Dodgers Star Andy Pages Faces Family Separation During World Series
Cuban outfielder Andy Pages of the Los Angeles Dodgers is preparing for the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, but his success comes with a heavy heart. While Pages shines on the field, his family remains thousands of miles away in Mantua, Cuba, unable to join him due to strict travel restrictions and enduring political tensions between the United States and Cuba.
Just 90 miles of open ocean separate Pages’ hometown from the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Yet, for over six decades, these waters have represented a significant barrier, dividing families and complicating communication. As the Dodgers gear up for the championship, Pages’ parents and sister will not be in the stadium, instead relying on sporadic television coverage or radio broadcasts to catch a glimpse of his performance.
“I wish they could be here with me,” Pages expressed in Spanish, emphasizing the emotional toll of his family’s separation. Despite his achievements, including hitting 27 home runs and ranking among the top offensive players on the Dodgers, his family has never seen him play in person while wearing the team’s uniform. Communication is limited to two or three phone calls a week, often disrupted by Cuba’s unreliable power supply. “There are times we can’t because the power is out or something,” he added.
Andy Pages has made sacrifices to pursue his baseball career. Growing up in Pinar del Río, a region characterized by poverty, he played with handmade bats crafted by his father, Liban, a carpenter. By the age of 15, Pages was recognized as one of Cuba’s top baseball prospects. His journey to the United States began when he arranged to leave the island with fellow player Jairo Pomares.
The two young athletes faced a perilous journey through Guyana, Curacao, and Haiti before reaching the Dominican Republic. After an eight-month wait, Pages signed with the Dodgers in March 2018, securing a contract that included a $300,000 bonus—an amount that dwarfs the average annual wage in Cuba, which is about $200, according to CiberCuba. The contract brought professional opportunities but also the harsh reality of prolonged family separation, as Pages could not foresee when he would see his parents again.
Travel restrictions for Cuban citizens complicate matters further. For defectors like Pages, returning home is fraught with challenges. He managed to visit Cuba in winter 2023, reuniting with his family for the first time in seven years. “It was emotional to see them again, but it was bittersweet knowing I had to leave,” he reflected.
Pages is not alone in his struggles. Miguel Rojas, a veteran infielder for the Dodgers from Venezuela, shares similar experiences. “My father is in Venezuela. I can’t really see my sister that many times,” Rojas said, highlighting the challenges faced by many professional athletes from countries with restrictive travel policies. “But we signed up for this. We want to follow our dreams, and I’m sure Pages’ family dreams of him playing in the big leagues.”
After each celebratory moment in the postseason, while teammates reunite with their families, Pages often finds himself alone, reflecting on the sacrifices made for his career. At one point, he quietly raised a toast to those who support him from afar, acknowledging their presence in spirit.
“There are days when you feel like crying, yes. Because you miss them,” Pages admitted. “But what you think afterward is that this is what it is. We have to keep going, and we’re going to make them proud.”
As the Dodgers compete for the championship, Pages embodies the resilience and determination of many athletes navigating the complexities of family separation while striving for success on the world stage. His journey is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams, and the enduring bonds that remain despite the distance.
