The distractions and inconveniences that Orlando Calixte has had to overcome due to his Haitian origin have haunted him since before he signed for professionalism in 2010 with the Kansas City Royals.
He has been the focus of attention since on the ninth of this month — during a match between the Águilas Cibaeñas and the Tigres del Licey at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, Ricky Ravelo, son of the president of the blue team, Ricardo Ravelo, put to sound on the internal speaker the song “Palito de Coco”, which in the past “hit” the Haitian artist Rumai.
In the midst of the controversy that this caused, including the protests of directors, fellow players and fans not only of the Cibaeño team, Calixte has tried to maintain focus, provide a good show within the cal lines so that the Águilas continue adding victories.
“My goal is to play hard, give the fans a good show because they pay to see us and have the right to demand that we play hard,” said the versatile player from the Águilas Cibaeñas in an interview with youtuber Leonardo Pérez TV.
“That is what I focus on. Since what social networks are and that type of comments from people who are off the field, honestly, I don’t pay much attention to it,” said Calixte, 30, whose father Dieudonne settled in the Dominican Republic in 1977.
“There is a public that now with what has happened thinks that I have denied my roots. Of course not, never…you can ask the guys (players) from the six teams and those who don’t belong and know me off the field.
They know that no, that I do not deny my roots, where my father and mother are from, but I was born here, I studied here and all my customs are from here,” said Calixte, who has bachata and merengue, who also dances , among his favorite musical rhythms.
He thanked the fans and all those who have felt uncomfortable with the affront to which he has been subjected, but, above all, the Dominican Republic, where he learned the trade that has allowed him to help his humble family improve their status as life.
Likewise, he had words of praise for the Dominican coaches who formed him as a player, as well as his older brother, Orlando, who was a good baseball player and helped him follow in his footsteps.
He said that on the initiative that a person had to try to bother him with the collation of the subject
“I do not blame the Dominican Republic because the work I have makes a living for my family and all those who depend on me, thanks to the baseball I learned here,” he said.
“My brother taught me this, may God have him in glory, and part of my fruits I owe to Dominicans who helped me get to where I am so I can give this show to the public,” said Calixte, who averages .294 , club leader, with a home run and eight RBIs.
His good performance has caught the attention of the Dragones de Chinichi team of the Japan League, which has just signed him to a deal close to seven figures, which will limit his participation here until December 10.
In 2008, the Boston Red Sox were determined to sign the young shortstop for three million dollars, according to reports, but refused to do so because his identity papers raised questions because he and his brother had the same name.
With the passage of time and many procedures carried out in Port-au-Prince and at the Central Electoral Board to demonstrate that his real name is Orlando and not Wilson, as he chose to call himself so as not to have the same name as his brother and guide, his price dropped and in August 2010, he received a million-dollar bonus from the Kansas City Royals.