Miami fans gave a standing ovation to Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman during the season opener between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins, sending a message to the Marlins' management about their failure to sign Cuban talent that could attract fans. The article criticizes the Marlins for missing opportunities to sign players like Chapman and José “Candelita” Iglesias, and for not paying attention to community relations. It also covers the upcoming MLB season, including Cuban players on various teams, and mentions a betting scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter.

Cuban baseball player Aroldis Chapman, known for his fast pitching, has signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2024 season, marking his sixth Major League team since his debut in 2010. Chapman, who has 321 career saves, may again become a valuable trade asset mid-season, similar to his previous year with the Kansas City Royals before being traded to the Texas Rangers, with whom he won the World Series. The article also discusses the Miami Marlins' missed opportunities to sign Cuban players who could boost attendance, such as Chapman and José Iglesias. Radio Martí plans to broadcast MLB games to Cuban audiences, with the season starting on March 28, 2024, and 18 Cuban players distributed among 14 teams.

Between 2016 and 2022, FIFA provided Cuba with eight million dollars, but there is little evidence of the investment's impact on football in the country. The FIFA financial report reveals that 900 thousand of these funds were used to pay Cuban Football Federation (FCF) officials, and questions arise about the disproportionate investment relative to the lack of football results. The report details spending on male and female teams, infrastructure repairs, and training, but the effectiveness of these expenditures is under scrutiny. The article also highlights the success of Cuban baseball players in MLB, contrasting it with the underperformance of football in Cuba. It includes the stories of successful Cuban athletes like Yordán Álvarez and Yariel Rodríguez in baseball, Ronel Blanco's no-hitter game, Erislandy Lara's boxing victory, and the strong start to the MLB season by Lourdes Gurriel Junior and Yandy Díaz.

On December 29, 1878, baseball was officially played in Cuba for the first time, marking the beginning of the Cuban Professional League. The inaugural game saw club Habana defeat Almendares 21-20. The league's establishment was part of a broader cultural embrace of baseball in Cuba, which was then a Spanish colony. The sport's popularity was tied to the pursuit of independence from Spain and the influence of the United States. The article also discusses the manipulation of baseball history by the Cuban government and the role of baseball in the country's post-revolutionary sports movement. Additionally, it covers recent developments in baseball, including Cuban pitcher Vladimir Gutiérrez's performance with the Miami Marlins and the Inter Miami soccer team's progress in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, featuring players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. signed a three-year, $42 million contract to stay with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was a key player in the team's World Series run. Other Cuban free agents include his brother Yuli, Yasmani Grandal, Aroldis Chapman, Jorge Soler, and Yariel Rodríguez. Adrián Morejón pitched for the San Diego Padres in the 2024 MLB season opener in Seoul. Vladimir Gutiérrez is showing promise with the Miami Marlins after a Tommy John surgery. Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez led Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Inter Miami lost its MLS unbeaten streak, falling 3-2 to Montreal.

Shohei Ohtani's unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which defers 97.1% of the payment until after the contract's end, could revolutionize future MLB contracts. The structure allows the Dodgers financial flexibility and alleviates their Competitive Balance Tax burden. The article also discusses the impact of Cuban players in MLB, the anticipation of Radio Martí's broadcasts of the 2024 MLB season to Cuban audiences, and the gambling scandal involving Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

Merryl Kelly led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 9-1 victory over the Texas Rangers, tying the World Series at one win each. Kelly's seven-inning performance limited the Rangers to one run and three hits. The Diamondbacks capitalized on small ball play, and despite a close game for the first two-thirds, they pulled away in the later innings. Notable performances included Gabriel Moreno's home run and Tommy Pham's four hits. The Diamondbacks aim to continue their success in the upcoming games in Phoenix. In other baseball news, Yariel Rodríguez is poised to join the Toronto Blue Jays after a strong Triple-A debut, and the Houston Astros' Ronel Blanco pitched a no-hitter against the Blue Jays. Cuban boxer Erislandy Lara successfully defended his title with a knockout win over Michael Zerafa. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has had a record-breaking start to the season with the Diamondbacks, while José Abreu and Yordán Alvarez of the Houston Astros have had slow starts.

The Philadelphia Phillies are one step away from advancing to the World Series after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 in the fifth game of the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Zack Wheeler pitched seven innings, and Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and JT Realmuto each hit home runs. The Phillies now lead the NLCS 3-2 and will return to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia needing one win in the next two games to secure their place in the World Series. The article also discusses the Miami Marlins' missed opportunities to sign Cuban players who could attract fans, and the MLB's season opening in Seoul, South Korea, with 18 Cuban players distributed among 14 teams.

The first phase of the MLB postseason ended swiftly with the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Miami Marlins being swept by the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively. The Rays and Blue Jays struggled offensively, while the Twins won their first postseason series in 21 years. The Diamondbacks celebrated their victory in Milwaukee, and the Phillies dominated the Marlins. Shohei Ohtani addressed a betting scandal involving his former interpreter. The 2024 MLB season opened in Seoul with Cuban pitcher Adrián Morejón playing for the San Diego Padres. The Miami Marlins may have found a pitching solution in Vladimir Gutiérrez. Inter Miami, with Messi and Suárez, advanced in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Aroldis Chapman signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, potentially as a trade asset for a postseason-contending team.

A team of Cuban baseball players exiled in the United States has been invited to participate in the Intercontinental Series in Colombia, scheduled between January 25 and February 1. The team will compete under the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (FEPCUBE), a new entity led by Mandy Llanes. The article also covers various baseball-related news, including Shohei Ohtani's denial of involvement in a betting scandal, Adrián Morejón's performance in the MLB 2024 season opener, Vladimir Gutiérrez's promising pre-season with the Miami Marlins, and Aroldis Chapman's new contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Additionally, it mentions Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez's successful partnership in Inter Miami's victory over Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Inter Miami missed Lionel Messi in their 5-2 defeat to Atlanta United in the MLS. Over 71,000 fans were disappointed by Messi's absence. Miami scored first with a goal by Leonardo Campana but Atlanta quickly equalized and took the lead. Miami is now penultimate in the standings with 28 points. In MLB news, San Diego Padres' Adrián Morejón pitched in the season opener in Seoul, marking his return from injury. The Miami Marlins signed Cuban pitcher Vladimir Gutiérrez, who is performing well in spring training. Inter Miami previously advanced in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with Messi and Luis Suárez leading a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC. Aroldis Chapman signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a setup man. Inter Miami lost their MLS unbeaten streak with a 3-2 defeat in Montreal, despite not fielding Messi, Suárez, or Sergio Busquets.

Cuba's team failed to hit against Japanese pitchers in their debut at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, losing 1-0. Luis Gurriel, cousin of MLB players Yuli and Lourdes Jr., pitched well despite the loss. Cuba now faces potential elimination and will play against the loser of the Curacao vs. Australia match. MLB players sent messages of support to the Cuban team. The Little League World Series has been held since 1947, with Cuba joining the competition in 2021. In other baseball news, Cuban pitcher Adrián Morejón played in the 2024 MLB season opener in Seoul, South Korea. Vladimir Gutiérrez is performing well in spring training for the Miami Marlins after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Aroldis Chapman signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2024 season. In soccer, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, advanced in the CONCACAF Champions Cup but later lost their MLS unbeaten streak in Montreal.

Inter Miami defeated Philadelphia Union 4-1, advancing to the Leagues Cup final where they will face Nashville SC. Lionel Messi continued his scoring streak, contributing to the victory. The article also discusses the performance of other players and teams, including a detailed account of MLB activities involving Cuban players like Adrián Morejón and Vladimir Gutiérrez. It concludes with a brief mention of Inter Miami's upcoming matches in the MLS and CONCACAF Champions League.