Alan Morales Pacheco has a dual role at the Guillermón Moncada Stadium in Santiago de Cuba: first, he prepares the field, and then he puts on the Avispa suit to cheer on the games of the Santiago team.
The story was shared this Monday by sports commentator Pavel Otero on his Facebook page, where he introduced him as "an unsung hero with a dual role on the Santiago team."
According to Otero, Morales Pacheco has been working in the field of Guillermón Moncada for 25 years and for 13 of those years has also been the person responsible for bringing to life the well-known mascot of Santiago de Cuba.
Their work begins with the preparation of the stage where the matches take place.
According to the publication, he is the first to arrive at the stadium to water the field, paint the lines, compact the box, shape the grass, and prepare it for the game.
Once that task is completed, it completely changes its function.
"Then he puts on the Hornet helmet to continue with his dual function," Otero said, highlighting the worker's effort.
The commentator later added in response to his post that Morales also has another role within the stadium: «He is also a ball collector. He doesn't stop working».
The story generated numerous messages of appreciation among fans, many of whom highlighted both the physical effort involved in their work and their long-standing connection to Santiago baseball.
The so-called heroes without capes..., wrote a user.
Another summed up his versatility with a particularly fitting phrase: "The literal all-terrain".
Calls also emerged for greater recognition of their work: «They should value their sacrifice and provide good care and a decent salary», stated one person.
Many blessings, and they deserve a full stadium recognition, pointed out another user.
La Avispa from Santiago has previously been involved in moments that have caught the attention of fans.
In June 2024, a curious incident occurred following a victory of Santiago de Cuba over Industriales at the Guillermón Moncada.
The Santiago team had won 8-6 thanks to a home run by Harold Vásquez in the ninth inning.
During the celebration, the Wasp sprinted towards home and leaped forward, causing the large red head of the costume to come off.
The person inside, at that moment unidentified although presumably Morales according to the timeline, immediately retrieved it and put it back on.
Morales's case also brings to mind other individuals who, for years, have remained behind well-known figures of Cuban baseball.
In 2018, the story of Osvaldo Reyes Pérez, "Chicho" was revealed, who combined his job as an operator at the Todo en Uno amusement park in Varadero, with the task of bringing the Cocodrilo de Matanzas to life.
Related videos:
Filed under: