Chicago Magazine Sheds New Light On Jose Abreu's Defection From Cuba
(CBS) A profile on Jose Abreu published Monday in Chicago Magazine sheds the most extensive light yet on the White Sox slugger's defection from Cuba.
Abreu was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2014 after a debut campaign in which he hit .317 with 36 homers and 117 RBIs. Until now, limited details were known about his harrowing journey from Cuba to Haiti that started late one night in August 2013, but Abreu revealed more in an interview with Chicago Magazine. While the story doesn't cite who may have been helping Abreu and his family defect, it's a good read and depicts how difficult it was for Abreu to leave some family behind.
Abreu defected from Cuba with his fiancée,parents, sister and brother-in-law, Chicago Magazine reported.
The opening paragraph from the feature story:
They left in the middle of the night, entrusting their fate to a tiny boat, its two motors, and the ink-black sea. For 12 hours, they pressed on. Through darkness, then dawn, then scorching daylight. Through 15-foot waves. And through the paths of trawlers and other ships that could cut their own 20-foot vessel in two.
Abreu "likely" had professional help in finding his way to the United States, Chicago Magazine reported.
"It was dangerous," Abreu told Chicago Magazine. "The waves were high, but the Lord was at our side. God gave us the chance to reach our destination."
When asked for more details Monday at spring training about his journey to the United States, Abreu didn't elaborate much, saying it's a "sensitive" subject.
He signed a six-year, $68-million deal in October 2013 with Chicago. Abreu established residency in Haiti first so that he could become a free agent instead of being thrown in the draft pool.
