Félix Isasi Mestre

Cuban baseball player. An opportune and skillful hitter, he knew how to direct the ball very well behind the runner. He threw and batted right-handed.

At 17 years old he reached the III National Baseball Series and in his first game he faced Manuel Alarcón, connecting for 4-2. From there on he had no limits, he did everything well: intelligent, lively, respectful, fast, excellent with the glove and at bat. His captain-like demeanor should have increased our country's conquests.

It was no accident that scouts approached him in the countries where he played, and there were many.

Later his career was in constant ascent toward the top. He knew the intricacies of fielding and pivoting at second base perfectly.

A swift baserunner on the paths, he was also one of the best base stealers in the National Series.

Together with Wilfredo Sánchez and Rigoberto Rosique he formed the famous triangle of "The Three Musketeers" on the Henequeneros of the 70s which was the admiration of fans for several seasons.

He preferred basketball to baseball, but his 5.9 feet and weighing less than 160 pounds convinced him that he could never make his way on a court and he opted for the diamond.

However, that passion for baskets would stay with him always. When he was already an established ballplayer, he would often go play with the players from the Cuba basketball team, all friends of his, who would pick him up at the stadium.

He arrived early to major league baseball and at barely 18 years old he debuted against one of Cuba's best pitchers, the Copper Manuel Alarcón, whom he hit for a couple of hits in four at-bats. Enough for all those who knew anything about baseball to notice him. From there on everything was on the rise, since Isasi was a good hitter, fielder, fast and intelligent.

Despite debuting in grand fashion and being seventh among batters, he was not included on the Cuba team that participated in the Central American Games in Puerto Rico. But this did not discourage him and he continued improving until he became a fixture in the national team.

In the 1970s he formed, together with Wilfredo Sánchez and Rigoberto Rosique, a powerful trident of batters that would become known as "the three musketeers" and who made the Matanzas province team great.

A great base stealer, Isasi became famous for hiding the ball and putting out more than one careless opponent. A habit that the opposing teams did not find very amusing and for which they gave him more than one intentional pitch.

His talent was also appreciated by talent scouts, who on their trips outside Cuba offered him attractive economic opportunities.