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When Astros slugger Jordan Alvarez stepped up to the plate in the first inning on Tuesday night, he had three special guests cheering him on.
His father, Agustín Eduardo Alvarez Salazar, who had just arrived from Cuba, his tear-eyed mother Mairin Cadogan Reyes, and brother Yonder Alvarez Cadogan each proudly walked out on the field wearing the number 44 Alvarez jersey. Staring and watching the Houston star play professionally…for the first time.
“This is one of the biggest moments of my life,” his father told the Associated Press in Spanish through an interpreter. “And I could say so many words, but the truth is there are no words to express what I feel right now.
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His son did his part too, scoring an early hit as the AL West leaders beat Minnesota 4–2.
Watching Alvarez’s fourth major league season for the first time at Minute Maid Park was a long and arduous task with many obstacles.
“It’s been a long road to get here,” Salazar said. “I had to overcome many obstacles to get here today.”
Despite these struggles, the family never lost hope of being able to see their son play in the majors.
“We never thought we couldn’t be here,” his father said. “We know we have to face challenges to make things happen, and that is why we are here today.”
So how did Alvarez, whose family had long said they wanted to see him play, reacted when they learned they could finally see him play after so long awaiting?
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“We were all waiting for this moment to come, so he was just happy and excited.
Alvarez was thrilled to see how special it was for his long-apart parents to finally get to see him play.
“That means everything,” he said in Spanish through a translator. “Obviously, it wasn’t easy when I came to the United States. I knew I had their support, but they clearly weren’t here.”
Alvarez defected from Cuba in 2016 and took up residence in Haiti before signing with the Dodgers as an international free agent in June of that year. He was traded to the Astros in August of the same year. He made his MLB debut in June 2019 and won the American League Rookie of the Year award.
His parents missed out on that glorious rookie season and two appearances in the World Series. He last saw him play in 2014.
Alvarez said Tuesday night’s game was the most nerve-wracking he’s ever been in, more nervous than any World Series game he’s played in.
They were, of course, a little worried while away from their son, but they knew the whole community was watching over their 25-year-old son, so they weren’t too concerned.
“I want to thank Houston because … they adopted Jordan as their child,” his father said. “And that’s what makes us feel safe and at peace. I am delighted to
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The father smiled as he watched his son’s first at-bat on Tuesday. One night was a little too much for his mother.
When she recalled a game earlier this year when Alvarez called home to say she hit a home run on her birthday, she was overwhelmed with emotion and cried openly — each time tears streamed down her face. I wiped away my tears.
“I’m just proud,” said his mother. “And this is an emotion that only a mother knows how it feels. There are no words to express what I feel and what is going through my heart right now.”
It was easy to see how proud Alvarez’s parents were for their son. He hit 31 home runs on Tuesday to tie for third in the majors. And while they’re thrilled with his success on the field, they’re just as excited for who he is.
“The first thing that makes us proud is that he became a human being and that we raised a very good kid,” Salazar said. , never thought or imagined how far he would go or how far he could reach…and keep him healthy.”
For now, the family is staying at Alvarez’s home in Houston. I don’t know how long they can stay. However, no matter how long, they are immersed in each moment.
“I hope they stay here forever,” Alvarez said after the game.
When asked about the meaning of the long-awaited night, my father and mother gave almost identical answers.
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“Un sueño hecho realidad,” they said in Spanish.
Translation: Dreams come true.