CAMAGÜEY.- Rarely does a reporter have the pleasure of sharing a table with athletes, something that happened last Thursday during lunch with Camagüey's pitchers José Ramón Rodríguez and Frank Madan.

Both are concentrated in the José Antonio Huelga stadium in Sancti Spiritus, the general headquarters of the Ganaderos for the upcoming Elite League of Cuban Baseball, and they were kind enough to talk with Adelante about various topics on the future baseball agenda.

They are considered, along with Yariel Rodríguez, the three best pitchers that Camagüey currently has and that is why we begin by talking about the last National Series.

Pepe: ”Things didn't work out for us on the pitch, we missed several almost-made victories. I don't think we have to blame only the management team because all of us who play are ultimately responsible. Of course, the losses affected us a lot, because the players who had the task of replacing them did not perform at a high level and we had to look for alternatives".

Madan: “My first regret is that I wasn't in top shape to help more. I do believe that we had a squad for a better result, but instability condemned us. Now it's time to better prepare the youngest players to try to return to the postseason”.

—How did you receive the call to Los Ganaderos and how do you see this group facing the first Elite League?

Madan: “Although my numbers were not the same in the last Series, I knew that I had a chance to be there and that is why I continued my preparation. We have one of the best rosters and if used well we can overwhelm. I look around me and I see Cepeda, Leslie, Samón, Mendoza, or Raúl González and I don't know how to make a lineup in which all those excellent athletes play.

Pepe: “After my performance with the Toros and the Cuba team, I took it for granted that I would be on this team. I am very excited to continue improving. The teachers want me to be one of the main starters and that's what I'm training for. I think we have the best pitching staff, as there is a mix of highly experienced and quality starters like Yander Guevara, Yuen Socarrás and Madan himself with young relievers like Duardo, Mauri...”.

—While they devoured their dishes and went for more, a theme became recurrent: the World Classic.

Photo: Alejandro Rodríguez Leiva / Adelante

Pepe: “It is my main goal, my lifelong dream. I was in the pre-selection for the previous Classic but in the end, I didn't make the grade. A little later came the injury that kept me out for two years, during which time many forgot about me. Fortunately, my recovery was successful and last season I was able to show that I am back in better condition and people are beginning to recognize me. Now I will pursue that goal because I know I am ready to wear that uniform.”

Madan: “I already know what it's like to represent Cuba in a Premier 12, but honestly the Classic fills me with more enthusiasm. You only have to look at the names that have already been confirmed by other countries to realize that it is the main tournament for national teams. To make the pre-selection I have to earn it in the Elite because, although the coaches know of my quality, I have to show them that I am in top form”.

—And for dessert, we leave individual projects and more...

Madan: “I am focused on finalizing a contract abroad since I could not fulfill the previous one in Venezuela due to the injury. I've already been scouted from several leagues, I just have to stay healthy to get there. It is something necessary for my future.”

Pepe: “This is a crucial year for my career because if I achieve good numbers in the Elite and do the Cuba team, proposals may come. The quality of Cuban pitchers has been demonstrated everywhere and that is an advantage for those of us who have not yet signed a professional contract. That should come on its own."

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez