The Tampa Bay Rays traveled to Cuba to play the Cuban National Team in Havana on Tuesday, as a symbol of the newly normalized relations between the United States and Cuba, and the pageantry was cooler than anyone really imagined. US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro were both in attendance.
President Obama arrived at Estadio Latinoamericano shortly before first pitch and joyfully greeted Cuban president Raul Castro, Jackie Robinson’s widow Rachel, and shortstop-turned-Player’s-Tribune-editor Derek Jeter.
POTUS has arrived at El Estadio Latinoamericano. pic.twitter.com/PvV8kTuavu
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 22, 2016
a budding journalist getting an exclusive with the President pic.twitter.com/eXq9ROPoAl
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) March 22, 2016
President Obama @POTUS says hello to Jackie Robinson's widow Rachel. #Rays #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/ID9J0BKHCF
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) March 22, 2016
.@POTUS joins the crowd in Havana. #MLBinCuba pic.twitter.com/kqQfloAvKP
— MLB (@MLB) March 22, 2016
As lineups were announced, players on both teams came out of the dugout holding hands with Cuban children. A choir performed both the American and Cuban national anthems, and a flock of pigeons was released into the air (which was cooler than it sounds!). The Rays went over to Obama’s seat behind home plate to shake hands with the president, which Chris Archer took full advantage of, holding a lengthy conversation with Barack and Michelle.
Chris Archer stealing all the time with Obama. Even found a way to give him his glove. #Rays #Cuba pic.twitter.com/6600eeBLJU
— Comiskey Park Hitmen (@CPHSox) March 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/BBTN/status/712340115989897216
Then the game started, with Cuban defector Dayron Varona leading off for Tampa and popping up the first pitch. Some time during the first inning, we got the real highlight of the afternoon, as Obama (and Castro) joined in on the wave. Obama — who was looking sharp in those shades — went full “awkward dad” mode, while Castro was more of an oblivious grandpa.
https://twitter.com/JoePerticone/status/712344357358149634
Love or hate the wave, love or hate the president, love or hate Cuba, this is all pretty cool.
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About Alex Putterman
Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.