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The former Cuban baseball player Yuniesky Gurriel shared an emotional moment on his Instagram account, featuring his daughter Leah and Major League star José Abreu, who made the little girl's dream come true by meeting her in person and spending almost an hour discussing baseball.
"Caballo, I will always be grateful for this gesture towards my daughter, showing what you have always been, a true horse," wrote Gurriel.
He explained that a few days ago Leah came home from school with a baseball card, and upon seeing it, she said, "I know him, he's my friend."
The girl, passionate about baseball, expressed her wish to meet Abreu. Yuniesky contacted the player's agent, and the meeting became a reality: autographs, conversations, and quality time that the family will never forget.
The gesture of Abreu not only touched the now coach but also signifies a special moment in his family life.
At the beginning of this month, Yuniesky returned to Cuba after six years away, accompanied by his wife Jennifer Casares and their children, on a journey filled with emotions and reunions with his homeland.
During their stay on the Island, the Gurriel family visited iconic places in Havana and Sancti Spíritus, such as the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, the Malecón, the Julio Antonio Mella School, and the José Antonio Huelga Stadium.
There was also an intimate moment at the family home, where the children were able to learn about the family's roots and connect with their traditions, as Casares recounted on social media: "It was a journey filled with emotions, memories, laughter, and tears... Returning home, even for a few days, heals the soul."
Yuniesky, the eldest of the Gurriel brothers, had a notable career in Sancti Spíritus, Industriales, and the national team before emigrating to the United States in 2019, where he has established himself as a hitting coach in Miami, working with players of the caliber of Yasiel Puig, Mauricio Dubón, Ezequiel Tovar, and his own brothers Yulieski and Lourdes Jr.
His return to Cuba contrasts with the situation of his brother Yulieski, a Major League star and 2021 batting champion, to whom the Cuban government denied entry in 2022, despite the fact that he had fulfilled the ban period established for athletes who leave national teams.
While Yulieski is banned from returning, Yuniesky managed to close a personal chapter and provide his children the opportunity to experience the culture and affection of the Gurriel family firsthand.
The meeting between José Abreu and Leah, filled with smiles, autographs, and conversations about baseball, reflects not only the generosity of the player but also the importance of family ties and the sports legacy that connects the Gurriel family with both Cuban and American baseball.
Frequently Asked Questions about the meeting between José Abreu and the Gurriel family
What gesture did José Abreu have towards Yuniesky Gurriel's daughter?
José Abreu fulfilled Leah's dream, the daughter of Yuniesky Gurriel, by meeting her in person and talking with her about baseball for nearly an hour. This gesture was shared by Gurriel on his Instagram account, highlighting the generosity and kindness of the Major League Baseball player.
Why was Yuniesky Gurriel's return to Cuba significant?
The return of Yuniesky Gurriel to Cuba was significant as it marked his return to the island after six years of absence. Accompanied by his family, he visited iconic places and reconnected with his roots, giving his children the opportunity to experience their cultural and familial heritage.
How does Yuniesky Gurriel's situation contrast with that of his brother Yulieski?
While Yuniesky was able to return to Cuba, his brother Yulieski Gurriel has not been able to do so due to restrictions imposed by the Cuban government. Despite having completed the ban period for athletes who leave national teams, Yulieski was denied entry to the island in 2022, highlighting the challenges faced by some Cuban athletes.
What is the significance of the meeting between José Abreu and the Gurriel family in the context of Cuban baseball?
The meeting symbolizes the importance of family ties and the shared legacy in Cuban and American baseball. José Abreu, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, and the Gurriel family, an emblematic family of Cuban baseball, demonstrate how the sport can unite generations and help preserve culture and traditions in the Cuban diaspora.
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