Cuban Star Andy Pages Finds Bittersweet Dodgers Success Amid Family Separation
Andy Pages, a talented outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has experienced both success and personal sacrifice as he pursues his baseball dreams. While he excels on the field, the emotional weight of family separation looms large.
Cuban Star’s Journey to the Dodgers
Hailing from Mantua, Cuba, Pages is separated from his family by just 90 miles of ocean. Unfortunately, political tensions between Cuba and the United States have long prevented familial reunification. As the Dodgers prepare to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, Pages’ family will likely follow the game from Cuba, unable to attend in person.
At just 24 years old, Pages is already making a significant mark in Major League Baseball. He secured a World Series ring last season and is making his second postseason appearance this year. During the regular season, he notched 27 home runs, surpassed only by Shohei Ohtani among Dodgers players. Additionally, he posted commendable stats:
- 86 RBIs
- .272 batting average
- 14 stolen bases
- 268 total bases
He became the first Dodgers center fielder in 13 years to hit over .250 with a minimum of 23 home runs in a single season.
Family Separation and Struggles
While Pages has achieved remarkable success, his family has not witnessed his professional journey firsthand. Instead, they view his games through pictures or poor-quality broadcasts, facing communication challenges due to Cuba’s unreliable electrical infrastructure. Pages speaks of these difficulties, noting that he can only connect with his family through a few phone calls each week, often disrupted by power outages.
Growing up in Pinar del Rio, Pages initially played baseball with handcrafted bats made by his father, Liban. By age 15, he had emerged as one of Cuba’s leading young prospects, eventually arranging an escape from the island with fellow player Jairo Pomares. Their journey led them through multiple countries before Pages signed with the Dodgers in March 2018, receiving a $300,000 bonus—astronomically high compared to the average Cuban wage.
The Emotional Toll of Pursuing a Dream
Despite the financial success, the emotional cost is undeniable. Pages’ ability to return to Cuba is highly restricted, and he was only able to reunite with his family briefly in the winter of 2023 after seven years apart. This experience reflects a broader issue faced by many players from countries with travel restrictions. Fellow Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, originally from Venezuela, shared similar sentiments about family separation. Rojas described the struggle to see his loved ones, emphasizing the emotional weight that comes with their professional aspirations.
As the Dodgers celebrate their postseason victories, Pages often finds himself alone while teammates reunite with their families. He acknowledges the difficulty of missing his loved ones while remaining committed to achieving his goals. “There are those days when you feel like crying,” Pages admitted, “but we are determined to make them proud.”
Pages’ story highlights the bittersweet nature of success against the backdrop of personal sacrifice. His journey not only represents his own dreams but also those of his family, who continue to support him from afar.
