Tampa Bay Rays set to face Cuba in historic baseball game

The baseball game between Tampa Bay Rays and Cuba on Tuesday will be a historic event, said Tampa's pitcher Chris Archer on Monday.

Archer recognized the talent of Cuban baseball players and urged the U.S. authorities to find a solution so that Cuban athletes can formally play in Major League Baseball.

Former New York Yankees star, Derek Jeter, on Monday also recognized the quality of Cuban baseball players.

"I had the honor of being part of the same team with Cuban players such as Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez and Jose Contreras. They are very good players. Cubans bring much intensity to the game," said Jeter, who is likely to soon be raised to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jeter also said that despite political, language or weather differences, Cuba and the U.S. speak one same language in baseball, as both carry this sport in their blood.

Jeter, five-time winner of the World Series (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009), is in Havana as part of a MLB delegation, including the Tampa Bay Rays team.

Stuart Sternberg, owner of Tampa Bay Rays, also expressed his excitement. "We are very happy to be here, it is something historical for us. I hope this can be useful to improve the collaboration spirit between MLB and Cuba," he said.

Sternberg said the presence of authorities of both countries is a privilege but that "it is also an honor to show our game to the Cuban fans."

The friendly baseball game, held in the framework of the visit of the U.S. President Barack Obama to Cuba, will be held on Tuesday in Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana.

The last time a MLB team played in Cuba was in March 1999, when the Baltimore Orioles faced the Cuban team at the same Stadium. Endi