4th member of Cuban baseball delegation defects to U.S.

The Cuban govt is doing too many things wrong for the few things they do well. Cuba has the highest literacy in the world and Cubans all have access to the same health care, which isn't bad, just not great.

Alas, rather than become a democracy and capitalist country, the rulers there won't release their hold on power.

If Cuba had friendly relations with the US, life there would certainly improve, if only from access to newer vehicles, more protein sources, became available. There are families split just like in NK/SK where families are split.

Deranged leftist logic: but why would anyone want to leave an innocent glorious communist/ paradise were everyone is equal .

gaicuckojinToday  11:53 am JST

Deranged leftist logic: but why would anyone want to leave an innocent glorious communist/ paradise were everyone is equal .

Everyone is equal but some are more equal than others. This 'communist' false paradise is not what Marx envisioned at all. If it was there would be no defectors.

And if these Communist yahoos truly followed Marx's theory, it would apply for the world 'and the state would wither away'. And Marx strongly opposed personality cults.

And we see today that a fourth Cuban ball player has seen thru the lies. Good for him.

I love the Cubans I have met, but I feel so bad for them, it's a really hard life for them over there. Not only do they have the horrible USA blockade to deal with, but they also have their own government not helping them when they can but taking all the credit and glory if they do the bare minimum. A doctor can make less money than a taxi driver. The people remain so cheerful, friendly and kind in the face of power shortages, food shortages, hurricanes, lack of money or government support, and now coronavirus. I have so much respect for their resilience. At the same time, I cannot blame any Cubans for defecting! It is such a hard life.

Breaking contracts with Japan because they can make even more in the US?

Pure greed which makes it even harder for other Cubans to play in Japan.

Who raised, nurturedand trained these Cuban players to this level? Oh I see, they were just born great athletes.

I am concerned for their loved ones back home. The Communist government will do things to punish their families - their parents, their siblings, even their grandparents - for the crime of defecting. It has always been a tool in the toolbox in order to deter others. "There have to be consequences" (or everyone else will try to leave too.)

Have any of you commentators been to Cuba? I have, and I've been invited into the homes of several Cubans not only in its cities but also in the country, away from tourist-type places. Regardless of the odd comment here about its healthcare and education systems (and the really LOW punch about greedy baseball players) it's a failed state. The facade is easy to see through, if you spend any time there.

At 35 he is a wash!!! I don't think any major league team will big him up. If anything he will h ave to prove what he can do at the AAA level.

@TrevorPeace

Yes I have been to Cuba and so have lots of my friends. It is a popular winter tourist destination where I come from.

I have also visited many other Carribean and central American countries.

Compared to many of those, Cubans are well fed, well educated and have a world class medical system. Good baseball players also!

Amazing when you consider the US trade embargo all these decades.