Closer wants to shift spotlight

Chapman seeks focus on Cubans protesting communist regime

For the last month, the spotlight has been bright on Aroldis Chapman. The Yankees closer’s sudden struggles after a dominating start to the season have been dissected and analyzed every which way. The 33-yearold who has been one of the most dominant relievers in the game is not used to or comfortable with this kind of spotlight, but he will use it.

In fact, Chapman will use any platform he has right now, including at last week’s All-star Game, to speak to and support those in his native Cuba who are demonstrating against the communist regime that rules the island nation.

“The All Star Game is watched all over the world, especially here in the United States, and sending a message and making it clear for a lot of people that don’t understand (the situation) or feel that Cuba is a paradise — and it’s not a paradise. There’s a lot of hunger. There’s a lot of oppression of the people in Cuba,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “There’s a lot of people on the street right now protesting and they’re asking for help from the United States, which is a strong country and one of the leaders of the world. You can see them asking for help. So I thought it was a great moment to ask for help and send that message and bring awareness to the people that don’t know.”

Chapman, who said he had told American League manager Kevin Cash he did not need to

pitch in his eighth All-star Game, wrote SOS CUBA and “Patria y Vida,” which means homeland and life, a play off the Cuban Communist Party’s motto of “homeland or death,” on

his All-star cap. So did Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garca.

Cuba, which has been under communist rule since Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959, is going through its worst economic crisis in decades. That has been exacerbated by a surge in coronavirus cases coupled with a low vaccination rate.

Thousands on the island have been protesting on the streets, chanting “We want freedom” and “We want vaccines.”

Chapman, who defected while in Amsterdam with the Cuban National team in 2009, is encouraged by the very rare public demonstrations against the Cuban regime.

“I just wanted to send a message of hope to them to keep at it,” he said. “The regime has been ruling the country for over 60 years, and so just giving them hope. Hopefully a lot of people are paying attention and it helps to make a change eventually with communism in the country.