There was a time when Yosmel Montes threw the hammer with the hope of becoming a great in Cuban athletics. He couldn't fulfill that dream of his youth, but destiny found another way to make his aspirations come true. Years later, it is no longer he who seeks glory in a hammer cage; it is his son, Lázaro Montes, who steps onto the grand stages of professional baseball.
The boy who left Cuba at the age of 13, having been a star in the younger age categories, arrived in the Dominican Republic with his eyes set on the Grand Stage. He took a solid step by signing with the Seattle Mariners, and an even more significant step by becoming a Major League player.
And now, through the watchful eyes of dad Yosmel, his son Lázaro speaks with every swing, thus representing a family, an emigration, numerous sacrifices, and the dedication of a father who transformed his knowledge as an athlete into guidance for his “little one.”
Yosmel, you were also a young man full of sporting dreams; you became part of the national athletics team as a hammer thrower. What remains today of that boy who wanted to "do something great," and what does it mean to see that dream fulfilled, in some way, through Lázaro?
What remains of that young boy is his positive mindset, competitive spirit in sports, much more experience, and most importantly: discipline and a great sense of responsibility. I still feel the urge to compete, and when I watch my event at international competitions, I get emotional seeing the athletes' efforts.
As an athlete and as a father, how much of the discipline, physical preparation, and mindset you learned during your years in sports helped you support Lázaro from his first steps to the Major Leagues?
Seeing this dream come true for my child fills me with satisfaction, since, thanks to God, who made me the most undisciplined athlete in the world, I have been able to reverse that and teach him that nothing is achieved this way, neither in sports nor in social life. This dream will be fully realized when my child becomes a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. I have poured all of my athletic experience into him so that he does not make the mistakes I made, and look at the result.
Seeing us face life as one allows me to ask you: what did your son experience upon entering the Great Tent?
Phew! Can you imagine? It was a very fulfilling, very emotional experience. The first thing that came to mind was the moment, at six years old, when we started working together, shaping this bright present.
I remember I told him, “Lachito, I am going to train you, not for Team Cuba, not for Team Ciudad Habana, nor for provincial teams; I am going to train you so that you can play in the Major Leagues for a long time and become part of the Hall of Fame.”
You can imagine, Julita, her astonished little face asking, "And what is that, Dad?" to which I replied, "When you grow up, you'll know; when you're in the MLB, you'll understand what that is."
Believe me, that moment has been one of the best moments of my life.
Your son's debut in the Big Top was spectacular.
Yes, I was there. First at-bat, walk; second at-bat, a line drive between first and second, driving in a run, and the third, the home run that many are still talking about.
Do you know, Julita? That first home run on debut day is a significant achievement for anyone, but considering it was right in the center of the Boston stadium, one of the iconic venues in MLB, makes it even more remarkable.
How does Lazarito get to the Dominican Republic?
He arrived with a solid foundation that I provided. He came with the training I gave him, for which many labeled me as crazy because I incorporated elements from hammer throwing into batting... Hahaha... It was a preparation filled with rigor and high standards.
That sweet madness has been key to his current state. Psychologically, he also changed, as his philosophy of aspiring to play for Industriales or the Cuban national team faded, making way for his goal of being great in the Major Leagues. He gradually learned more about the best baseball in the world, always with the support of his mother and mine.
And yes, we must talk about his mother because her breath and encouragement were always present.
You speak of Industriales and the Cuba team with a certain disdain, although I know you are a very modest man.
No, not at all; I don’t want them to think that I disdain Cuban baseball. In fact, more and more players are competing in the Major Leagues. The thing is, first, baseball in Cuba has declined significantly, and second, there is neither a foundation nor resources to support it. Of course, there is no shortage of talent; we are proving that.
Yosmel, how did you come up with the idea of introducing hammer elements into baseball?
Look, training my son has been something fascinating for me; and of course, it is a great satisfaction to have him as a student. I used to train him in batting, defense, and conditioning his physique. Have you seen that boy? He has the figure of a Greek god! And I mention Greek because if Helen of Troy was portrayed by Lupita Nyong'o, an African actress, Lachi could be in the Olympus of Hellas... hahaha.
I studied how to adapt the exercises in the throwing area for baseball, and believe me, it has yielded excellent results. For my son and all those who have come under my guidance; of course, not everyone is Lázaro, who is a “beast” when it comes to training. I always believed in him and I still do; I hope he continues to make me look good.
About this, I cannot help but talk about my wife. If we are going to discuss Lázaro Montes' achievements, we must talk about his mother, Martha Ileana Hernández. She has been our shoulder to cry on, a psychologist, and a primary teacher. Without her, we wouldn't have been able to be here.
When the signing with the Seattle Mariners happened, the path to professional baseball began. What do you remember about that moment?
The memory of that moment will be unforgettable; it was the end of a phase as a prospect and the beginning of a new one as a professional. It wasn't an easy task. Swapping the training I had received for a new one… and without me!
But, as great as he is, he adapted over time; that’s part of professionalism. He also had to get used to being away from us, from home. In Cuba, he was never even offered a scholarship at the EIDE.
Before reaching the Major Leagues, he had to go through the Minor Leagues, face difficult moments, learn, and wait for his opportunity. What did Triple-A teach him, in your opinion?
Not only in the AAA. Each stage of the Minor Leagues taught him something different, and each one has greatly benefited him for his time in the AAA, as well as his successful adaptation to the system, which prepared him for that great moment when he received the call to the big team: to enjoy the process, stay focused on the moment and place he is in, and have all the patience in the world to accomplish his goals.
I imagine Lachi has good friends who are baseball players. Do you know them?
Well, he has many teammates that he relates to a lot. There are actually quite a few. You see them outside of training or game time practicing soccer and baseball together, mainly. They organize some tournaments that are tougher than the MLB itself... hahaha. To mention a name, Maykel Arroyo is one of them, Colombian, they signed in the same year. Many times they are roommates, they have been together all the way to get here.
Now, in the big team, Lachi gets along well with everyone. Coaches, manager, teammates. They are like a family, and that is good.
I feel very happy with the organization of the Mariners, as they were the ones who gave him the opportunity to start his professional career and have treated him like a son from the very beginning.
I can assure you that Lázaro Montes is proud to be part of the wonderful organization of the Seattle Mariners, with his sights set on helping to win a World Series.
There are more than 30 Cubans in the MLB, and several hold privileged positions: Yordan Álvarez, Randy Arozarena, Andy Díaz, Raidel Iglesias, Miguel Antonio Vargas... Will Lázaro Montes join them in your perspective as a father?
Of course, absolutely. He will continue to grow; he’s only 21 years old. He is already shaping his future, but he has so much more ahead of him.
An increasing number of young baseball players are leaving Cuba in hopes of reaching MLB. Yosmel, as a coach and father, what advice do you give to those young kids and teenagers?
My advice is that it is indeed possible to achieve what one sets out to do; you just have to believe in yourselves, be disciplined, make sacrifices, and be demanding of yourselves. Learn as much as you can, and listen to what each coach tells you, regardless of how they say it, because the journey is long and tedious, but the sacrifice is well worth it.
"The fruit of victory lies in the sowing of sacrifice and discipline."
What is your biggest dream right now?
First of all, I want to tell you that my greatest dream is for my son to reach the Hall of Fame of the MLB, to pursue many records and achieve several World Series championships; to be with my family as much as possible to continue enjoying time with them, to have several grandchildren, and for my grandchildren to be good people, with strong social discipline and a good education.
Speaking of grandchildren, how is the "grandparenting"? Will you be training another fourth batter?
If it's up to me, of course, hahaha… Now, whether they are athletes or not will depend on them; they will have the final say. I would like them to follow in my footsteps and my son's; if that's the case, I am here to train them.
For now, the little one seems to be leaning a bit toward basketball; he prefers his hoop and basketball over the bat. Whatever it is, we will always support him.
I would like to express my gratitude to CiberCuba, especially to you, and I want to send a greeting and a hug to all my people from Barreras, my beloved town, where my son was born. Thank you all because I know you have enjoyed our successes greatly, particularly to two great brothers of my dad, Popi Domínguez and Jesús Rosabales, the lefty; to the coaches who guided Lázaro. Thanks to everyone; a big hug from Yosmel Montes, the happiest father in the world, and may God be with all of you.
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