We talked about player development
     in the Dominican Republic.  He's very knowledgeable.  He's
     very big on details" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/29).  Angelos said the
     group talked mostly about baseball, but Selig offered a
     baseball "lesson" when the Cuban team lifted P Jose Ariel
     Contreras after eight shutout innings.  Selig: "You know
     what we call that?  A big mistake" (USA TODAY, 3/29). 
          YIKES: FSN's Keith Olbermann, on Castro and Selig
     sitting together: "Wow. Two of the world's great dictators"
     ("FSN," 3/28).  In Pittsburgh, Chuck Finder: "Which man
     would you rather have as commissioner?" (PITTSBURGH POST-
     GAZETTE, 3/29).  In N.Y., Phil Mushnick notes the game on
     ESPN "was filled with wonder."  Mushnick, on the sight of
     Selig and Castro seated next to each other: "Yep, the
     dictator and the dictationist" (N.Y. POST, 3/29)....In Ft.
     Lauderdale, Dave Joseph writes that ESPN's Jon Miller and
     Joe Morgan were "flawless in their preparation," and that
     Miller "didn't fail to remind viewers that this event was
     being played in Castro's back yard, before 50,000 invited
     supporters" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/29). 
          CUBA NOTES: In DC, Richard Justice writes that the $82M
     Orioles "were unable to put away a team with a payroll of
     around $6,000" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/29)....Orioles LF B.J.
     Surhoff said players were not getting involved in the
     political aspects of the trip: "History is for others to
     write and for us to read" (Baltimore SUN, 3/29)....On
     Saturday, Dan LeBetard of the MIAMI HERALD wrote that the
     game "is so very wrong for political reasons and for
     economic reasons and for emotional reasons. ... And that's
     why slovenly, embarrassing, ignorant [MLB] ... deserves
     every ounce of anger every generation of Cubans can summon"
     (MIAMI HERALD, 3/27)....The U.S. delegation included U.S.
     Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
     and Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke (N.Y. TIMES, 3/29).

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