This Thursday, Santiago de Cuba's Provincial Sports Directorate announced the immediate removal of Eddy Cajigal García as the manager of the Santiago Wasps, following a series of technical misconducts during the ongoing 64th National Baseball Series (SNB).
This decision comes after the team improperly fielded a player for the fifth time, a situation that authorities have deemed "unacceptable," jeopardizing the integrity of the tournament.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the sports entity acknowledged the outgoing manager's dedication, highlighting his sacrifice and commitment, even when working while ill, amidst the province's challenging sanitary conditions due to circulating viruses and the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Despite these acknowledgments, they admitted that the management team "has failed to fulfill its role" in this Series, regardless of past progress in recent editions and in the Elite Baseball League (LEB).
The authorities clarified that, despite the trust placed by sports specialists, the Provincial Baseball Commission, and the INDER, Cajigal's leadership had reached a breaking point.
"The failure to implement measures to prevent further occurrences of misconduct and rule violations is unacceptable," the statement emphasized.
The resolution designates bench coach Idalberto Lamothe Lombart to take over leadership of the team until the end of this phase.
A Season Marked by Scandal One of the most embarrassing episodes occurred Wednesday at the Latin American Stadium during a game against Industriales.
Santiago de Cuba lost 6-3, but even in victory, they would have lost by forfeiture for using Carlos Monier as a pinch hitter, who was not listed as available in the official game documents, according to the CubaSí portal.
The specialized portal Swing Completo detailed that the use of an improper player caused discontent within the team itself: several players initially refused to return to the field, and others openly protested against the management, as seen in the televised broadcast.
The same source indicated that some players initially "forgave" Cajigal in a post-game meeting, where supposedly another chance was considered.
However, the Provincial Sports Directorate's publication denied any possibility of reconsideration.
"Another scandal in Cuban baseball, which surprises daily with new news... almost all of bad taste," the outlet concluded.
A Reflection of Cuba's Sports Crisis Cajigal's dismissal is not an isolated incident.
Technical irregularities, repeated misconduct, and tension between players and directors are visible symptoms of the deep crisis facing Cuban sports.
Baseball, regarded as the national sport, is not immune to resource shortages, infrastructure deterioration, lack of proper equipment, and the constant emigration of talent.
The Santiago statement referred—without explicitly mentioning—the challenging material and sanitary conditions under which sports personnel operate, describing a reality where coaches work even when sick, affected like any citizen by circulating viruses and the aftermath of a hurricane.
The downfall of one of Cuba's most iconic baseball teams and the controversial exit of its sports director bring to light an unavoidable debate: Cuban baseball, like the rest of sports in Cuba, is at a crossroads that can no longer be hidden behind rhetoric of sacrifice but demands profound changes both on and off the field.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Baseball
What led to Eddy Cajigal's removal as manager?
Eddy Cajigal was removed due to repeated technical misconducts, including improperly fielding a player multiple times, which undermined the tournament's integrity.
Who will take over the management of the Santiago Wasps?
Bench coach Idalberto Lamothe Lombart will assume the role of manager for the Santiago Wasps until the current phase of the series concludes.
What broader issues does this incident highlight in Cuban baseball?
The incident highlights broader issues such as technical irregularities, resource shortages, infrastructure decay, and tension between players and management, reflecting a deep crisis in Cuban sports.