Cuban Baseball Idol Antonio Muñoz in Intensive Care

HAVANA TIMES — Former baseball player Antonio Muñoz, an idol of contemporary Cuban baseball, remained hospitalized on Thursday in the intensive care unit of the Gustavo Aldereguia Hospital in the city of Cienfuegos, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

Munoz, 63, is suffering from bronchopneumonia and therefore requires extreme care, said Dr. Reinaldo Pino, who explained that this past May the patient was suffering from a similar condition.

Known as the “Escambray Giant,” he is responding very well to treatment and there is no danger to his life.

First baseman and cleanup hitter for the national team, of which he became captain in the period 1974-1987, Munoz is one of the most admired athletes by fans across the island. He retired in January 1991 after playing for 24 seasons.