Villa Clara Naranjas
Encyclopedia
Villa Clara is a baseball
team in the Cuban National Series
. Based in Santa Clara
, the Naranjas (Orange) or Azucareros (Sugar-makers) have been one of the league's most successful squads over the last 30 years, winning championships in 1983, as well as three year run from 1993, 1994 and 1995. They also lost the 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2010 finals to Industriales
. Orange, White and Black are their colors, although they have three differents colors the Orange is what represent them, though teams like Sancti Spíritus Gallos
also have Orange uniforms. Four Villa Clara players (Ariel Borrero
, Luis Borroto
, Eduardo Paret
and Ariel Pestano
) were on Cuba
's roster at the 2006 World Baseball Classic
.
Four Villa Clara players (Eduardo Paret
, Ariel Pestano
, Leonys Martín
and Yolexis Ulacia) were on Cuba
's roster at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
to try to play in the Major Leagues.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team in the Cuban National Series
Cuban National Series
The Cuban National Series is the primary domestic amateur baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban national baseball system.-League structure:...
. Based in Santa Clara
Santa Clara, Cuba
Santa Clara is the capital city of the Cuban province of Villa Clara. It is located in the most central region of the province and almost in the most central region of the country.- History :Santa Clara was founded by 175 people on July 15th, 1689...
, the Naranjas (Orange) or Azucareros (Sugar-makers) have been one of the league's most successful squads over the last 30 years, winning championships in 1983, as well as three year run from 1993, 1994 and 1995. They also lost the 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2010 finals to Industriales
Industriales
Industriales is a baseball team in the Cuban National Series. One of the two teams based in the city of Havana, Industriales is historically the most successful team in the National Series, the main domestic competition in post-revolutionary Cuban baseball...
. Orange, White and Black are their colors, although they have three differents colors the Orange is what represent them, though teams like Sancti Spíritus Gallos
Sancti Spíritus Gallos
Sancti Spíritus is a baseball team in the Cuban National Series. Sancti Spíritus, nicknamed the Gallos won the series championship in 1978–79...
also have Orange uniforms. Four Villa Clara players (Ariel Borrero
Ariel Borrero
Ariel Borrero Alfonso is the starting first baseman for the Cuban national baseball team and for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series....
, Luis Borroto
Luis Borroto
Luis Borroto Jiménez is a Cuban baseball player. A pitcher with Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, Borroto played for the Cuban national baseball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 World Baseball Classic.-References:...
, Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team....
and Ariel Pestano
Ariel Pestano
Ariel Pestano Valdés , better known as El Veterano , is a Cuban baseball catcher, and is known as one of the greatest catchers in Cuban history. He has won both silver and gold medals in the Olympic Games and also played catcher on Cuba's World Baseball Classic team in March 2006 and March 2009...
) were on Cuba
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
's roster at the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
.
Four Villa Clara players (Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team....
, Ariel Pestano
Ariel Pestano
Ariel Pestano Valdés , better known as El Veterano , is a Cuban baseball catcher, and is known as one of the greatest catchers in Cuban history. He has won both silver and gold medals in the Olympic Games and also played catcher on Cuba's World Baseball Classic team in March 2006 and March 2009...
, Leonys Martín
Leonys Martín
Leonys Martín Tápanes is a Cuban baseball player. He defected from Cuba at the 2010 FISU World University Championships in Taiwan in order to become a Major League Baseball free agent....
and Yolexis Ulacia) were on Cuba
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
's roster at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
History
Villa Clara was known as the Azucareros (sugar-makers) at that time there were Provincias of Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus and Villa Clara all as one single team. The name Azucareros (sugar-makers) was to represent the workers of all Sugar Mills of Cuba. Under the name Azucareros (Sugar-makers) won three championships (1969) (1971) (1972). After the separation of the teams Villa Clara became (Las naranjas mecánica) or (Las naranjas explosivas) which are other nicknames (but not official), with the new change Villa Clara won the series in (1983) led by Eduardo Martín Saura and three consecutive years(1993) (1994) (1995) led by Pedro Jova.Pitchers
- 15 Freddy Asiel Álvarez
- 14 Rogelio Carrillo
- 26 Luis Borroto
- 92 Yolexis Ulacia
- 48 Misael Siverio
- 19 Yasmani Hernández Romero
- 56 Yosvani Pérez Torres
- 76 Yuliét López
- 90 Yasmani Hernández Rojas
- 88 Yasmani Junquera
- 41 Alain Sánchez
- 74 Yurién Vizcaino
- 46 Yamián Hourrutinier
- 95 Yoandy Fernández
- 43 Diosdani Castillo
Infielders
- 13 Ariel PestanoAriel PestanoAriel Pestano Valdés , better known as El Veterano , is a Cuban baseball catcher, and is known as one of the greatest catchers in Cuban history. He has won both silver and gold medals in the Olympic Games and also played catcher on Cuba's World Baseball Classic team in March 2006 and March 2009...
- 64 Yulexis la Rosa
- 45 Yuselvis Águila rookieRookieRookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
- 53 Ariel BorreroAriel BorreroAriel Borrero Alfonso is the starting first baseman for the Cuban national baseball team and for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series....
- 51 Yuniel Cabrera
- 63 Yandry Canto
- 11 Yeniét Pérez
- 2 Eduardo ParetEduardo ParetEduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team....
- 6 Aledmis Díaz
- 7 Yaxiel Quirós
- 1 Yandy Díaz
- 57 Jefferson Delgado
Outfilders
- 66 Ramón Lunar
- 3 Andy Zamora
- 67 Yuniet Flores
- 35 Dián Toscano
- 4 Alejandro García rookieRookieRookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
Cuban National Series MVPs
- Modesto Verdura PPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Azucareros - Antonio Muñoz 1BFirst basemanFirst base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Azucareros - Isidro PérezIsidro PerezIsidro Pérez was a Mexican boxer in the Lightweight division. Pérez is a former two-time WBO Flyweight Champion.-Professional career:...
PPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Azucareros - Amado Zamora RFRight fielderA right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Villa Clara - Oscar Machado LFLeft fielderIn baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Villa Clara
Other notable players
- Aquino Abreu (pitcher)
- Jorge DíazJorge DiazJorge Diaz is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at Texas A&M-Kingsville.Diaz also played for the Dallas Cowboys....
- Pedro Jova (shortstop)
- Angel LópezÁngel LópezÁngel Domingo López Ruano, simply Ángel , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF. An offensive right back, he can also operate as a midfielder.-Club career:...
- Víctor MesaVíctor MesaVictor Mesa Martínez is a Cuban baseball player and Olympic gold medalist.Mesa is a one time Gold medalist for baseball, winning at the 1992 Summer Olympics.-External links:*...
(outfield) - Alberto Martínez (catcher)
- Silvio Montejo (outfield)
- Eliecer Montes de OcaEliecer Montes de OcaEliecer Montes de Oca Fleitas is a Cuban baseball player and Olympic gold medalist.Eliecer Montes de Oca is a one time Gold medalist for baseball, winning at the 1996 Summer Olympics.-External links:*...
(pitcher) - Eduardo ParetEduardo ParetEduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team....
(shortstop) - Lázaro Pérez (catcher)
- Ariel PestanoAriel PestanoAriel Pestano Valdés , better known as El Veterano , is a Cuban baseball catcher, and is known as one of the greatest catchers in Cuban history. He has won both silver and gold medals in the Olympic Games and also played catcher on Cuba's World Baseball Classic team in March 2006 and March 2009...
(catcher) - José Ramón Riscart
- José Riveira
- Eddy Rojas (outfield)
- Reinaldo Santana
- Jorge TocaJorge TocaJorge Luis Toca is a former professional baseball player. He played with the New York Mets from 1999-2001. He is tall and weighs . He plays first base and outfield. He bats and throws right-handed. He is mostly remembered for losing grip and letting his bat fly into the stands after swings on...
- Rolando ArrojoRolando ArrojoLuis Rolando Arrojo Avila was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched from to .Arrojo made his mark with the teams from Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series, where he still is the all-time leader in hit batsmen. He was the staff ace on the Villa Clara team that won 3 consecutive Cuban...
- Ariel BorreroAriel BorreroAriel Borrero Alfonso is the starting first baseman for the Cuban national baseball team and for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series....
(first baseman) - Luis BorrotoLuis BorrotoLuis Borroto Jiménez is a Cuban baseball player. A pitcher with Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, Borroto played for the Cuban national baseball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 World Baseball Classic.-References:...
(pitcher) - Andy Zamora
- Leonys MartinLeonys MartínLeonys Martín Tápanes is a Cuban baseball player. He defected from Cuba at the 2010 FISU World University Championships in Taiwan in order to become a Major League Baseball free agent....
- Luis Jova
Emigrants
Several Villa Clara players have left CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
to try to play in the Major Leagues.
- Rolando ArrojoRolando ArrojoLuis Rolando Arrojo Avila was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched from to .Arrojo made his mark with the teams from Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series, where he still is the all-time leader in hit batsmen. He was the staff ace on the Villa Clara team that won 3 consecutive Cuban...
- Yuniesky BetancourtYuniesky BetancourtYuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
- Liván HernándezLiván HernándezEisler Liván Hernández Carrera is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher. He is the half-brother of pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández.-Playing career:...
- Dayán ViciedoDayán ViciedoDayán Viciedo Pérez is a Cuban baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization...
- won Serie de nacional Championships in 1969, 1971,1972.