Las Tunas' baseball player Dánel Castro

Dánel Castro Muñagorri is synonymous with dedication, passion, and love for baseball. Defending the jacket of the Lumberjacks from Las Tunas and, on a few occasions, that of the Cuba team, the native of Manatí has earned the respect and admiration of the people, who enjoy the national pastime so much.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- That respect has often been violated by the authorities of the Cuban Baseball Federation, who have left him out of the national team in dissimilar international events, despite his very good numbers in great campaigns. But, this time, I think they went too far and the fan from Las Tunas and Cubans, in general, deserve an explanation as to why he has been undeservedly and unexpectedly excluded from the roster of Agricultores (a team made up of players from Granma and Las Tunas).

Although indeed, the 61st National Series was not Dánel's best campaign, the star player exhibited meritorious numbers (284 on average, with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs) so as not to be left out of a squad in which some names do not excel in results and much less in history.

Las Tunas' baseball player Dánel Castro

Also, there is a factor that goes beyond what happened in 2021, and it is the historical record for hits in domestic tournaments (2,378), held by Enriquito Díaz, from the capital, and from which Dánel is only 14 hits away. He has expressed that he was going to retire after breaking that special mark, which means more than a number and points to the athlete's legacy.

So, the questions are on the table. Who left out Dánel Castro, the Provincial Commission of Las Tunas? It sounds almost absurd. The National Commission, or Carlos Martí, appointed manager of Agricultores? Who would want to leave intact the hit record for a man from the capital?

Although everything points to the veteran director from Granma, I think we do not have all the certainties or answers. But baseball always rewards the greats, and as Dánel deserves, he was called by Armando Ferrer to wear the shirt of the Centrales squad. Ferrer, who has had his ups and downs with the Lumberjacks, typical fevers of postseason games, did not overlook the popularity of the Las Tunas leader in recent seasons.

The gesture of the mentor from Matanzas is appreciated, but we cannot deny that it hurts not to see Dánel reach such a long-awaited figure and close his award-winning career at the Balcón de Oriente, even if it is in a team that does not wear the green and red colors but represents the province.

I think revenge is the word he will go out on the diamond with for the upcoming Elite League. And of course, we can almost confirm that the historical leader in hits will be a player from Las Tunas!