For over a decade Eduardo Paret was the shortstop for the Cuban National Baseball Team. Since Cuba will not allow its ballplayers to play outside the island nation, the only place an outstanding player of Paret’s level could put his talents on display is during amateur baseball tournaments in the Caribbean or South America.

     However, in 1992, baseball was made an official Olympic sport and this allowed Paret and other Cuban players the chance to showcase their skills to a worldwide audience. Cuba won the Gold in the 1992 Barcelona Games and came back in 1996 as defending champs in Atlanta, this time with a young Eduardo Paret at shortstop.

     Cuba defeated the US and Japan to take their second consecutive Gold. This is the gold medal awarded to Paret for Cuba’s win. The 2 ¾ inch gold medal is constructed of gilt plated silver. The front features the goddess of victory with a palm and winners crown in her hands, with “XXVI OLYMPIAD ATLANTA 1996”. The reverse has the logo of the ’96 Games with the icon for baseball. The medal is suspended from a 32 inch green and gold embroidered ribbon. The medal is in excellent condition with just light scuffs and abrasions from age. The medal comes with a signed LOA from former Major League pitcher Livan Hernandez, who states that the medal was acquired from Eduardo Paret.

Auction Notepad