Serie Nacional: Rolando Meriño, it’s every Cuban’s dream to play in the big leagues

Rolando Merino is a legend in Cuban baseball, a highly decorated player and one of the best offensive catchers in Serie Nacional history.

Rolando Merino is a Cuban baseball legend and one of the most unheralded catchers on the island. The native of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba is one of the better offensive catchers in Serie Nacional history.

Merino is third in Serie Nacional history in homeruns by a catcher with 215, he is also third in hits with Santiago (1,888) and drove in 1,061 runs during his 21 year career in Cuba. He did all this while hitting .315.

Though his bat packed a lot of thunder, he was also a good defensive catcher. In 10,895.1 innings he only committed 125 errors and threw out 37% of runners trying to steal. If one computes his stats on both ends it is very easy to say he is one of the most complete catchers in Cuban League history.

The slugger is a highly decorated internationally, he has been part of six Serie Nacional champions, participated in two Olympics and one World Baseball Classic

You had a great career domestically and internationally, is there anything that you wish you could have done during your career?

Yes, I definitely had a great career with Santiago and internationally. But I really wanted to be included with the national team during the 2004-2008 cycle, but a serious arm injury prevented me from being included. Luckily I was able to overcome my injuries and see action during the 2009 WBC.

Also not playing against the Orioles in ‘99 really bothered me because it was when I was in the best era of my career. I deserved to be on the national team during those encounters.

What was your most memorable moment in the Santiago vs Industriales rivalry?

There were plenty but the two are my grandest:

In 2007 during the regular season, I hit a longball to tie the game, but it didn’t last long because Alexander Malleta hit a homerun and left us on the field.

Another memorable moment with a happy ending was in ‘99 during the sixth game of the finals when I hit a homer in a game that finished 1-0.

Who was the hardest pitcher for you to catch?

There were a lot of them but Ariel Cutiño because he threw a great variety of pitches and they all had plenty of movement on them. I had to work plenty with him for us to get in a rhythm and develop chemistry.  José Contreras and José Ibar because of the movement on their forkball were also difficult to catch.

What tournament impressed you more – the Olympics or the World Baseball Classic?

It was definitely the Olympics because of the number of world-class athletes that competed there, this included non-baseball players. The Classic has the best baseball players in the world but the Olympics has the best athletes in the world.  I also wish I would have gotten more at bats in the Classic.

Your son Patrick signed with Tampa Bay last year, what advice do you share with him?

It gives me great pride that Patrick signed with Tampa. I’m living my dream to play in the major vicariously through him. I always preach to him that he needs to be disciplined, dedicated, and concentrated inside and outside the lines.

I also advised him not to carry a lot of the bad habits that of some of his predecessors, plenty of Cubans have brought their bad habits and attitude problems to America. To be honest that doesn’t fly here. Thank God Patrick had heeded my warnings and been on the straight and narrow so far.

Would you have liked to play in the Majors?

It’s every ball player’s dream to play in the big leagues. Of course, I would have loved to see myself on the grand stage, but like I said I’m living my dreams of playing pro ball through Patrick.