The official journalist Pavel Otero, one of the most visible faces of the regime's sports communication apparatus, came to the defense of the National Baseball Series in response to the increasing criticisms regarding the decline of the tournament.
Through a message posted on his Facebook page “Diga Usted Pavel Otero,” the communicator responded to those who describe the National Series as one of the worst competitions, characterized by the low quality of the game, the massive emigration of players, and the loss of competitive level.
In a somewhat ambiguous text —as it acknowledges that the competition has its issues— Otero defended the symbolic weight of baseball on the island and asserted that those who criticize it today will end up missing it.
"When the World Baseball Classic is over, if the start of the Elite League is delayed and we spend several months without baseball, they're going to miss it," he wrote.
It recognizes problems, but appeals to nostalgia
Although he admits that the level has declined, the journalist insists that the Serie Nacional remains an essential part of Cuban identity.
"The ball is in the blood of Cubans," he stated, citing as an example the warm welcome that the people of Matanzas gave to the champions of the 64th National Series, which he described as "spontaneous."
Otero also argued that the stadiums "continue to fill up," in contrast to those who claim that the tournament has lost its appeal and quality compared to foreign leagues and the exodus of players to professional baseball.
Attack on the "hypercritical"
The communicator lashed out at the harshest critics, whom he called "hypercritical and extremist," accusing them of belittling what baseball still represents for Cuban society.
However, for many fans, the issue is not the passion for the game — which remains strong — but rather the structural deterioration of the championship: stadiums in poor condition, low technical standards, constant talent departures, and an Elite League that fails to establish itself.
Otero's defense comes at a time when Cuban baseball is experiencing one of its most complex phases, with a fanbase divided between nostalgia, open criticism, and an increasing following of Major League Baseball and other professional leagues.
For now, the debate continues: Is the National Series a tradition that endures despite everything, or a tournament that the system itself has ultimately weakened?
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