René Arocha studied at the Regla high school in Havana. After graduating high school, Arocha became a member of Cuba\'s famed national baseball team.\n', '

In 1991, during an international competition, Arocha defected, opting for a life in the United States and the chance at playing in the Major Leagues. His story became known across the States when Hispanic media began talking about him, and Arocha was the subject of many television reports on Telemundo and Univision.\n', '

In 1991, Arocha was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, and assigned to the Cardinals\' farm team in Louisville, Kentucky. As a pitcher in Louisville in 1992, Arocha posted 12 wins and 7 losses with an earned run average of 2.70. These numbers prompted the Cardinals to bring Arocha to the Major Leagues, and he debuted with the Cardinals in 1993, winning 11 games and losing 8, while striking out 96 opponents and accumulating an ERA of 3.78.\n', '

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