Jose Contreras: Family Unity
   

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In October 2002, star pitcher Jose Contreras, defected from Cuba while pitching for the Cuban national team during the Americas Series in Santillo, Mexico. After he established residency in Nicaragua and became a free agent, the Yankees signed him to a $32 million, four-year contract, creating big expectations in New York (40).

Nearly 21 months after the star pitcher escaped Cuba and reached the United States, Contreras’ family also defected from Cuba and joined him. Contreras was reunited with his wife and two daughters.  "I'm going to show them all the beautiful things New York has to offer," Contreras said (41).

Contreras' family was among a group of 21 Cubans that left Cuba on a 31-foot boat.  The group was captured by U.S. Border Patrol agents and was then transferred into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody the following morning.  Cubans who reach U.S. shores are generally permitted to stay, while those caught at sea are usually taken back (42).

The family, looking tired but in good health, was processed and interviewed by immigration agents. Next they were examined by Miami-Dade County medical officials before being released. Contreras arrived on a commercial flight and saw his family a few hours later.
"I thought I would never see him again," Contreras' wife said (43).

Nicaragua twice granted Contreras' family visas, but the Cuban government denied permission for his relatives to leave the island. In late 2002, Contreras' family was informed it would have to wait five years for a document required to leave (44).

In Jose Contreras’ next starting pitching performance for the New York Yankees, the entire country watched the nationally televised game.  Fans of all races watched the emotional game as Jose Contreras pitched in front of his family at Yankee Stadium.  Although the game was nothing more than the typical regular season contest, the game itself symbolized much more.  It represented the growing impact that the Latino players and the Latino culture had on the game.