The thaw in US and Cuban relations has awakened memories of the 50's. I can recall news reports of 1959 announcing the fall of Batista and Castro's victory. As a 13 year old, I am not sure which side I was rooting for. It probably was the insurgents. I don't think the American press presented Batista in a very positive light.

Curiously, my other memories of the 50's are the 1957 and 1958 World Series. The Milwaukee Braves won in 1957 and lost in 1958.

Both instances of winners and losers--albeit with very different stakes. Baseball starts over with a new season each year. Nation states are on a very different and unpredictable time schedule. After a 55 year off season, the US and Cuba are about to begin a new season.