When Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu was unwilling to narrate his Cuban defection story
Like any other Cuban-born player aspiring to play baseball in the US, Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu defected from Cuba to test the MLB free agent market in August 2013.
His defection story is a harrowing episode. As recounted in Chicago Magazine in March 2015, Abreu left in the middle of the night on a boat and struggled for 12 hours through the dark and 15-foot seas to escape from Cuba. Thereafter, he secured residence in Haiti and traveled to the Dominican Republic.
There, former MLB player Henry Urrutia's representatives intended to present him. Finally, two months later in October, he signed a six-year contract with the Chicago White Sox worth $68 million.
Abreu, however, refused to describe his two-year journey when he was questioned about the publication of his Cuban defection narrative to Chicago Magazine in March 2015.
"I agreed to the interview [with Chicago Magazine]; I don't know what they have written," Abreu said through White Sox's interpreter, Billy Russo. "But I don't feel very comfortable talking about my journey from Cuba to the United States. It's very sensitive, and I don't want to remember that part."
This day in 2013, the #WhiteSox signed José Abreu... 79 days after the initial report of his defection from Cuba. https://t.co/EyR6K4nVuv
"This day in 2013, the WhiteSox signed José Abreu... 79 days after the initial report of his defection from Cuba." - Christopher Kamka
In 2013, the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Colorado Rockies were among the other teams reportedly in the running for Abreu's contract. This was in addition to the Chicago White Sox.
Jose Abreu played for Cienfuegos in the Cuban National Series prior to defecting from his home country.
Jose Abreu is now with the Houston Astros
After playing for the White Sox for nine seasons, he signed a $58.5 million contract for three years with the Astros.
BREAKING: Jose Abreu is reportedly signing with the Houston Astros
Thanks for everything MVPito https://t.co/xkrENxuYg0
"BREAKING: Jose Abreu is reportedly signing with the Houston Astros." - Barstool Chicago
Abreu is currently soaking in all the change while playing at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches for Spring Training.
MLB 2023 Opening Day is on March 30. MLB fans are excited as baseball season is back!