20-20

18 years ago, an event captured all the headlines of the Cuban National Series in the 2005-2006 season: Yulieski Gurriel had become the first hitter in Cuban baseball with a season of at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

Gurriel completed the feat in his fifth season with the Gallos de Sancti Spíritus. He was 21 years old, and just a few weeks ago he had made a splash as the Best Second Baseman of the I World Baseball Classic in 2006. Gurriel first recorded the mark of 20 home runs in the 2005-2006 season. It was on the night of Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana, during Game 1 of a three-game series between the Gallos de Sancti Spíritus and the Industriales de La Habana.

Gurriel hit the home run in his second plate appearance against Industriales right-hander Yadel Martí, his former teammate on the national team that was runner-up in the World Baseball Classic 2006. Martí, who was chosen as the Best Right Pitcher of the World Baseball Classic 2006, started Game 1 of that regular season series against Sancti Spíritus.

I remember that night perfectly. I was covering that game. Gurriel entered Tuesday's game with 19 home runs and 19 stolen bases. In his first plate appearance, Martí struck him out with clean bases in the first inning. Then, at the top of the fourth, Gurriel hit the solo home run, recording the team's first hit. The Los Gallos team could not score again. Martí pitched seven innings, struck out seven opponents and did not walk a single batter until achieving success by knocking out 11-1 in favor of Industriales.