As an active athlete, we had already seen it all from Danny Miranda: Olympic champion in Athens 2004, U-15 World Champion in Mazatlán 1994, Junior Champion in Sancti Spíritus 1996, and University Champion in Italy 2002, with a solid career in 12 National Series seasons, where he batted .290 with a .428 slugging percentage, 124 doubles, 36 triples, 88 home runs, and 542 RBIs.

However, in his new role as manager, he was just getting started and had already made an impact with the title won in the last Elite League at the helm of Ciego de Ávila Tigers, a team for which no one took a gamble.

He showed his tooth with the selection of reinforcements, where titles are won and lost, even though some coaches still look clueless on the podium, unsure of what to ask for. Then, on the field, he brought forth the extra something from a mix of youngsters and veterans, providing joy throughout the tournament.

Modest and composed while coaching, he won the affection of everyone with the same simplicity with which he defended first base like a cat, without fanfare, but with near-perfect effectiveness.

That's why, under his leadership, the teams he coached performed at their peak, both his hometown team, with whom he won't be able to enjoy the international award he earned through hard work, and the U-23 national team, with whom he would have been at the upcoming World Cup in Nicaragua.

An intestinal obstruction dealt a blow to history, the kind of history that the Morón native could have brilliantly written from the sidelines, thanks to his ability to win the appreciation not only of baseball players, but everyone in the staff of a baseball team, and those of us a little further along.

For us, it was a sudden blow, like a free verse no one anticipated, an eclipse that darkens without warning the familiar sun of our certainties.

It's true that death doesn't understand time or preparation, but in cases like this, it hurts deeper because it steals not only life, but also plans, promises, and dreams yet to blossom.

Amid the disbelief of this absurdity, mixed with profound sadness, the fragility of existence itself inspires us to try to leave an permanent mark on those around us, a task Danny accomplished in his short life.

The memory he leaves in the hearts he touched is worth as much as the list of achievements he sadly won't be able to complete as a coach, despite his clear talent.

He fielded so many difficult balls on first base, connected on so many challenging pitches, and made such sound decisions that it seems unbelievable to have to say goodbye to this world so soon.

However, the frustration over the departure of this promising young player won't prevent a piece of Danny Miranda from being present in every roar from now on.