DATELINE: CUBA : THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, THEN AND NOW

Northern Shore, 1512:

Diego Velazquez was commissioned by the Spanish government to conquer Cuba. The Taino Indians shared with the explorers a dry leaf that they rolled and smoked, thus introducing Europeans to tobacco, but the Spanish were more covetous of the island’s gold. Velazquez and 300 conquistadors, including Hernando Cortes (right), went ashore and planted a cross in the name of the crown.

Havana, 1991:

The old man says he follows beisbol best he can. Says he followed it back when there were more Cuban-born players among America’s major leaguers. Says he also watched a few years ago when some American college boys came here to play Cuba before the last Pan American Games.

“I have a. . . .”

The old man halts, searching for the proper word.

“A favor-right?” he asks.

A favorite? A favorite baseball player?

“ Si! “ he says, excitedly. “I have the one player from American beisbol I like best. Because I see him play.”

Tony Perez?

“No, no Tony Perez.”

Minnie Minoso?

“No, no Minoso!”

The old man is scratching his head. The young man he addresses is racking his brain. Orlando Cepeda? No, no Cepeda. Jose Canseco? He has Cuban roots. But no, no Canseco.

“No, no, no, he is the . . . he is the thrower of the beisbol ,” the old man says. “Like this, like this!”

The old man borrows the young man’s notebook and cradles it against his chest with his wrist. It is supposed to represent his glove. He pretends to pitch a baseball, then snatches the notebook away with his throwing hand.

“No here. No here,” he says, indicating the right hand.

Ohhh, the young man says, understanding. He names the name. “ Si! Yes! Si! “ the old man practically shouts. “Jeem Abbott! I think he is the best pitcher I see.”