Books and articles about Rolando Arrojo

A Cuban defector who signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a $7 million bonus in 1997, Arrojo became the expansion club's ace and first All-Star in 1998 while posting a 14-12 record and 3.56 ERA in his first season. No Cuban had posted as many wins since Luis Tiant won 21 in 1978. But after a frustrating sophomore slump in 1999 (7-12, 5.18) Arrojo was sent to the Colorado Rockies with the Brewers' Jeff Cirillo as part of a four-team deal that brought Vinny Castilla to Tampa Bay.

"It is easier to change cities than countries," Arrojo told reporters. The son of a sugar cane worker, he had been a member of the Cuban National Team that took gold in the 1992 Olympics. One of the top pitchers in the country -- Fidel Castro once called him the best of his generation -- Arrojo won all ten of his starts in international competition but was paid just $11 a month.

As a member of the Cuban team, Arrojo made numerous trips to the U.S. -- in fact, he was at Mile High Stadium when the Rockies unveiled their uniforms on July 4, 1992. Four years later, he decided to defect during a 1996 tournament in Albany, Georgia. (JGR)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 9, 1996: At the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Cuba's top pitcher Rolando Arrojo defects to the U.S. » September 3, 1999: In Baltimore's 11–6 win over Tampa Bay, Cal Ripken, Jr. clubs his 400th career homer, off Rolando Arrojo. He's the 20th player to hit 400 homers. » December 13, 1999: In what is believed to be baseball's first 4-team swap since 1985, the Rockies obtain 3B Jeff Cirillo, Ps Rolando Arrojo and Scott Karl, and IF Aaron Ledesma, the Devil Rays obtain 3B Vinny Castilla, the Brewers obtain Ps Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes, and C Henry Blanco, and the Athletics obtain P Justin Miller. » July 27, 2000: The Red Sox obtain pitchers Rolando Arrojo and Rick Croushore, IF Mike Lansing, and cash from the Rockies for pitchers Brian Rose, John Wasdin, and Jeff Taglienti, and 2B Jeff Frye.