Dairon Blanco of the Kansas City Royals, is playing in his third season in the Major Leagues and his team has a good chance of making the playoffs on the current baseball season. Originally from Camagüey, Cuba, the speedy outfielder was interviewed Martí Noticias, regarding the celebration of Hispanic Heritage at Yankee Stadium in New York and the series against the Bronx Bombers.
Over the last month Blanco has been on a tear hitting a robust .350 over that time, has stolen 12 bases over than span and is slashing .400/.622/1.022. The pinch-runner extraordinaire has expanded his role with his recent hot streak and could be an interesting piece in the playoffs for this young team.
Blanco is hitting .265 and has stolen 28 bases on the season, first amongst Cubans on the grand stage. Eight of Blanco’s 31 hits have gone for extra-bases and has also scored 35 times on the campaign. Regardless of how the season ends expect Blanco to see action in the Dominican Winter League with the Estrellas Orientales.
Being a player who doesn’t play every day, you take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. How does it feel to be on a team that is in the playoff race?
“First of all, thank you for the interview. I am happy with the things that are happening so far in my sports career and with the team as well, because we are in the fight to reach the playoffs. We are all focused on doing well what we have to do”
Yuli Gurriel was acquired recently, you played with him in Cuba, tell us about that moment in your career?
At that time I was playing in the Camagüey . Lázaro Vargas chose me as a reinforcement for Industriales, I was barely 20 years old and I was surprised to see so many stars on that team. I was excited to meet the Gurriel brothers, all three of them, and when Yuli arrived in Kansas City I welcomed him with open arms. I was very surprised, but at the same time I was happy because he was the piece we needed. Yuli has a lot of experience, especially in the playoffs and knows what it is like to win a World Series.”
Maybe many people don’t know that Cuban baseball players in the major leagues are very united. What does Yuli Gurriel mean to Cuban baseball players?
“Personally, I feel proud to share a team with him because he has a lot of experience in baseball. We talk a lot about an array of topics when I have the opportunity.”