Marlins Player Reunites With Grandmother From Cuba
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Marlins Young Ace Jose Fernandez had an emotional reunion with his grandmother from Cuba after six years of being apart.
She got in just in time to see the 21-year old pitcher be named National League's Rookie of the Year.
Fernandez left the shores of Cuba six years ago, finally reaching American soil in his fourth attempt to defect.
During the dangerous journey, Fernandez, then just 15-years old, jumped into rough seas to save his mother who had fallen overboard.
Six years later, Fernandez became the Marlins' star attraction at the tender age of 21. Sunday at Marlins park Jose was being interviewed about his great rookie season without realizing the Marlins had cooked up a surprise reunion
Fernandez's grandmother,Olga, had been flown in from Cuba. Seeing her face-to-face for the first time in six years left Jose speechless.
Fernandez took her on a tour of the park, and then allowed her to show off her skills.
The joyous reunion was capped a day later in Orlando, when Fernandez, flanked by his mother and grandmother, was overwhelmingly voted National League's Rookie of the Year.
"Having my grandma here means a lot. I've been trying to get her over here since I got here . You know it's pretty exciting. She knows a lot about baseball, so she's pretty happy about this and I am just blessed to have her over here," said Fernandez.
