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).