Pedro Medina Passed Away, Eternal Icon of Cuban Baseball

July 23, 2025

Considered one of the best catchers of all time in Cuban baseball, Pedro Medina Ayón passed away on Monday, July 21 in Havana, at the age of 73. Medina had been operated on days earlier due to an intestinal occlusion and, after a postoperative complication from mesenteric thrombosis, he was unable to recover.

Medina, born on December 19, 1951 in Guanabacoa, was a towering figure in Cuban baseball.

He debuted in National Series in 1972 with Industriales, where he quickly stood out for his offensive power and character on the field. Later he also played with Habana and Metropolitanos, leaving statistics that speak for themselves: 17 seasons, offensive average of .295, 221 home runs, 886 runs scored and 869 runs batted in. He threw out 42.7% of runners who attempted to steal a base, an extraordinary mark for a catcher.

The "Doctor," as he was known, will live in the memory of fans for unforgettable moments such as his decisive home run in the 1981 Edmonton Intercontinental Cup against the United States. He was a key part of the Cuban team that won the championship in four world tournaments, three Pan American games and two Central American and Caribbean games, in addition to winning a silver medal in Havana 1982.

His dedication, tactical intelligence and team spirit made him an irreplaceable player on the national squad for nearly a decade.

After his retirement as a player in 1988, he returned to baseball as a coach and manager. He was national champion with Industriales in the 1995-1996 season and worked as an advisor to the National Baseball Commission. He also taught classes at the University of Sciences of Physical Culture and Sports, where he trained new generations of coaches.

His death has generated an outpouring of messages of admiration, respect and sadness. Neighbors, friends, former students and colleagues remembered his humility, his constant smile and his unbreakable passion for baseball.