David Cone and El Duque' Canine Link is Gone

It was 1998 and the Yankees fans were all waiting to see when Cuban defector Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez would make his Major League debut. Who knew he would get a helping hand or, more precisely, a finger in his call up. David Cone tweeted earlier today that his Mom's beloved dog Veronica passed away at age 16. It was a 2-year old Veronica that nipped Coney's finger back in '98 and hastened the call up of El Duque. The rest is history...

Rest in peace sweet Veronica and thank you for introducing El Duque to all of us.

El Duque Looking For Work Again

According to Rotoworld, the Texas Rangers have released Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. The Duke of Pitching was being used in the Oklahoma City (AAA) bullpen, but was told he didn't fit in the Rangers plans.

And no, Brian Cashman shouldn't sign him. We love El Duque, but he's time has come and gone.

The Return of The Duke

Just saw this item a short time ago on Rotoworld - The Texas Rangers have signed Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez to a minor league contract.

Welcome back to the great El Duque!

Cubans Watch Their Native Sons

Cuban television viewers got to see some of their native sons, such as Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, pitch for the first time since they defected. The Cuban government allowed the airing of "Fuera de Liga", a documentary which features interviews and highlights from the American careers of El Duque and others.

The film was made in 2003 by Ian Padron and features the Industriales of Havana team, the "Yankees of Cuba".

"I'm an Industrialista. I am not a traitor to the Industriales," Hernandez said in the film. "I've had the opportunity to play for the two best teams in the world: Industriales and the Yankees."

Among the players included are Angels' 1st Baseman Kendry Morales. The AP reported that a speech by Cuban leader Raul Castro (who took over for Fidel in 2006) in December focused on the excess of restrictions placed on the Cuban people, and helped lead to the decision to air the film.

El Duque was happy about the decision. He's quoted in El Nuevo Herald, a Spanish newspaper based in Miami, as saying, "I imagine the documentary will be a breath of fresh air on television for Cubans."

Now if only Cubans could come and go as they please.

Cubans Watch Their Native Sons

Cuban television viewers got to see some of their native sons, such as Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, pitch for the first time since they defected. The Cuban government allowed the airing of "Fuera de Liga", a documentary which features interviews and highlights from the American careers of El Duque and others.

The film was made in 2003 by Ian Padron and features the Industriales of Havana team, the "Yankees of Cuba".

"I'm an Industrialista. I am not a traitor to the Industriales," Hernandez said in the film. "I've had the opportunity to play for the two best teams in the world: Industriales and the Yankees."

Among the players included are Angels' 1st Baseman Kendry Morales. The AP reported that a speech by Cuban leader Raul Castro (who took over for Fidel in 2006) in December focused on the excess of restrictions placed on the Cuban people, and helped lead to the decision to air the film.

El Duque was happy about the decision. He's quoted in El Nuevo Herald, a Spanish newspaper based in Miami, as saying, "I imagine the documentary will be a breath of fresh air on television for Cubans."

Now if only Cubans could come and go as they please.