August 7, 1998
Bullfight World... by Lyn Sherwood
The matadores of the day overcame the difficulties presented by a truly lousy sextet of bulls to provide the aficionados with a grand afternoon, last Sunday, in Plaza El Toreo de Tijuana.
No, it wasn't one of these afternoons in which everybody cut ears from every bull, and the matadores left the ring upon the shoulders of the cheering fans. No, my friends, last Sunday's action was successful because each matador gave the absolutely letter-perfect lídia to each of his bulls and in the process, demonstrated what can be accomplished, when honorable toreros are determined to search for it. It was an afternoon in which each matador reached deeply within himself, inspiring his compatriots, and realizing all that was possible from every animal.
The bulls of de Santiago were disgraceful. Small and exceptional weak, they performed poorly against the picadores and presented problems which, on most other afternoons, would have resulted in their matadores giving only the minimum and chalking up the whole thing as just another afternoon to be forgotten.
Consigned to deal with the animals were Eloy Cavazos, Manolo Arruza, and César Castañeda, in a day of historic proportions. Arruza gave his final performance in Tijuana. César Castañeda worked his first afternoon as a full matador. And, Eloy Cavazos continued to demonstrate that he is one of the finest matadores in Mexican bullfight history.
The afternoon began with various taurine organizations, presenting a truckload of plaques and other memorabilia to Arruza, commemorating the matador's long tenure in the mundo taurino.
Aficionados should not that, on any other day, the matadores perform according to seniority, measured from the time that they received their alternativas. But, on an afternoon in which a noville-ro graduates to matadorship, the initiate faces the first and last bulls of the afternoon.
So, when the first torito, Buena Suerte, stumbled into the ring, it represented the next, and most important, step in the professional career of Tijuanense César Castañeda. The animal was weak and soso (stupid), but Castañeda gave it a good set of Verónicas. The bull was over-pic'ed. In the second act, César placed banderillas in good fashion.
Then, came the alternativa ceremony, with Cavazos sponsoring the new matador, while Arruza was the witness. In his faena, César dealt properly with the animal, giving the correct lídia. The new matador killed on the third entry and was warmly applauded.
With the last bull of the day, Castañeda proved his mettle by working exceptionally well with cape and muleta. He was directed, every step of the way, by Cavazos, who was genuinely inspired by César talents. César killed, well, and was awarded a turn of the ring.
Eloy's first bull was a small cárdeno, to which the matador gave nice Verónicas, a pair of Chicuelinas, and a grand media Verónica. After one light pic, Eloy requested the change of act.
With the muleta, the Little Giant gave a faena typical of his style, working well on the right and left. A great sword placement toppled the torito and Eloy was awarded two ears for a one-ear performance.
But, with his second bull, Eloy let it all hand out. The castaño was the best bull of the day, and Cavazos gave it a performance that would have had the stands rocking in Madrid or Sevilla. His faena was spectacular, running the hand long, with low, slow, close right- and left-handed muletazos, mere centimeters from the matador's body. Unfortunately, Eloy encountered difficulty with the sword and was limited to applause. What a shame that he could not have combined his two lídias, the faena to his second bull and the sword to his first.
Manolo Arruza wanted to triumph. Did he ever! His mother, Mari Carmen de Arruza, was present, as was one of Mexico's greatest toreros, David Silveti.
With his first bull, Cariñoso, a classless manso, the son of Carlos Arruza offered a classy performance. His muletazos were elegant and artistic, as he dominated in excellent fashion. His sword placement, although instantly effective, was very low, thus denying awards.
Then with his second bull. Arruza realized everything that the bull had, and more. It was a terrible animal, but the lídia that Arruza gave it was worthy of applause from even the most hard-nosed aficionados. No, it wasn't a triumphant performance, but it was totally proper and honest. And, the ear that he cut, following two entries, wasn't really deserved. But, it did reflect the brand of honest toreo that has marked Arruza's entire career.
At the end of the afternoon, the aficionados knew that they had seen a terrible herd of bulls, but had witnessed a wonderful afternoon.
Adios, Manolo. Welcome, César. Thank you, Eloy.
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