Rances Barthelemy Throws Out First Pitch at Miami Marlins Game Thursday Night – Quotes & Photos
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(Barthelemy, right, with Marlins shortstop & fellow Cuban Adeiny Hechavarria left.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/Mayweather Promotions)
Cuban World Champion Defends His Title Against Mickey Bey Tonight
at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike
From Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
HOLLYWOOD, FL (June 3, 2016) – Lightweight world champion Rances Barthelemy threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday before the Miami Marlins game faced the Pittsburgh Pirates at Marlins Park in Miami. The Cuban-born world champion will defend his title tonight against former world champion Mickey Bey in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Kings Promotions, Mayweather Promotions, and Panther Promotions, are priced at $130, $80, $60, and $35 (additional fees may apply) and are on sale now. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.com,www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the first fight set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Here is what Barthelemy, and his brother Leduan, had to say about the first pitch, their love of baseball and more:
RANCES BARTHELEMY
On throwing first pitch:
“It was more than a dream come true. Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisioned myself being here one day, I would throw out the ceremonial first pitch in front of thousands of Marlins fans, a lot of them Cuban like myself, in a stadium I saw being built right before my eyes when I still lived in Miami. This experience is still surreal to me.”
On Marlins shortstop and fellow Cuban Adeiny Hechavarria:
“To throw the first pitch to a fellow Cuban like Adeiny Hechevarria and someone who is also living his dreams of being a professional at his craft after having gone through a similarly difficult process just to get here means a lot.
“I know Adeiny personally as we met soon after he landed in Miami after having defected, and before he signed his first professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Soon after, I moved to Las Vegas he got traded to the Miami Marlins but we remained in touch.
“It is a great pleasure to watch Cubans like him and Jose Fernandez representing our country so well in Major League Baseball.”
On baseball vs. boxing:
“As you know baseball and boxing are two of the biggest passions in Cuba. Everyone growing up does one or the other, or both. My brothers and I were did both at an early age.
“I myself loved baseball more and even envisioned myself playing professional baseball one day, but as a young kid in a rough neighborhood you must learn how to fight and defend yourself. After seeing my older brother Yan take off with his boxing, I decided to do the same and have never looked back.”
LEDUAN BARTHELEMY
On his big brother Rances throwing the ceremonial first pitch….
“This was one of those most beautiful things that have happened to me thus far in life. I have always admired my older brothers and have always aimed to follow in their footsteps, and enjoy spending time with them as they are always supporting me in everything I do.
“I am extremely proud of Rances’ growth and accomplishments and happy to be alongside him during these very special moments. I hope that sometime next year or the year after, that I can also throw a ceremonial first pitch and have Rances alongside supporting me.”
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