Cuban Andy Pages Achieves Dodgers Success Amid Bittersweet Family Separation

Andy Pages, a promising talent in Major League Baseball, is making waves with the Los Angeles Dodgers while grappling with bittersweet family separation. Raised in Mantua, Cuba, Pages’ journey to success is marked by both his achievements on the field and the emotional distance from his family.

Cuban Journey to the MLB

At just 24 years old, Pages is already a key player for the Dodgers. He became a household name during the recent World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, although his family couldn’t be there to support him in person. Instead, they relied on Cuban television and internet streams to catch glimpses of his performance.

Performance Highlights

During the regular season, Pages demonstrated his exceptional skills, finishing with:

• 27 home runs, ranking second on the Dodgers behind Shohei Ohtani.
• 86 RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runs.
• A batting average of .272.
• 14 stolen bases, highlighting his speed on the bases.
• 268 total bases, placing him among the top players on the team.

Remarkably, he is the first Dodgers center fielder in 13 years to hit above .250 with at least 23 home runs during a season.

Family Separation and Sacrifice

Pages’ success comes with the price of separation from his loved ones. His mother, father, and sister have not seen him play live, relying instead on occasional phone calls that are often disrupted by Cuba’s flimsy electrical infrastructure. As he explained, this limited contact adds emotional weight to his achievements.

The journey to the U.S. was fraught with difficulties. Pages, who grew up in Pinar del Río—an area known for its poverty—had to leave Cuba at the age of 15. He was smuggled off the island with fellow prospect Jairo Pomares, traveling through Guyana, Curacao, and Haiti before reaching the Dominican Republic. In March 2018, he signed with the Dodgers, receiving a lucrative $300,000 bonus, an amount that is strikingly high compared to Cuba’s average annual wage.

Visiting Home

Pages returned to Cuba briefly in winter 2023, reuniting with his family for the first time in seven years. This emotional reunion underscores the sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams. His situation is not unique among Cuban athletes; other players like Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas face similar struggles of family separation.

Rojas expressed the pain of being far from loved ones, emphasizing that while the sacrifices are tough, the pursuit of greatness drives professional athletes forward. After celebrations, Pages often found himself alone, offering toasts to those who weren’t there physically but remained in spirit.

Looking Ahead

As Pages continues to excel in the MLB, he remains committed to making his family proud despite the distance. He acknowledges the emotional struggles but finds strength in his journey and the dreams that fueled it. With every home run and stolen base, Pages not only distances himself from his humble beginnings but also honors his family and their sacrifices.