This past Friday marked a significant low point for Cuban baseball, as the national team failed to secure a medal at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. In the bronze medal match, Cuba suffered a 9-1 loss to Puerto Rico, relegating them to a fourth-place finish.
The last time Cuba left this tournament without a podium finish was in 1966 in San Juan, a year in which they paradoxically won the gold. Since that time, Cuba has amassed a total of 15 golds, three silvers, and one bronze in the Central American and Caribbean baseball circuit, establishing itself as the historic powerhouse of the competition.
Unpredictable Journey to a Disappointing Outcome
Cuba's path to this outcome was anything but smooth. Under the leadership of Germán Mesa, the team initially performed well, advancing undefeated in the group stage by defeating Curacao (4-1), Puerto Rico (4-0), and the Dominican Republic (9-6). However, the super round marked a turning point as they fell to both Panama (2-6) and Nicaragua (5-6), which dashed their hopes of reaching the final and forced them to compete for third place.
In the crucial match against Puerto Rico—a team they had previously shut out—Cuba's pitching faltered, allowing 13 hits and nine runs, compounded by a defense riddled with errors. The podium was ultimately topped by Panama (gold), Nicaragua (silver), and Puerto Rico (bronze).
Manager Addresses Team's Shortcomings
Speaking to the press, Mesa offered no excuses for the team's performance. "The pitching did not meet expectations, neither the starter nor the reliever; combined with defensive lapses, winning becomes extremely difficult," the manager told JIT after the game.
When questioned about the team's motivation levels, Mesa firmly dismissed any lack thereof. "We were motivated to fight for the bronze medal, to keep our baseball on the podium. What happened was exactly what I mentioned—when those two elements fail, there's nothing you can do," he explained.
Mesa also stood by his team selection for the tournament, stating, "If I had to pick a team for these Games again, I would choose the same players," while acknowledging the need for greater depth in the pitching roster.
Decline Amid Broader Trends
This result marks Cuba's most adverse outcome in this competition, and it is part of a sustained decline: the national team has not secured a gold medal since Veracruz 2014, where they beat Nicaragua 9-3 in the final. In the subsequent events, Barranquilla 2018 and San Salvador 2023, they earned silver. Moreover, Puerto Rico has defeated Cuba in critical matchups in the last three tournaments.
This decline occurs against a backdrop of a broader trend: the massive exodus of Cuban baseball players to foreign professional leagues has gradually depleted the talent pool available for the national team.
"There's always a first time, and it happened under my watch; it could have happened to anyone else. However, I can assure you that we never stopped aspiring to victory," concluded Mesa, who was appointed as the team's manager in June 2025, with a contract extending to 2028.
Cuban Baseball's Challenges and Future
What was the outcome for Cuba in the recent Central American and Caribbean Games?
Cuba finished in fourth place, missing out on a medal after losing to Puerto Rico 9-1 in the bronze medal match.
When was the last time Cuba failed to reach the podium in this tournament?
The last time Cuba did not secure a podium finish was in 1966, despite winning gold that year.
What factors contributed to Cuba's poor performance in the tournament?
The team's performance was hindered by inadequate pitching and defensive errors, as highlighted by their manager, Germán Mesa.