The former pitcher from Pinar del Río, José Ariel Contreras, and the former second baseman Yobal Dueñas paid tribute to the legendary pitcher from Havana, Lázaro de la Torre, by highlighting his remarkable contributions to Cuban baseball.
In a video published on Facebook by the specialized media Swing Completo, Contreras —a star in the National Series and later in Major League Baseball— recalled the fierce competitiveness and natural talent of the historic pitcher from the Industriales, whom he described as a difficult opponent to decipher.
"Nobody was hitting for him," Contreras assured.
The former pitcher recalled a memorable matchup between them in which they threw 14 complete innings, reflecting the resilience and composure of the capital native, popularly known as the 'Iron Arm'.
For his part, Yobal Dueñas, a legend of Pinar del Río and the Cuba teams, recalled with laughter that matchup: “That day he struck me out four times. I faced four pitchers. There was no way to hit the ball,” confessed the former second baseman, emphasizing the talent of the player from Havana.
Lázaro de la Torre: a symbol of dedication and discipline
Born on October 10, 1957, in Havana, Lázaro de la Torre was one of the most dominant and respected pitchers of the 1980s and 1990s.
He began his career with the Metropolitanos and then established himself as a star pitcher for the Industriales, distinguished by his bravery, discipline, and fighting spirit.
Nicknamed "Iron Arm" for his ability to pitch complete games and his physical endurance, De la Torre achieved figures that place him among the top five pitchers in Cuban amateur baseball, with 208 wins, 161 complete games, and 1,716 strikeouts.
A legendary career
Throughout his extensive career, he won international gold medals at the Pan American Games in Caracas 1983 and Indianapolis 1987, at the Intercontinental Cups in Belgium 1983 and Edmonton 1985, and at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Havana 1982.
He was also a national champion with Industriales in 1986 and 1992.
Despite being left off the Cuba team that attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, De la Torre continued to showcase his greatness on the mound. In 2001, at the age of 42, he pitched for three consecutive days against Pinar del Río to equal a historic playoff, reaffirming his indomitable spirit.
The legacy of the "Iron Arm"
De la Torre was an example of discipline, rigor, and absolute dedication to the sport. His work ethic made him a role model for later generations of pitchers.
It was common to see him training on his own, running and exercising without waiting for instructions from his coaches, which reinforced his reputation as a natural competitor.
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