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The legendary pitcher from Sancti Spíritus Frederich Cepeda has once again etched his name in the history of Cuban baseball. At 45 years old, the slugger became the new all-time leader in runs batted in during the National Series on Tuesday, reaching 1,513 RBIs, surpassing the record of Santiago's Orestes Kindelán (1,511).
The new supremacy emerged in the victory of Sancti Spíritus by 9-2 against Holguín, the tournament leader, during the 64th National Series. As confirmed by statistician Arnelio Álvarez to the site JIT, Cepeda drove in three runs in the game, all in the first inning, thanks to a historic home run with two men on base against pitcher Andriuw Valido. This hit also marked his 383rd home run in domestic championships.
This is already the eighth offensive department of Cuban baseball that is "owned" by the player from Sancti Spíritus, showcasing his consistency and exceptional relevance.
An offensive phenomenon: among the best Cuban batters of the 21st century
Talking about Frederich Cepeda is to talk about one of the best Cuban batters of the 21st century. His combination of plate discipline, power, pitch selection, and ability to drive in runs has led many experts—both inside and outside Cuba—to include him in their top 30 list of the best Cuban baseball players in history.
As a switch hitter, his impact is even more remarkable: undoubtedly, a top 3 among the greatest switch hitters the island has produced, equally dominating right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
A career filled with glory: Olympics, World Championships, and the World Baseball Classic
Cepeda's record is one of the most complete ever achieved by a modern Cuban baseball player. His career includes Olympic medals, world championships, and Pan American and Central American medals, not to mention the significant runner-up finish at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Additionally, his numbers in the World Baseball Classics place him among the best players of the tournament, showcasing elite performance in multiple editions and being a key piece in the Cuban offense.
An active immortal
Cepeda continues to expand a career that defies time. At his age, he remains at the highest level of production, demonstrating professionalism and athletic longevity.
With this new brand, Frederich Cepeda reaffirms his status as one of the great offensive figures in Cuban baseball, a player whose mark will be impossible to erase from the historical pages of the national sport.
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