Iday Abreu Cuban baseball coach is now in the Italian league

December 4, 2022

Serie A, the main championship of Italian baseball, concluded more than two months ago, and the Godo Baseball club finished in last place in its group in the second phase, with five wins and 25 losses. That team was one of those that included the most Cubans on its roster: its main starter, Havana native Eddy Abel García, and coaches Luis Hernández (Villa Clara) and the natives of Cienfuegos Duniel Ibarra and Iday Abreu.

Indeed, the beloved and successful manager Abreu took his knowledge to the European country this season, for the first time, after his services had not been requested by his province for the past National Series, nor in the most recent ones. His last stint as a director was the 53rd (2013-2014).

Iday arrived in Italy in April and was announced as a coach for the minor league categories, although he systematically collaborated with the main team, which competed in Serie A. From the first week of his arrival, the organization noted, he left his mark on work with the children and showed great attention to aspects that needed improvement in the players of the different groups he oversaw.

Before joining Italian society, the 51-year-old southerner remained in 2019 and 2020 linked to baseball in El Salvador. He was in charge of the Hielo Polar team in the U-21 Cup during his first year, and the following year he was one of four managers in the National League, that Central American country's elite circuit, with the Halcones team.

The native of Cruces was unable to complete his performance in that tournament, which was stopped in mid-March due to the red alert declared by the Salvadoran government because of Covid-19.

His era as manager in the National Series with the Cienfuegos Elephants began in 2008 and ended in 2014. He debuted as a substitute for Dessy Lomba—in his final championship he finished in 15th place—and the record of 34 wins and 56 losses put him below his predecessor. In the following season he finished seventh and Cienfuegos made the playoffs, after seven tournaments without achieving it.

In the so-called Gold Series, which Pinar del Río won under the leadership of Alfonso Urquiola, Abreu guided his team to a historic third place and, in doing so, set a new provincial record with 59 games won. Two years later he matched the bronze medal, with three fewer wins than in the 50th edition.

The main strategist of the Cuba team that participated in the 2011 ALBA Games in Venezuela, saw action in 14 seasons as a pitcher. Over 1,013.2 innings, he won 37 games, lost 79, saved eight, his ERA was 5.17, he struck out 433 batters and gave up walks on 443 occasions.