Rare winner's medal issued for a Cuban baseball player at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Silver, 68 mm, 185 gm, by Wojciech Pietranik and Brian Thompson; manufactured by the Royal Australian Mint. The front depicts a 'Seated Victory' with the Colosseum in the background; the reverse portrays the Olympic rings over the iconic Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Olympic torch at right, inscribed above, "Baseball." The front and reverse bear uneven toning that is typical of Sydney silver winner's medals. Complete with the original blue ribbon embroidered in silver with the legend, "Sydney 2000."
Cuba won silver in the 2000 Summer Olympics baseball tournament after being shut out by the U.S. in the championship game; this was just the second game the Cuban team ever lost during Olympic play. The star of the team was Jose Contreras, who defected from the country to play in the Major Leagues two years later. This is the third Sydney winner's medal that we have offered, with its desirability only enhanced by its status as a piece of baseball memorabilia.
