.c The Associated Press
HAVANA (AP) - It was never mentioned on the radio, never shown on the television.
But Livan Hernandez's record-setting NLCS performance this week in Miami was the talk of the Central Park Group - a year-round gathering of baseball fans in downtown Havana.
"Members here at the Central Park Group send him greetings,'' said Armando Almendares, 29.
Few countries are as baseball-crazed as Cuba and few people in Cuba take baseball more seriously than the group that meets daily around benches in Havana's Central Park. Anyone who wants to debate, argue, shout or gesticulate angrily about baseball is welcome.
Cuba's state-run news media generally ignores news of the U.S. major leagues, and especially reports about Cuban players like Hernandez who defected from their homeland.
But radio stations broadcasting Florida Marlins games in Spanish can be heard on a good radio and a few people with clandestine homemade satellite dishes can pick up TV broadcasts. Some even charge 20 pesos - about $1 - to watch a game.
"People follow (the Marlins) a lot because is it the team with the most Cubans,'' said Angel Perez, 47.
On Sunday, Hernandez set a National League playoff record with 15 strikeouts in Florida's 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves and their ace, Greg Maddux. Hernandez, 22, who also won Game 3 in relief, was selected the Most Valuable Player of the series Tuesday night after the Marlins' 7-4 victory in Game 6.
"No Cuban pitcher has had more success in the major leagues in years'' shouted a beefy man in a white baseball cap in the middle of the mob. "Fifteen strikeouts in a playoff!''
"And Livan did it as a rookie!'' added Almendares, who admitted to being a Yankees fan.
Interest in the major leagues here seems to have grown following a series of defections by top Cuban players, which also have contributed to a sudden decline in the level of play of Cuba's national leagues.
"In the '90s, the quality has fallen a lot,'' complained Jose Antonio Perez, no relation to Angel.
That has been aggravated by official punishment of players suspected of collaborating in the defections, called "treason to the fatherland'' by government officials.
Among those suspended last year was Livan's half-brother Orlando "The Duke'' Hernandez, one of Cuba's top pitchers, and shortstop German Mesa, a national idol.
While Livan Hernandez was a prospect at the time he defected, his half-brother was one of the nation's stars, a top player at the peak of his game with a record of winning more than 70 percent of his games.
Other players have retired early from Cuban baseball to try their luck, with official blessing in Japan or Latin American leagues.
Even though the Cuban government claims 80 percent of their foreign salary, the remaining 20 percent is far better than the $10 or so most earn a month in Cuba.
"Players are retiring at 30 so they can travel,'' said Jose Antonio Perez. "Many are better than those playing here. Many stars have retired.''
Cuban baseball officials met last month to debate ways of solving the problem, which has led to large swaths of empty seats at baseball stadiums here.
The government's Prensa Latina news agency said officials "have begun a crusade'' to restore baseball's popularity among fans.
But none here expressed anger at Hernandez's leap abroad.
"He is a young man and he has a great future ahead,'' said Adolfo Rodriguez, 46, a former center fielder for a Cuban minor league team.
"What bothers me is that he didn't call me,'' Rodriguez joked.
AP-NY-10-14-97 2351EDT