Washington Nationals: Yunesky Maya, ‘The Warrior’ of Pinar del Río
A Dominican League Legend
The righty is revered in the Dominican Republic and is the only foreigner to win four Dominican League titles with four different teams.
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Yunesky Maya has also been named pitcher of the year twice in the DOWL, once with the Escogido Lions in 2010 and the other time with the Licey Tigers in 2015.
“I’ve always thought of the DR as like a second home. The people of that country have always given my family and I plenty of love, we feel very at home there. I’ve won championships and pitchers of the year in that league, but for me, the biggest prize is the love of the people.”
This winter “The Warrior ” added to his legend by helping the Dominican League Champ win their 20th Caribbean World Series championship. During the tournament, he had a record of 1-0 and posted a sterling 1.80 earned run average.
Returning to Cuba
Although it’s been more than a decade since he has played in the Cuban League Maya still longs for the day he can grace the mound at Captain Saint Louis stadium in Pinar del Río, ” I follow the Serie Nacional closely. I would like to return one day to the Cuban league. I think it’s the desire of all of us that have immigrated to return to the Serie Nacional. I dream of the day I can return to our league.”
In a career that has spanned 17 years and had its ups and downs one thing has been constant, that Maya is a warrior and has always fought to the end.