Watch CBS News

Jose Fernandez's Grandmother Gets To See Him Pitch

MIAMI (AP) — Jose Fernandez's grandmother attended the Miami Marlins' opener and saw him pitch for the first time since he left Cuba at age 15.

Olga Fernandez, who lives in Cuba, sat behind the Marlins' dugout for Monday's game against Colorado. She wore a Marlins uniform with her grandson's No. 16, and above that was the word "abuela" — Spanish for grandmother.

She says: "It really does mean the whole world to be here and see him pitch for the Marlins in a major league game. To be here tonight is the ultimate feeling of all the emotions — happy, proud, love."

She sat with her daughter, who is Jose's mom. Fernandez, a 21-year-old Cuban defector, became the youngest NL opening-day starter since Dwight Gooden in 1986, according to STATS.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.