Last week Cuban Legend René Arocha threw out the first pitch at Busch Stadium during St. Louis’ 4-0 blanking of the Pirates. A Cuban-American Ryan Fernández caught his first pitch and also saw action on the day fanning two of three batters he faced.
Arocha was the first Cubans to flee from the Cuban National Team during an international event in 1991 opting to leave the communist island for freedom and eventually signing with the Cardinals. During his three seasons in St. Louis the right-hander posted an 18-17 record, including an 11-8 rookie season in 1993.
Last night I visited the right-hander at his home in Homestead, Florida and we spoke about an array of this that happened during his career. One of the most interesting details of our conversation was his dominance of the great Barry Bonds who hit .200 versus Arocha during his career.
You were selected to throw out the first pitch recently at a Cardinals game last week, how did that make you feel?
Imagine, it was something really exciting for me. After so many years being able to return to Busch Stadium, although it is not the same Busch Stadium but the new stadium. Seeing everyone there dressed as Cardinals, the way they welcomed me and me made me feel like I was back in my playing days.
The player who caught that pitch was a Cuban-American pitcher named Ryan Fernández. Did you talk to him or give him any advice?
No, we just exchanged a few words there at home plate. When I passed by him to pitch, I jokingly told him: “Get ready, I’m coming at 95 mph,” and he started laughing. It was a tremendous experience.
You were also invited to the team’s broadcast booth.What did they talk about that day, did they ask you about your good times…?
Well, we talked a little about everything there with Bengie Molina and the rest of the narrators. It was also a nice experience because we talked about the old-time baseball, since baseball has supposedly changed now. We were there for a couple of innings and we had a good time, they asked their questions and we remembered old times.
You were one of the few pitchers who had success against Barry Bonds. What was the secret to pitching to that great hitter?
I think I was lucky. He got two hits in ten at-bats against me, they were a double and a home run. So I’m on the list of those 700-odd home runs he hit. Right now I can’t tell you what I dominated it with, it may have been with a slider, or with a fastball. What I can tell you is that I was a pitcher who was aggressive. I didn’t put myself behind in the count and maybe that was part of the success. I would put him in two strike counts and he could no longer find the pitch he wanted to hit. Not only him, Tony Gwynn 1-for-11 against me ,too. So maybe it was that they got used to hitting comfortably in their counts and since I attacked them early, maybe that’s why they couldn’t have success against me.
Any weaknesses you’ve seen in both Bonds and Gwynn?
Well, how can I tell you: they didn’t have weaknesses. They were two hitters who had no holes. With any pitch, Bonds could hit a home run off you to the left or right field, and Gwynn made too much good contact against all the pitches. I think the key to success was coming at them quickly in each at-bat.
You are a legend for Cubans in exile because you were the first who said no to the regime and then opened the door for many others to leave in future years. How does that make you feel?
Well, I have always said that when I left Cuba in 1991 I did not leave thinking about playing baseball. I went out looking for my freedom like doctors, lawyers and everyone who was a professional was doing. Simply once I was here I tried to revalidate it and I did. I thought I wasn’t going to play baseball anymore because in Cuba at that time not much was known about the Major Leagues or American baseball. But well, it happened and then a door was opened for many to come out and show the world that Cuban baseball has talent and is of high quality. Just because the flow stopped in the 60’s Cuban baseball didn’t cease to exist.
Any advice for young players coming up to the Major Leagues these days?
Work hard, especially on the field. Have a lot of dedication and a lot of concentration. Don’t relax once you get money, keep trying to learn and get better everyday. Sometimes they guarantee their contracts and then the result on the field is not the same after that.