Germán Mesa Fresneda (born May 12, 1967 in

Havana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

) is a

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

n retired

shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists wh ...

who played for the

Industriales Industriales is a baseball team in the Cuban National Series. Located in Cerro, La Habana, it is known as the only team representing the country’s capital, Havana. Industriales is historically the most successful team in the National Series, a ...

of the

Cuban National Series The Cuban National Series (, SNB) is the primary domestic professional baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban baseball league system. ...

and for the

Cuban national baseball team The Cuba national baseball team (Spanish: ''Selección de béisbol de Cuba'') represents Cuba at regional and international levels. The team is made up from the most professional players from the Cuban national baseball system. Cuba has been des ...

. Mesa was known as "El Imán" or "The Magnet" for his superior fielding skills. He was also an above average hitter and base runner who led Cuban baseball in hits, triples, and stolen bases during his career. German retired in 2002, and is now a trainer for the national team. In October 1996, Mesa was banned from Cuban baseball, for allegedly taking money from an American sports agent. His suspension was lifted in March 1998. In Olympic competition, he won a gold medal in 1992 and a silver in 2000. He is a former manager of Industriales.

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* Banned Cuban baseball players 1967 births Living people Olympic baseball players of Cuba Olympic gold medalists for Cuba Olympic silver medalists for Cuba Olympic medalists in baseball Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics Baseball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics Baseball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics Pan American Games gold medalists for Cuba Baseball players at the 1991 Pan American Games Baseball players at the 1995 Pan American Games Baseball players at the 1999 Pan American Games Baseball players from Havana Pan American Games medalists in baseball Goodwill Games medalists in baseball Competitors at the 1990 Goodwill Games Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games Medalists at the 1995 Pan American Games Medalists at the 1999 Pan American Games {{Cuba-baseball-shortstop-stub