Orestes Destrade

Orestes Destrade is a retired baseball player, who had a career in both the Major Leagues and Japan. He got his start with the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1980s, before playing playing four seasons in Japan, becoming a superstar with the Seibu Lions. He returned to the US as a part of the Florida Marlins inaugural season in 1993, leading the team in homes runs and runs batted in, before finishing his career with the Lions.

Orestes has gone on to become a television and radio broadcaster with the Tampa Bays Rays, Espn and other outlets for close to 20 years, and currently serves as a special advisor to the Lions.

This was a really interesting conversation where we spoke about his experiences playing baseball and living in Japan, how his family arrived in Miami from Cuba, and seeing baseball as a way to understanding Japanese culture.

It was an honor to speak with Orestes. I hope you enjoy it, and look out for more to come in this series.