Roenis Elías: “The World Classic is another of my most desired horizons, I long to arrive and look good.

I am super anxious for the moment to arrive and fill the Cuban people with joy”.

Photo: MLB.

Through social networks we undertook the task of contacting the outstanding left-handed pitcher Roenis Elías on the occasion of his inclusion in the Cuba team that will take part in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, hoping that he would distance himself from us by attending to his excellent service sheet, but nothing could be further from reality.

This high-carat pitcher gave us total and utter confidence from the first word we crossed and the idea of ​​an interview came to life.

Elías has an admirable sports career, since in the best baseball in the world (the American MLB) he has left an imprint and a legacy of respect, since in the seven years of his time on these mounds he has a record of 22 wins and 24 setbacks, with a 3.96 earned run average seeing action in the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals, the ninth with which he won a World Series title.

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs team took an interest in the man from Guantanamo and offered him a return to the Major Leagues after a hermetic season in the Dominican league.

But let the protagonist narrate his adventures and feelings.

Here are Roenis Elías' answers to our questions.

Memories that come to the mind of Roenis Elías when he travels to his childhood in his native Guantanamo.

How were his beginnings in baseball?

–My memories of Guantánamo are beautiful, it is something that will accompany me throughout my life and I thank all those who took part in my formation.

There were complex moments but the family was the refuge in the face of problems.

I remember the first coaches who trusted in my talent and I always mention Osvaldo Duvergel, Alfonso Llibanes, Yosvanis Castañeda and Celso Suárez.

I still see myself in the Armando Vera stadium training hard to achieve my dreams.

I also remember the indescribable joy I felt when I pitched in a youth national team representing my province and even more so when I was able to reach the National Series.

They are pieces of my history that complement who I am today.

Who do you thank in your sports training?

Names you should mention as a token of gratitude?

–First of all I thank God for giving me this talent for baseball.

A very important person was my cousin Ricardo Leliebre, because he took me to a baseball field for the first time and what I observed struck me immediately, it was like love at first sight.

My whole family was a fundamental pillar in my beginnings, my mom and dad became true magicians, because the economic situation was not the most favorable and shortages were everyday things, but the will and love for this beautiful sport always helped me. They stayed afloat despite adverse circumstances.

Working as a pitcher for seven years in the Major Leagues is synonymous with quality and perseverance, and even more so when that performance played a leading role in first-rate teams.

What can Roenis tell us about that experience that for many is an impossible dream to fulfill?

Memorable moments in that demanding baseball?

–Many times it seems incredible to me when I look at what I have humbly been able to achieve, but I am extremely proud of that.

I thank God once again for everything I have achieved in my pursuit of this sport.

Getting to the Major Leagues meant a desire from a very young age, it was a goal that I saw as a bit far away, but I would not give up so easily without trying to achieve it.

To all the MLB teams that trusted me I send my deepest bows, thank you for giving wings to my dreams.

I had many memorable moments, but if I have to choose one, I'll take the World Series obtained as part of the Washington Nationals.

It's like reaching a peak in which you feel accomplished, but then you realize that it's just a link, that you must keep working hard to continue bringing joy to all baseball fans.

Difficult situations in the sporting life of Roenis Elías that made him hesitate for a second and jeopardize his continuity in baseball.

–I have had very difficult moments, but without a doubt there was one in which I even doubted my permanence in this sport.

It happened when I had to go into the operating room for Tommy John surgery on my throwing arm.

These were times of uncertainty and sadness.

The recovery of a year and a half seemed like an eternity to me.

Pessimistic feelings attacked my mind and it hurt me, because my two children are the main thing in my existence and baseball is my job and my livelihood.

I really don't want to reminisce about that time, but thank God I was able to recover and pitch at a high level of effectiveness again.

I take this moment to thank everyone who sent me messages of support in those dark hours, although I didn't reply to many, I did read each one, and they contributed to giving me new energy.

After an impressive stint in the Dominican league, where the dominance over rival hitters was almost absolute, a MLB team trusts you once again.

Expectations for this new chapter in your existence?

–Yes, it really is another chapter of my life that I keep with love and a lot of respect.

The Dominican league welcomed me and I was able to show that I still have a lot to offer on a pitching mound.

Regarding this new opportunity in the MLB, I give a million thanks to the Chicago Cubs organization for thinking that I can be useful to them.

Returning to the MLB is a gift that life has given me, I will try to do my best to repay that confidence with good performances.

The upcoming World Baseball Classic has aroused great interest among Cuban fans, since for the first time a historic step is taken by having players from the MLB system.

You are one of the fundamental pillars in Cuba's pitching

staff

. How do you see the team in a general sense?

How far do you think they are able to advance?

–The World Classic is another of my most desired horizons, I long to arrive and look good.

I am super anxious for the moment to arrive and fill the Cuban people with joy.

I see the solid Cuban team, many other players who were not called up would have formed an even stronger team, but I am sure that this one has the quality to leave marks in that event.

I think it was a wise decision to allow players like us to join the national team call.

I don't know how far we're going to go, but we'll try to go game by game, seeking to advance as much as possible.

From my point of view, if the batting responds our options multiply, because I see a

staff

very strong pitching.

I will try to fulfill the function assigned to me and I will give all my efforts to do my bit in this task.

Before I retired, I wanted to represent my home country in these types of events and now I have been given that opportunity.

I will fight to provide good performances and from now on I am preparing myself with that objective.

Message to the people of Cuba who greatly appreciate the gesture of joining this journey in search of returning the glories of yesteryear to Cuban baseball.

–Thanks to all the Cuban people for supporting us, we know the responsibility that we have on our shoulders and that those fans have been waiting for a joy for years.

A hug from me reaches every Cuban, we will try to make every corner of our country vibrate with the World Classic.

I always keep Cuba in mind and I am proud of my land.

Let's hope this is just the beginning of new conquests for baseball on the Island, many need it since

strikes

, hits and fielding are inherent in the soul of Cubans.

***

Once again, our bows to this athlete, thank you for your words for all the baseball fans.

We'll be with him with our thoughts on the World Classic, pushing the ball further for

out

after

out

.

Roenis knows that his pitches carry millions of hopes.

Thanks for the interview champ.

May the triumphs be present both in your athletic and personal life.

Blessings.

(Taken from deporCUBA)