The Alazanes de Granma were officially awarded in the city of Bayamo, as champions of the 60th National Baseball Series.

Havana, January 22 (RHC)-- The Alazanes de Granma were officially awarded in the city of Bayamo as champions of the 60th National Baseball Series.

The Plaza de la Patria was the scene of the Cuban baseball Champions Gala, which paid tribute to former baseball executives Ernesto Reinoso and Higinio Velez, who passed away in 2021 due to COIVID-19.

Also honored were the individual leaders and all-star teams on offense and defense, as well as the most comprehensive team.

Upon receiving the championship trophy, the experienced coach Carlos Martí, highlighted the work of his players, who joined forces to defeat a great rival like Matanzas, and regain the scepter won in the 56th and 57th editions.

"We are very happy for the success and we want to thank the authorities of the province for their support, and fundamentally our people, who despite the difficulties never abandoned us," said the experienced mentor to Prensa Latina.

The Alazanes won in the final play-off four games to two against the Cocodrilos de Matanzas, holders of the 59th version of the championship.

The match was decided in a dramatic sixth game, which was tied at five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, when the talented player Guillermo García homered with the bases loaded against the experienced pitcher Jonder Martínez.

For his performance in that game and in general in the title game, García was selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in that instance.

In this regard, the athlete recently signed by the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese League, said that for him it is a great pride to have decided the championship, whose triumph he dedicated to his beloved people of Granma.

Also honored as the best pitchers of the event were Camagüey's right-hander Frank Madan, leader in games won and strikeouts, as well as Yudiel Rodríguez, who topped the average in clean runs.

Meanwhile, Yunior Tur, from Santiago, stood out in the category of Games Saved and Marlon Vega, also a pitcher from Mayabeque, was selected as Rookie of the Year.

Along with the champion and runner-up, the Leñadores de Las Tunas team was awarded the third place.

The ceremony was presided over by the president of the Cuban Sports Institute, Osvaldo Vento, and other sports authorities of the country and the territory, as well as baseball glories such as Antonio Muñoz, Wilfredo Sánchez, Braudilio Vinent and Norge Luis Vera, among others.

The 61st National Series will start on Sunday at the Mártires de Barbados stadium in Bayamo, with the duel between the champion Granma and the runner-up Matanzas.

According to Carlos Martí, the starter for the alazanes should be César García, while Armando Ferrer announced right-hander Noelvis Entenza.