His battings still resonate in the premises of most of the stadiums in the nation, and even beyond national borders. Idolized by fans who will never forget his name, Orestes Kindelán is a perennial symbol of Cuban sports.
He is a living legend in the sport of balls and strikes that won "a batazos" epithets that today mark him as "The Drum Major" or "The Mountain Lion".
Tributes will never be enough for the devoted athlete that wrote one of the most glorious pages of the ball in the Greater Antilles.
What is the origin of Orestes Kindelán Olivares?
I was born on November 1, 1964 in the Santiago municipality of Palma Soriano, and since childhood I was always very naughty, but my childhood was normal.
I used to play on a baseball field in Dos Rios, until fortunately a coach noticed that I had conditions to be a baseball player. He called me to do the tests, but I decided to become intern in a school in the countryside finished sixth grade and practiced no more baseball.
There I signed up for the volleyball team, and even integrate the regular team. At that time I remember a local baseball tournament held in Palma Soriano and I came as a volleyball player, but the coaches leading the championship told me: 'You are a baseball player. I played at the Sports Cauto, in my home town. In two games I hit two home runs, only two hits I connected. After that I was selected and moved to the provincial EIDE, where I really trained like baseball.
What influenced had your family environment with the passion for baseball?
The family environment is always important, my parents always supported me in everything and EIDE was constant monitoring by both. If I didn´t have weekends out , they came to see me, to bring me food, laundry, those details parents care about in addition to the concern that all goes well both academically and athletically. So transited life until I went to Manuel Fajardo Sport University, where I graduated of physical education teacher and continue the degree.
-In That time, which or whom were your preferred baseball players?
In my childhood I fixed a lot in Armando Capiró, he had a great swing, incredible strength, and extraordinary courage for any pitcher, plus they implanted respect for what he did on the field. I was also lucky to see Antonio Muñoz, Pedro Jose Rodriguez and Luis Giraldo Casanova in full authority, but always I followed Capiró.
In what way and when you get to the first team of Santiago de Cuba?
I participated in training to join the team of Santiago de Cuba and did not choose me because I was very bad, I do not even connect any hit. I remember THAT Manuel Millares was the coach and I did not call the first team of the territory. The next year I played provincial, I was fine with Palma Soriano and was leading in most offensive departments, then I did integrate the team of Santiago de Cuba, and that same year in the National Series, I participated in the World Junior Barquisimeto , Venezuela, in 1982.
Why you chose the number 46 for your back?
The first uniform I got in the national team had the number 46. Even when I started in Santiago de Cuba and shot thirty homers with the Serranos I had the number 10 on my back. But by integrating the national team for the elderly, the following year I changed for the 46th, which I used in the provincial team and the "Cuba". Many players even asked me "permission" to use the number in the National Series, and I always told them that they did not get me wrong, for people to always remember that this is an issue of respect.
-What experiences do you preserves of the "Santiago steamroller"?
It was an unforgettable experience and that only happens when you're surrounded by quality players, wanting to do things right and to respond with pride the name of Santiago de Cuba. Our team has always been fighting against the capital, although Pinar del Rio and Villa Clara always got a good series, but the "classic" is with Industriales, and we had the good fortune to defeat them twice for attaining two championships in the Latin American Stadium. The " steamroller" meant a lot to me, and I think for all of Cuba, we made people believe a true story, the teams set goals and can achieve, especially when you see a crowd shouting " walk it, "I think the greatest satisfaction was to please all that public.
-Worlwide you Participated in seven Intercontinental Cups, 4 Central, 6 World, 4 and 3 Pan American Games. Tell me about your experience with the Cuban team.
Representing the country is a dream that every athlete has, and then to be there to do my best. For me it was the greatest thing to represent Cuba, to raise the flag with a gold medal internationally, and that is the greatest honor for a Cuban regardless of the place it is. Despite being such a small island, it is a value we have left over, it is a value that no one has and that's why we are recognized worldwide. Were unique moments: playing in the first Cuban team that won the Olympics, leadership batting, with colleagues who loved what they did and that will always be etched in my memory.
Do you feel that you stood to win a title with the Cuba team?
Sure, I was not lucky enough to participate in a WBC, and without neglecting the quality of the teams that have represented us in those tournaments, I think the players of my generation we could win because we had sufficient quality.
What pitcher made you more harm?
To me hurt me pitchers not throwing strikes, precisely because of the anxiety of wanting to hit, as I always lived on the offensive trying to focus on hitting, without feeling small or large before any pitcher, my job was always trying to help my team.
-Of The four corners batazos you connected, what do you remember the most?
I think I connected in the tournament in Edmonton, Canada, held in 1995. I had lost the title in the national team, and then I was given the opportunity to pinch hit against Nicaragua, with the bases loaded and the score below seven -2. I fired home run, and from that day back to the fourth turn in the lineup, and the other commitments we make as they say "I uncapped hit."
You're remembered mainly for your strength at bat; however, you performed as a receiver, and finally left fielder defended first base. What elements answered these changes in position and in which you feel better?
I never liked catching. I took that practically by force. In my early years I had many injuries on the Achilles tendon, so I moved to the gardens, also because at that time in Cuba there were many good infielders, and thought that the gardens could defend my chance in the Cuba team. However, I think the best I played was at first base, I was more into the game, more motivated and focused, but sometimes got "hot", but everything is in the tenacity one put.
- Despite constant monetary offers from abroad, what was the conviction that kept you as part of the revolutionary baseball?
I've always been fidelista, I have always loved much to Fidel Castro, and I think for such admiration continued in my homeland, it is very difficult to betray a man as the Commander, who was the leader not only of athletes but of Cuba and Latin America. A man whom we owe the country we have today, with an educated people to opt for a better future.
-In 21 National Series, you hit AVE .313; where 2030 hits, 330 doubles, 36 triples and your historic 1511 include RBIs. However, upon hearing the news of your retirement s, Rafael Grillo said: "Kinde, why we you retired when you were needed only 13!" Why not wait 500 homers?
I think that in the in time I played I could have passed the barrier of 500 homers, but with so many contradictions with the press and with certain federal INDER, I thought it was enough. I was still in shape, but it is true that while the players from my time were in the national team, we stop the development of young people, and retire with the glory up was also important. I did not communicate anything to anyone and to finish a play-off with Villa Clara in the "Guillermón Moncada", I decided to retire and I did so.
What meant to represent Orestes Kindelan Santiago de Cuba and particularly playing in the grounds of the stadium Guillermón Moncada?
To represent this province is something great, not only in sports but in all fields, and everything he does will always be with the name of Santiago de Cuba to the front. Playing in the "Guillermón Moncada" was extraordinary, as players from other teams, this stage contains much pressure as the "Latinoamericano", and when it began to sound the chinesse horn with the conga, there was a transformation in the team. I hope that in a few years the public that gathers here is inspiration to young people who are defending our shirt, and "Santiago" re-occupy the place that has always been on the ball.
Between the years 2002-2004, despite your retirement from the national baseball player you performed as the Japanese Baseball League, why did you make that decision?
From the controversy that had been unleashed itself around me and other comrades, I thought not to play here, and we were given the chance to go to Japan, but at that time I could not play professional as now. I had the opportunity of being equipment companies in that country, also I agreed that the other party was already being coach, learned a lot and I was pretty good.
Returning to Cuba in the year 2004 itself, you performed as hitting coach of the team from Santiago de Cuba, which as part of the coaching staff led by Antonio Pacheco, the province won three championships and a national runner-up, what did you feel the part of the "second steamroller"?
It was a wonderful thing to have so many young boys and keep Santiago de Cuba for four consecutive years in the elite of Cuban baseball, even more out of us than virtually athletes to coaches. It is a job that requires a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice, but that's what the coach: listen, observe, learn and not be tired of leading the team members so that things go as well as possible and be on the path Victory.
-Equally, you participated in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008, as part of the technical group of the team that won the silver medal. In your opinion, what factors prevented playing Olympic glory?
We went out to play against a Korean team of great quality, very technical and very concentrated. Unfortunately we made some inaccuracies, and in the ninth inning with the bases loaded we could not tie the game, the hit of yulieski gourriel left front and the game is over. But you cannot blame Yulieski, because we are a team, and no Cuba team that goes out there want to lose, but those are the baseball things, so we will not fill reviews an athlete who gives his all his shirt, I am among those who think that criticism is to build and not otherwise.
What do you think of "health" of the national baseball and Santiago in particular? What to do in each case to return to the stellar levels of yesteryear?
Baseball is in a difficult moment, there are many athletes who have decided to leave for other countries, and that influences a lot because they are practically the best team players, and a player not done overnight, further to things well on a baseball field. We lack many areas for improvement, and we are going to go missing when we are not able to face her problems and analyze them, but we have left is to continue working so that baseball back to take the place it deserves.
-The November 8, 2014 you were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Cubano, what was your reaction when you heard the news?
Very grateful, because Cuban baseball players have spent many an undeniable quality, and be among the top five I think it is a recognition in the first place, in my sporting career.
Your passion was playing baseball, but how is the life of Orestes Kindelán outside the pitch?
I try to be as normal as possible, I go to any place in town, and despite the reputation of Kindelán the player, it does not change my personality. I do not think of that player I was, and I want people to see me that way. And moreover, in my house, I am living with my children and my wife, who try to provide the greatest possible affection.