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By Kevin Baxter. Kbaxter@herald.com. Posted on Wed, Oct.
02, 2002 in The Miami Herald.
José Ariel Contreras, the ace of the Cuban national team pitching
staff, was reported missing Tuesday during the Serie de las Americas in
Saltillo, Mexico, and is believed to have defected.
A seven-year veteran of the island's powerful team, Contreras, 30, has a
lifetime record of 117-50 and a 2.82 ERA in the Cuban league. Last season he won
13 of 17 decisions, with a league-best 1.76 ERA.
A 6-4, 224-pound right-hander with a 93-mph fastball and a darting forkball,
Contreras is best known in the U.S. for the eight shutout innings he pitched
against the Baltimore Orioles during a nationally televised exhibition game in
Havana three years ago.
In that game, Contreras allowed two hits and struck out 10, including Albert
Belle twice.
Technical adviser Miguel Valdes, a former manager of the Cuban national
team, was also reported missing and is believed to have defected with Contreras.
''I'd be shocked if he wasn't in big demand around Major League Baseball,''
Syracuse, N.Y.-based agent Joe Kehoskie, who has represented a number of Cuban
defectors, said of Contreras. "He could pitch in the big leagues upon
arrival in the United States.''
The Cuban government did not consider Contreras a threat to defect and has
never limited his travel during his seven years with the national team. In fact,
earlier this week a Cuban radio station from Contreras' home province of Piñar
del Río printed the transcript of an interview with the pitcher on its
website. In the interview, Contreras said he turned down a $50 million offer to
defect earlier in his career.
''For this sum, nor any other, would I turn my back on my family, on my
people, or on my homeland,'' he was quoted as saying. "I have a lot of
respect, confidence and admiration for Fidel [Castro].''
Mexico and Cuba were undefeated through four games in the 11-team tournament
entering Tuesday night's play.
Herald staff writer Orlando Aloma contributed to this report. | 
