No less an authority than Cuban coach Jorge Fuentes.
Baseball is our national sport.
After U.S. centerfielder Jacque Jones homered with one out in the ninth to cut the deficit to two runs, Travis Lee walked and Matt McCroy singled to right, bringing the winning run to the plate. Chad Green, the Milwaukee Brewers' first-round draft choice, came in to pinch run and represented the tying run. The flag-waving fans were on their feet, anticipating just one more American rally. But reliever Pedro Luis Lazo struck out Chad Allen and Troy Glaus to hand the U.S. its first loss in the Olympic tournament. Americanism vs. Socialism.