Leonys Martín Tápanes (born March 6, 1988) is a Cuban-American professional baseball center fielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Born in Cuba, he played locally for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team in international competitions, including the 2009 World Baseball Classic.\n', '

While in Taiwan for the 2010 World University Baseball Championship, Martín defected from Cuba in order to become a Major League Baseball free agent. He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2011, and made his MLB debut later that season. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians.\n', '

Martín was born in Villa Clara Province in Cuba. He was named after Lionel Richie, his mother\'s favorite musical artist. His father worked as a foreman for a fishing company, while his mother raised Martín and his four siblings, a brother and three sisters. Martín\'s father taught Leonys to play baseball.\n', '

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