Latest news with #Cuban-born
Miami Herald
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Xavier Suarez, Miami's first Cuban-born mayor, plans to run for mayor again
Xavier Suarez, the first Cuban-born mayor of Miami and the father of the city's current mayor, announced Monday that he plans to file to run for mayor. Suarez's announcement landed hours after a judge ruled that it was unlawful for the city of Miami to postpone its November 2025 election to November 2026 without voter approval. The city quickly filed a notice of appeal. 'I'm energized,' Suarez said in a brief interview with the Miami Herald. He said he plans to file his candidate paperwork Tuesday morning. Suarez became the city's first Cuban mayor in 1985. He was reelected to a two-year term in 1987 and then to a four-year term in 1989. Suarez's announcement tees up a potential redo of the 1997 mayoral race, when Suarez and Joe Carollo went head-to-head. Carollo, now a city commissioner, has long been teasing a run for mayor in November. Carollo, the incumbent, initially lost to Suarez in 1997. But the election was overturned because of ballot fraud, and Carollo was declared the winner the following year, serving as mayor from 1998 to 2001. READ MORE: Dynasty city: How three Miami families may extend their decades of political power Suarez's son, Francis Suarez, was elected mayor in 2017 and is termed out of office at the end of the year. If Xavier Suarez is elected in November and serves the entirety of the four-year term, a Suarez will have occupied the position of Miami mayor for 12 consecutive years. Xavier Suarez said Monday that the city 'could use a serious reform.' That includes supporting ballot initiatives to move the city elections to even-numbered years and to expand the City Commission from five to nine members. Suarez said in a press release that he also plans to 'actively oppose' a proposal from Commissioner Damian Pardo to create lifetime term limits for elected officials. That ballot referendum is heading to voters in November.
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bill Dellinger, runner and track coach who mentored stars, dies at 91
His coaching success followed a productive running career of his own. At Oregon, Mr. Dellinger started as a 5-foot-9, 137-pound miler and won the NCAA title in 1954. He later switched to the 5,000 meters (3.1 miles), which he ran in the 1956, '60 and '64 Olympics. After winning a bronze medal in 1964, he retired as a runner. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up As a coach, he was a laid-back philosopher whose athletes called him Bill, not Coach. Many went on to glory. Prefontaine set multiple long-distance records in the early to mid-1970s, won gold in the 1971 Pan American Games and competed in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He died at 24 in an automobile crash in Eugene in 1975 while preparing for the 1976 Games. Advertisement The Cuban-born Salazar won three New York City Marathons in the 1980s and the 1982 Boston Marathon. Cruz took the gold medal in the 800-meter event at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. And another of Mr. Dellinger's runners, Matthew Centrowitz Jr., won the gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Advertisement Mr. Dellinger preached moderation in training. He told Runner's World magazine in 1980: 'Most runners have the false impression that the more miles they can run, the better they're going to be. Mileage is beneficial only to a certain point, and once that's reached, it becomes damaging. I do think holding a runner back is what the true art of coaching is about.' William Solon Dellinger was born March 23, 1934, in Grants Pass, in southwest Oregon, to Shirley and Avril (Swacker) Dellinger. His father worked for Shell Global delivering heating oil. Mr. Dellinger's introduction to track came as a high school freshman when the track coach asked the physical education teacher to have the class run three laps around the track. 'I can still remember the coach waving his arms at me as we came around the first lap, yelling for me to slow down,' he recalled. 'I came around again on the second lap and had a big lead on everyone else, and he's screaming at me to slow down again. I guess he figured I must've been pretty good, because my time for the three laps was faster than any of the guys on the track team.' Mr. Dellinger joined the team, and a few weeks later he placed high in the state mile championship. Before graduating, he won it. During college and after, he won three national and two NCAA titles as well as the 5,000 meters at the 1959 Pan American Games. He broke the world indoor records for 2 and 3 miles. And he set American records outdoors, once for 1,500 meters and three times for the 5,000. Advertisement At Oregon, Mr. Dellinger earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 and a master's in 1962, both in education. After college, he spent three years in the Air Force and then taught and coached in high school and briefly coached in junior college. From 1967 to 1973, he was assistant track coach at Oregon under his former college coach, Bill Bowerman, a co-founder of the Nike footwear brand, with Phil Knight. Mr. Dellinger coached the United States men's distance runners in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He was elected to several track and field halls of fame. His wife, Marol, died in 2014. In addition to his son Joe, he is survived by another son, David, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Dellinger was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998, had a stroke in 2000, and underwent surgery in 2012 to have a malignant tumor removed from his stomach. He retired at 64, but he continued to work out every other day on the Oregon track for a time, preferring it to running on the campus grounds or in the streets of Eugene. 'I go to the track in the evening when no one's around,' he told the running magazine The Harrier in 1998. 'I don't like to jog.' This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Yankees go after this switch-hitting infielder at the deadline?
Yoan Moncada could be a popular name traded at this year's trade deadline, and Francys Romero of Beisbol FR reports that the Yankees are among teams interested. The switch-hitting third baseman has mashed with the Angels, posting a 122 wRC+ with seven home runs in 36 games, but his defense at third base has been brutal. With -8 DRS and -6 OAA, the Yankees would have to stomach some deplorable defensive play with the bat, but as a rental Brian Cashman could acquire him for cheap. A low-cost risk, it would improve the team's situation at third base, but should New York be interested in landing someone with some real flaws? Is Yoan Moncada A Viable Upgrade for the Yankees? Yoan Moncada has a swing that's perfect for Yankee Stadium thanks to his pull-side power when hitting left-handed, holding a 28% Pull AIR rate on the season. The Yankees have the infamous short porch in right field, and Moncada immediately serves as a six or seven hitter in an offense against right-handed pitching. Signed to a cheap $5 million deal, New York would be on the hook for less than $2.5 million towards the Luxury Tax by acquiring him, with zero money committed beyond the 2025 season. Still, there are flaws that the Yankees would have to seriously consider when acquiring a hitter such as Moncada. READ MORE: This season Yoan Moncada is hitting .105 with a 10 wRC+ vs LHP, an issue considering the Yankees would like to add a hitter who can perform as a right-handed bat as well. Moncada has had some success against southpaws before, but the recent power outage in those matchups would be a massive red flag. Furthermore, the Cuban-born infielder has massive injury concerns and has constantly been on the injured list, including an extended stay there this past season. The defense is a very real problem has well; he has been unplayable at the hot corner after having solid defensive production at third base throughout his career. If other options don't end up with New York, perhaps this is a player who can at least be an upgrade over Oswald Peraza, but the Yankees should have options ahead of him on the depth chart. Related Headlines Yankees' blockbuster deadline deals could include front-line starter and elite power bat The Yankees are keeping their eyes on All-Star closer at the deadline Mets are reportedly 'frontrunners' in race for Pirates star pitcher Knicks 88, Pacers 91: Good news and bad news as comeback effort falls short
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Ex-FIU standout J.C. Escarra getting set for August 1-3 homecoming against Marlins
Baby, what a time to be alive. Juan Carlos Escarra III was born a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the greatest year of his father's life. That baby's father – known as J.C. Escarra – played at Mater Academy and then FIU before wandering around baseball's minor leagues for eight years. After getting released by the Baltimore Orioles in April of 2022, Escarra played for the Gastonia Honey Hunters in independent baseball, the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League and Ponce in Puerto Rican winter ball, among others. Finally, this year, on March 29, Escarra made his major-league debut as a pinch-hitter and a backup catcher for perhaps the most famous team in all of American sports, the New York Yankees. 'I can talk a lot more about what the major leagues are,' Escarra, 30, told The Herald during this week's All-Star break. 'It's steak and shrimp. It's five-star hotels. It's 40,000 fans every night. It is, bro. I'm living the dream.' Indeed, the video of Escarra sitting in the Yankees clubhouse this past March and calling to tell his Cuban-born mother, Marinelys, that he had made the Yankees out of spring training is a tear-jerker. Said Escarra: 'Acabo de hablar con (Yankees manager) Boone,' (I just talked to Boone.) His mom, sensing some important news: 'No, dime!' (No, tell me!) Escarra: 'Vamos para Nueva York!' (We're going to New York!) At that point, Escarra's mom starts screaming. Escarra is smiling … and then seconds later wiping away tears. 'I saw the video again just yesterday,' Escarra said on Wednesday. 'It never gets old. It still makes me cry.' On Tuesday, Escarra flew home to Hialeah, where he and his wife, Jocelyn, own an apartment they share with their newborn son. Jocelyn and the baby will join J.C. in New York as soon as the little guy is able to travel. Years from now, Juan Carlos Escarra III will be able to read a book about his father, watch a movie about his dad and also a documentary because all of that is in the works. TIGHT FAMILY The story starts in Cuba where J.C. Escarra's parents, Marinelys and Juan Carlos, were born. They met and settled in Hialeah with their two sons, J.C. and Michael Derek Escarra, whose middle name – ironically – was given in honor of former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. J.C. said his father worked three jobs while Marinelys went to nursing school. Money was tight, but Escarra said he never lacked for anything. 'Growing up, my pops put me in baseball,' Escarra said. 'There was never a tournament that my mom and dad didn't take me to. They didn't make a lot of money, but they always got me private coaching, and they didn't mind.' Escarra met Jocelyn in ninth-grade biology class at Mater Academy, and they started dating a couple years later. 'I didn't like him at first,' Jocelyn said with a laugh. 'No, I did, but he was after me a little more. 'It's his personality (that won me over). He's always happy, he's always smiling, and he's always positive.' While that relationship was starting to blossom, Escarra was making his mark as a Mater Academy baseball player. Eddie Gorriz, the coach at Mater at the time, said Escarra had 'really good hands and a cannon for an arm.' Escarra was a corner infielder, and Kevin Abraham, who later played for Florida Atlantic University, was Mater's catcher. 'Since J.C. is a lefty hitter who throws righty,' Gorriz said, 'the scouts would be all over me to put him behind the dish.' Escarra said Mets scout Mike Silvestri was the first person to suggest he should play catcher. But Escarra had no experience at the position, and Gorriz was trying to win games not please scouts. Translation: The only catching experience Escarra got in high school was in intra-squad games. Even so, the Mets drafted Escarra – as a catcher – in the 32nd round in 2013. Getting drafted so low, it was fairly easy for Escarra to turn down the Mets, opting to play at FIU. But as an FIU freshman in 2014, Escarra sat behind catcher Aramis Garcia, who went on to get drafted by the Giants in the second round that year. For the next three years at FIU, Escarra played catcher only sporadically and was instead used mostly at DH and first base. Escarra also missed his junior season due to shoulder surgery. On the positive side, he earned his Bachelor's degree from FIU in 2017, majoring in Recreation and Sports Management. Also that year, J.C. and Jocelyn got engaged. It happened after an FIU baseball game. Unbeknownst to Jocelyn, Escarra had all his family and friends remain in the stands. Ever the romantic, Escarra had arranged for giant letters to stretch from first to third base, and they read: WILL YOU MARRY ME? There were also rose petals, fireworks, a violinist and a 'yes' from Jocelyn. Capping off 2017, the Orioles drafted Escarra in the 15th round. Kelvin Colon, who was the Orioles area scout at the time, shared with The Herald the scouting report he wrote on Escarra eight years ago. 'Knows his role,' Colon wrote. 'Good leader. Winning-type player. Would consider drafting him in the ninth or 10th round.' The Orioles heeded that advice, taking Escarra a few rounds later. 'It was the (character) that drew me,' Colon said. 'Being a late-round draftee, you have to be passionate about the game. 'He comes from a blue-collar Cuban-American family. That's his foundation, and I knew he would do whatever it took to make it to the majors.' ADVERSITY HITS Escarra reached Triple-A in 2021, posting a .673 OPS in 58 games. But when the Orioles released him the following year, Escarra was devastated. The date of the release was April 6, 2022 – just six months before Escarra and Jocelyn were to be married. Escarra had a notion to quit baseball at that time, but his family wouldn't let him. To make ends meet, Escarra worked as an Uber driver, and there was also Jocelyn's salary as a teacher. In the meantime, Escarra – who had been used mostly as a first baseman in the Orioles organization – instructed his agent to find him a team that would allow him to play catcher. That led to seven different teams over the next two years before the Yankees signed him in January of 2024, sending Escarra to Double-A Somerset. At Somerset, Escarra played catcher behind Ben Rice, who is now the Yankees DH, and Agustin Ramirez, who this year has become a Marlins rookie sensation. In November of 2024, the Yankees put Escarra on their 40-man roster so that they would not lose him to minor-league free agency. Mervyl Melendez, who coached Escarra in his final season at FIU, completely gets why the Yankees would make that move. 'J.C.'s character is unbelievable,' Melendez said. 'In the year he played for me, J.C. got off to a slow start. I benched him for a few games to give him a mental break, and he came back and hit 15 homers the rest of the season. 'He never let his ego get in the way. As a pro, he went down to play independent ball – just a humble and persistent guy and one of the best human beings I've ever been around.' HARD AT WORK Escarra is one of only two former FIU players currently in the majors – the other is Cleveland pitcher Logan Allen. Beyond that, Escarra is also one of the hardest-working players in the majors. For a 7 p.m. home game, Escarra arrives at the stadium at about 12:30 or 12:45. A lot of that time prior to first pitch is spent in meetings as Escarra and starting catcher Austin Wells go over the scouting report on every opposing hitter. Escarra also has to know every opposing pitcher. Then there's on-field work – batting practice and fielding practice. 'A lot of meetings,' Escarra said. 'But it's our livelihood, and I wouldn't change it.' During games, even if Escarra is not playing, he is sitting next to Wells and Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson. 'I'm locked in,' Escarra said. 'Let's say (Wells) stubs his toe, I'm expected to go in and hold it down.' As a catcher, Escarra said, he is constantly thinking 'three steps ahead,' reading swings and pondering who is on deck, for example. The Escarra family is also thinking ahead … to August 1-3 when the Yankees will visit the Marlins for three games. You can bet his family members will all be there, including Escarra's mother, who is still a nurse at Jackson Hospital; his brother, who is also a nurse at Jackson; and his father, who recently retired from Comcast at age 65. Another part of Escarra's core group of family members is his maternal grandmother, Maria Sosa. As stated, this is a blue-collar, tight-knit family. His parents went to Hialeah High, and they still live in the house where Escarra grew up. And Escarra, Jocelyn and the baby live just five minutes away. 'Whatever I've gone through in my career, my family has gone through it, too,' Escarra said. 'That's why it was so emotional when I finally made the majors.' A lot has changed for Escarra this year as he is now making a handsome salary – the major-league minimum is $760,000 per season. Escarra is also enjoying the big-city life that is part of the fabric of New York. 'There's a coffee shop on every corner,' he said. Escarra added that he's been recognized on the streets of New York a few times. 'Especially in the first couple of weeks after I made the team,' he said. 'That's when I was on The Today Show, and my story was really out there. 'it's incredible. Just last year I was a nobody, driving an Uber and just trying to get by, and now this. It's mind-blowing.'
Arab Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Iturriza joins Kuwait Club as third foreign signing
KUWAIT CITY, July 8: Kuwait Club has bolstered its first-handball team with the signing of 35-year-old Cuban-born Portuguese international Victor Iturriza on a one-season deal. Known for his strength and experience, Iturriza previously played for European handball giants Barcelona and Veszprém (Hungary), making him one of the most prominent players in the sport. The signing comes as part of Kuwait Club's strategy to solidify its squad for the upcoming season. The deal rounds out the club's trio of international professionals, alongside Frankis Marzo and Vladan, a former Al-Qadsiya player whose contract recently expired. Angel Hernandez, meanwhile, has departed the squad to join a club in the Japanese league. This move aligns with the Kuwait Handball Association's announcement that clubs will be allowed to register three foreign players per team, with only two permitted on the court at the same time, and the third remaining on the bench. Meanwhile, Sulaibikhat Club has made key moves of its own, signing Yousef Dhaif and goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Saffar for the new season. The signings were formalized in the presence of club president Saad Anad and secretary general Nasser Mansi. Sulaibikhat had previously extended the contract of head coach Walid Salmeen and brought in Ahmed Abdul Latif as goalkeeper coach. The club also renewed deals with two foreign players: Estonian international Karl Thom and Nouri Ben Halima, a French-Algerian. However, the contract of Estonian player Denir Janima was not renewed. Elsewhere, Kuwait national handball team star Nawaf Al-Shammari has reportedly received two official offers from local clubs interested in signing him for next season. Al-Shammari is currently reviewing both proposals and is expected to make a decision soon.
