They had been hiding in the forest for 15 days. There was little food or water. Jose knew the authorities were looking for him. Cars and trucks could be heard from the maze of thick undergrowth on the southern part of the island called Cuba. They looked towards the sky for search planes.
Night was the most frightening time for the little huddled group of escapees that would eventually number 38. The group consisted of a family of four—including two children—two teenage girls, and 32 men. Six of those men were professional baseball players in Cuba. Now, along with the others, they were preparing to flee the repressive Cuban government for freedom in America.
Late one night, they scurried from the forest to the north side of the island. They waited two days in a shack near the beach, again with little food or water. Jose thought about all the things that had occurred in his lifetime of 21 years.
He thought of how he had lost his dad at the tender age of five and how he had always wanted to be a professional ball player. But even his great athletic ability earned him only $15 a month.
“I knew things would get no better,” he said with a thick accent. “My agent paid $10,000 to a fisherman to help me escape. If I got caught, it would be prison or a work camp. But my dream was to play professional ball in America. I had to risk it!”
To a New Life
At about 8:30 p.m. on the third night, the group moved down to the water and boarded a 36-foot boat with a small motor. They tied themselves together with a thick rope and set out into the darkness. Somewhere in the darkness was America, and freedom.
They were adrift for two days and nights without food or water, slowly heading in the direction of their new home. To help keep away their fears, they listened to the steady sounds of the small motor and prayed and dreamed.
But this was still a time for great fear. Fear of the Cuban Navy, fear of being run over by a large ship, or devoured by sharks should their small boat capsize. But their biggest fear was the U.S. Coast Guard. If caught, they could be sent back to Cuba and punished severely.
At about two in the morning of their second night, they waited just inside international waters. At about 4 a.m. they moved into U.S. waters, making a dash for the coast of an island in Key West, Florida.
A few hours later they were spotted by the Coast Guard and surrendered. They were quickly taken on board, and to their relief, their process of citizenship began. After identification, they were seen by a physician, received proper papers, and transported to a church in Miami that helps refugees get jobs and housing.
Among Friends
After his escape from Cuba, the Minnesota Twins drafted Jose Cordero in 2005. He has played in their farm club, and is now a starting pitcher for the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association League. He plays winter ball with the Criollo Caguas, but calls San Juan, Puerto Rico, home. He lives there with his wife, Cynthia, who is a nurse.
I asked Jose if he wanted to say anything to the readers of this story.
“America is a wonderful place,” he responded.
“In most things America is better than Cuba. The opportunity to pursue your dreams, live your own life as you choose, and never be afraid of the government are some of them.
“In Cuba, everyone gets an education and all medical service is free. But in Cuba the most important thing is not free. In Cuba, freedom is not free!”
Jose looked at me. “Is there anything else?” I asked.
“Everyone must have a dream. Get an education and learn the language; [these] are the two most important things people should do when they come to America in order to help them find their dream. I have a college education and I speak English well.”
Then he smiled and said, “I am already living my dream. To play baseball in America has always been my dream.”
Jose Cordero came to America on October 11, 2004. One of the five remaining ball players with him was Yunel Escobar, who now plays shortstop for the Atlanta Braves.
