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The former Cuban major leaguer Kendrys Morales recently shared a peculiar anecdote that involved Antonio Castro, the son of the late dictator and, at that time, the physician for the Cuba team, in 2002.
Morales recounted during an interview with the independent media Swing Completo how, during a stay of the Cuba team in Canada, he witnessed Tony Castro buying a 300-dollar pair of pants for his girlfriend.
“We went out to buy something, and Tony Castro came along and bought a pair of pants for $300 as a gift for his girlfriend right next to me. Where does that money come from if that guy was a doctor? People don’t know what we’ve seen and what we’ve been through. That happened right in front of me, and I saw it with my own eyes,” he recounted.
The former big leaguer with 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, who was then one of the stars of the Cuban national team, compared the privileges of Fidel Castro's son with the meager financial compensation received by the players.
“How much did a doctor in Cuba earn when I was there? Once, we took a trip to Canada, where we stayed for 15 days. We were given 15 dollars a day and two days to go out and buy our things. Whatever could be bought. I couldn't buy anything because my mom couldn't give me any more money. I had no way to get money unless I sold my shirt, my spikes, and all that,” he commented.
Morales was dropped from the Industriales team in 2004 during the National Series. Banned and marginalized by the Cuban sports authorities, he decided to leave the country at just 20 years old.
After 13 failed attempts to escape, he finally made it to the United States, where he wrote a completely different story in Major League Baseball.
At that moment, he recalls feeling very shocked by the situation: “How can I be watching that and defend those people? I don’t want to see any of them in front of me. If I have the talent, how are they going to enjoy it?” he questioned.
Antonio Castro is an example of the privileges of the ruling class in Cuba; he has lived amidst luxuries, vacations abroad, golf games, and yacht outings. In recent years, he has stayed out of the spotlight.
In 2016, he was appointed ambassador of the International Judo Federation (IJF) and, shortly thereafter, promoted to president of the Medical Commission. He currently holds this position.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kendrys Morales' Testimony and Privileges in Cuba
What anecdote did Kendrys Morales tell about Tony Castro and a pair of 300-dollar pants?
Kendrys Morales recounted that in 2002, during a visit by the Cuba team to Canada, he saw Tony Castro, son of Fidel Castro, buying a pair of $300 pants for his girlfriend. Morales questioned the source of the money, since Tony Castro was a doctor at that time. This anecdote highlights the privileges of the Castro family in contrast with the economic situation of Cuban ballplayers and ordinary citizens.
How do the earnings of a doctor in Cuba compare to the privileges of the Castro family?
In the era when Morales witnessed the purchase of the pants, doctors in Cuba earned very low salaries, while baseball players received a pittance for their needs abroad. The Castro family, on the other hand, lived in luxuries that did not match their official income. This situation reflects the inequalities and privileges within the Cuban regime.
What impact did the betrayal have on Kendrys Morales' career?
Kendrys Morales was reported by a teammate from the Cuba team, which led to his expulsion from the team and eventual departure from the country. This betrayal marked a turning point in his career, driving him to seek opportunities in the United States, where he had a successful career in Major League Baseball. Morales's story is an example of the political control and lack of support for sporting talent in Cuba.
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