Location Santiago de Cuba 2005–06 56–34 (1st, Group D) Founded 1977 | Nickname(s) Avispas (Wasps) Manager Luis Danilo Larduet League Cuban National Series | |
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Ballpark Estadio Guillermón Moncada League championships 1980, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008(8) Arena/Stadium Estadio Guillermón Moncada Year founded 1977–78 Cuban National Series | ||
Santiago de Cuba is a baseball team in the Cuban National Series based in Estadio Guillermón Moncada in Santiago de Cuba. The Avispas (Wasps) are historically one of the most successful teams in the National Series, the main domestic competition in post-revolutionary Cuban baseball. The team is similar to the Boston Red Sox in MLB in the sense that they have fans all over the country (especially in the east), and are the eternal rivals of Industriales, the New York Yankees of Cuban baseball. The traditional rivalry on the baseball diamond also represents the rivalry between the two cities (La Habana and Santiago de Cuba) dating back to the era when Cuba was a colony of Spain two centuries ago. The Super Classic of the Cuban National Series between Santiago de Cuba and Industriales takes place six times per season.
The Avispas (Wasps) won three straight titles during the seasons ending in 1999, 2000, and 2001. The club also won the title during the season ending in 2008.
Santiago de Cuba sent only one player to the 2006 World Baseball Classic, pitcher Ormari Romero. But to the 2009 World Baseball Classic Santiago de Cuba sent Luis Miguel Navas,Norge Luis Vera,Hector Olivera and Rolando Meriño. Santiago's 2007 final series championship was especially satisfying because it occurred against traditional rival Industriales (in six games).