Levine: Jose Abreu Happy About America-Cuba Connection, President Obama's Visit

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- White Sox first baseman and Cuba native Jose Abreu was one proud MLB player Tuesday. As he was holding court with the media, the Cuban national team was playing host to the Tampa Bay Rays in an exhibition that was attended by Barack Obama, who this week became the first American president to visit the Communist island country in 88 years, as part of a diplomatic effort to improve relations.

Obama singled out Abreu and his flight to freedom from Cuba to play baseball in the United States. An aggressor in opening relations with Cuba, Obama spoke of how this he hopes a situation like Abreu's -- having to secretly flee Cuba -- will never occur again, with the relaxing of restrictions between the two countries.

Entering his third year with the White Sox, Abreu was touched and emotional after hearing Obama's comments. Obama sat next to Cuba president Raul Castro and watched Tuesday's game between the two countries.

"I want to thank President Obama and the government of Cuba for making this happen," Abreu said. "This is a very good thing, and I am personally very excited today."

The last time an MLB team played against Cuba was 1999, when the Baltimore Orioles and Cuban national team played a home-and-home two-game series. Abreu was 12 at the time and remembered the enormity of watching that event unfold.

"It was a huge event," Abreu said. "My father purchased a TV, a black-and-white TV to watch the games. We did not have a TV but somehow he got one for that. That was how important it was. We had no money to go to the game or have TV."

Abreu had a straightforward message for all the free world to hear.

"All I want you to know is the people in Cuba are human beings," Abreu said. "They do the best they can to help show baseball is alive. All I want people to understand is that the are human beings."

Abreu has hit at least 30 homers and topped the 100-RBI mark in each of his first two big league seasons.

"I am very grateful to be in the U.S and playing baseball here," he said. "I was able to go there in December and see people, including my son. I hope I can go back again, see the people and be reunited with my family again."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.