Baseball, Men

Baseball had been contested as a demonstration sport multiple times prior to 1992, most recently in 1984 and 1988. Finally, the IOC relented and elevated baseball to full medal status at the 1992 Olympic Games. Cuba was by far the top nation internationally, but had boycotted the 1984 and 1988 Olympics and thus, did not compete in those demonstration events. The Cuban baseball team had won the previous 12 world championships and had a 62-1 record in international competition since 1986. They were the heavy favorites and won easily, never losing a game, and trailing only once. Their top players were their 3rd baseman, Omar Linares, and outfielder, Orestes Kindelán. The silver medalists, Chinese Taipei, included 11 players who had previously played on championship teams at the Little League World Series. The United States, the home of baseball, failed to win a medal, although the USA team included several future Major League stars, notably Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, and Jason Varitek.