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Contreras' Wife, 2 Daughters Leave Cuba

By DAVID GINSBURG
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 22, 2004; 9:10 PM

BALTIMORE - Jose Contreras' family defected from Cuba this week, and the New York Yankees pitcher left the team Tuesday and traveled to Miami to reunite with his wife and two daughters.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Barbara Gonzalez said she did not know details on how the family got out of Cuba. A call to U.S. Border Patrol officials was not immediately returned.

"It's spectacular news," Yankees manager Joe Torre said before Tuesday night's game at Baltimore.

Wife Miriam, 11-year-old Naylan and 3-year-old Naylenis were taken by the border patrol to immigration offices, where they were interviewed and released.

After being examined by Miami-Dade County medical officials, they left with Contreras' agent, Jaime Torres, early Tuesday evening.

The family looked tired, and Torres said they were "in pretty good condition."

"I have spoken to Jose. Needless to say, he was very happy," Torres said. "His family has been separated for more than a year and a half. This is their dream come true."

Contreras was expected to arrive in Miami late Tuesday, Torres said.

"Thanks to God, they are free," Torres said. "We are very happy and they can have a reunion with their family."

Contreras, the former star on Cuba's national team, defected in October 2002. Nicaragua twice granted Contreras' family visas, but the Cuban government denied permission for his relatives to leave the island.

In late 2002, Contreras' family was informed that it would have to wait five years for a document required to leave.

While Contreras kept in contact with his family, the separation was often mentioned as a reason the ace pitcher might have struggled since reaching the majors.

Contreras is 4-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts this year, and was sent back to the minors earlier in the season. He is expected to make his next start Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the New York Mets.

"We all need so much support in this game, and a lot of comes from people outside the park," Torre said. "He had really his home and four walls, so it's tough to go home and not think about bad things that have happened or good things that may turn bad.

"The fact that he has been going home to that empty room, that empty apartment, probably is one of the toughest things someone can do," he said.

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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.


© 2004 The Associated Press