TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Cuban pitcher settles in new home base

Photo by CRAIG BAILEY

A little more than a year ago, Jose Delfin Fernandez was on a boat fleeing Cuba and saving his mother's life.

ADVERTISEMENT

By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: May 22, 2009

Updated: 05/22/2009 07:07 am

TAMPA - A little more than a year ago, Jose Delfin Fernandez found himself on a boat fleeing Cuba and saving his mother's life during the trip. Today, when Fernandez plays with his Alonso High teammates in the state high school baseball tournament, the memories of that ordeal will still be fresh in his mind.

More than anything else, Fernandez, a 16-year old sophomore, is thankful for being with his family in the United States.

"I," Fernandez said, searching for the words in English, "I'm just so happy."

Fernandez grew up in Santa Clara, Cuba. He came from a modest home, one he shared with his parents, sister and grandmother. He attended school. And, of course, he played baseball. Three times between the ages of 9 and 12, Fernandez was a member of the Cuban youth national baseball all-star team for his age division.

"He was one of their top prospects," said his uncle, Orlando Chinea.

But Ramon Jimenez, Fernandez's father, wanted a better life for his son and the rest of his family. That life, he believed, was in the United States. So in 2004, Jimenez set out to provide it.

Jimenez, an orthopedic surgeon in Cuba, was the first to emigrate, leaving his family behind. Fernandez said it was a mutual family decision for his father to leave first so that he could establish himself in the United States.

"My dad coming first and then my mom, me, and my sister coming, everything was better," Fernandez said. "If you come with four people at once, you're like, 'Wow, what are you doing now.'"

In the early months of 2008, Jimenez, who works as a physician's assistant, sent word that it was time for his family to join him in the United States. The first two times Fernandez, along with his mother, Martiza Gomez, and sister Yadenis Jimenez, attempted to flee Cuba, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted their vessel. Fernandez and the rest of the passengers were forced to return to Cuba, which they knew was not a good thing.

"I thought 'when I go back to Cuba, I'm in big trouble,'" Fernandez said. He was right.

"You finished in life right here," Fernandez said he was told. He was also told he couldn't go to school or play baseball.

The only option was to keep trying. So 15 days later, after being caught a second time, Fernandez embarked on his third attempt. It was the one that ultimately proved successful, but it didn't happen without suspense.

"I was scared," Fernandez said through Chinea. "I didn't know if I was going to live or die. It was very dangerous. Very big waves."

At one point during his 2 1/2 days at sea, a wave crashed on the boat, sending his mother, who was unable to swim, overboard. Fernandez dove in to her rescue. During a near two-week stay in Mexico, Fernandez and his family were forced to the streets in search of food after their limited provisions ran out. After nearly 25 days of traveling, Fernandez found his way to Tampa, where the adjustment to his new home began.

Fernandez spoke no English when he arrived, and he couldn't muster enough communication skills to walk into a McDonald's to order food. The one thing he did know was baseball, a game that helped ease his transition into his new surroundings, according to Alonso coach Landy Faedo.

"Baseball is universal, and that's one way to interact and meet friends," Faedo said. "It doesn't matter what language you speak, it's the same game."

Fernandez continues to grasp the English language. He's able to converse with his teammates, even if sometimes things don't come out quite as he hopes, Faedo said.

"He's adjusted fine," Faedo said. "It's a new way of life for him here and everything, but he just has a great work ethic and someone like him, obviously the transition is going to be easy for coming from what he came from and the opportunities that are going to await him in the future. He's a good-hearted person."

If Alonso wins today in Port St. Lucie against Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley, Fernandez, who has a 6-1 record with a 2.96 earned run average, will likely be the Ravens' starting pitcher for the Class 6A state championship game Saturday.

Whether that opportunity comes is not important, though. Simply being here is enough.

"I feel free," Fernandez said through his uncle. "I feel like a bird."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT