The celebration, which began with a huge cheer that spread across
Havana's neighborhoods, was sedate by American standards since for nearly
40 years, the only street celebrations allowed have been organized by
Cuba's Communist government.
Cuban government radio reported that the victorious team was expected
to land in Havana later today. Team members were expected to receive a
heroes' welcome and were almost certain to be met at the airport by
President Fidel Castro.
``Havana is happy!'' said Daniel Padron, 30, as he sat on the seawall
with his young son.
Cubans had rushed home early from work and crowded around television
sets to cheer their hometown baseball heroes during the historic rematch
at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The childhood home of Cuban baseball's biggest stars, Javier Mendez,
was packed with relatives and neighbors watching the game.
``I am so proud of my son because he fought hard to be on the Cuban
team,'' said his father, Javier Mendez Cuadrado, 58. ``Over there, we have
him defending the Cuban flag.''
The father said he hoped the game would help bring the American and
Cuban people closer together.
``Sports has nothing to do with politics,'' he said. ``We have nothing
against the American people.''
``It is so moving seeing him up there,'' added the player's mother,
Mirna, as she watched her son on the television set. ``For this he worked
so hard, to play for his country.''
Also crowded into the modest living room was the player's 82-year-old
grandmother, who traveled 375 miles to be with her family as she watched
her grandson play.
The streets were virtually deserted in the community of Santa Fe, just
outside the Havana city limits.
``Who isn't watching the game in Cuba tonight?'' asked Jose Antonio
Arenas, a worker at a newspaper stand surrounded by neighbors struggling
to see the game on his small set.
``I wouldn't miss this game for anything,'' Leonor Limonta said as she
left her apartment building to catch the game on a television inside a
nearby pastry shop.
Baker Alejandro Zabater let the shop patrons change the station to the
game from the highly popular Colombian soap opera, ``Scent of a
Woman.''
Among the very few not watching Monday night was Ariel Perez, who
drives a bicycle taxi in central Havana.
``Sure, I'd like to see the game,'' he said. ``But I have to work. My
economic situation is not good.''
Cuban baseball fans celebrate win by hometown heroes