García was playing in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League with the Chinandega Tigers.
He returned to the island but a clause in the Cuban league regulations forced him to take five days of rest. He spent that time on the bench emotionally supporting his colleagues and suffering, according to his words in an interview with Prensa Latina.
He was eager to play and even more so in the Latin American stadium, where it is a dream to hold a playoff series, he commented.
García praised his teammates who managed to beat one of the teams with the most postseason experience and highlighted the role of mentor Yulieski González in that result.
“This is almost the same Artemisa as in previous years, but also very different since he took over the management of the team. We are more competitive, with a different mentality,” he argued.
The also member of the national team, including the so-called Team Asere in the World Classic last March, focuses on the grand final against Matanzas, a team that yesterday defeated Las Tunas for the fourth time in the other semifinal of the tournament.
“They have a group of high-quality players proven in professional leagues, but we are also in a great moment. It will be a good show for the public on both sides,” he predicted.
Although confirmation from the Cazadores coaching staff is awaited, the most likely move is putting García at third base and the also versatile Raúl González at second base.
“I am going to play wherever they put me, the important thing is to help the team have a good result, that is what interests me most now,” he emphasized.
In the Nicaraguan league, García posted an offensive line (AVE/OBP/SLU) of .315/.370/.455 with 26 runs scored, 29 RBIs and 52 hits, including six home runs and five doubles.
On Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m. local time, the final of the Cuban championship will begin at the Victoria de Girón stadium in Matanzas, home of the leaders of the preliminary phase.
ef/oda/nrg