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When Astros slugger Jordan Alvarez stepped up to the plate for the first time Tuesday night, he had three more special guests cheering him on.
Fresh off his arrival from Cuba, his father Agustin Eduardo Alvarez Salazar, teary-eyed mother Mylene Cadogan Reyes and brother Yonder Alvarez Cadogan, each wearing No. 44 Alvarez jersey, watched the Houston star play professionally as they proudly looked out onto the field. For the first time.
“This is one of the greatest moments of my life,” his father told The Associated Press through a Spanish interpreter. “And I could say many words, but the truth is that there are no words to describe what I feel now.”
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Houston Astros’ Jordan Alvarez looks to hit a single against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in Houston.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillips)
The boy did his part as the AL West leaders beat Minnesota 4-2.
Getting to Minute Maid Park to see Alvarez make his debut in his fourth major league season has been a long and arduous operation with many avenues closed.
“It was an extensive process to get here,” Salazar said. We had to go through many difficulties to get here today.
Despite those struggles, the family lost hope of ever seeing their son play in the majors. They arrived on Friday.
“It never crossed our minds that we couldn’t be here,” his father said. “We know we have to face problems to make things happen and that’s why we’re here today.”
So how did Alvarez, who had long expressed his desire to see his family play, react when he finally found out after a long wait that they would be watching him?
Astros Justin Verlander is good for a pull after six hitless innings, 91 pitches.
Houston Astros Jordan Alvarez, Agustin Eduardo Alvarez Salazar, back and Mylene Cadogan Reyes take their seats to watch the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros play a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in Houston. Alvarez’s parents saw him play as a professional Tuesday night for the first time since arriving from Cuba on Friday.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillips)
“He was happy and excited because we were all waiting for this moment to come,” Salazar said.
Alvarez was inspired by how special his parents were when they saw him play after being away for so long.
“It means everything,” he said through an interpreter in Spanish. “Obviously, when I got into the United States, it wasn’t easy. And when I got here, I got here alone. I knew I had their support, but obviously they weren’t here.”
In the year He was traded to the Astros that August. He made his MLB debut in June 2019 and won American League Rookie of the Year.
His parents missed that rookie season and his two trips to the World Series. They said that the last time they saw him play in person was in 2014.
Alvarez said he was more nervous than he was at Tuesday night’s game.
They were a little worried being away from their son, but they didn’t worry too much because they knew there was a community watching over the 25-year-old.
“I want to thank Houston because … they took Jordan in as their own son,” his father said. “And that’s something that makes us feel safe and at peace. And I’m happy for that.”
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His father beamed as he watched his son’s first at-bat Tuesday. The whole night was a little too much for his mother.
Alvarez was overcome with emotion and openly wept as she recalled the homecoming game earlier this year, telling her that Homer was going to hit her on her birthday – wiping away tears as they streamed down her face.
“I’m proud of him,” his mother said. “And this is a feeling that only a mother can feel. I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now and what is in my mind right now.”
Entering Tuesday, it was easy to see how proud Alvarez’s parents were of their son, who was tied for third in the majors with 31 homers. And although they are excited about his success on the field, they are equally excited about who he is off it.
“The first thing that makes us proud is that it’s a human being, that we raised such a good child,” Salazar said. “We have seen his talent since he was a child, but we never imagined how far he would go and how far he could reach. So we only ask God to bless him. And keep him healthy.”
Houston Astros’ Jordan Alvarez, Agustin Eduardo Alvarez Salazar, left, and Mylene Cadogan Reyes watch the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros play a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in Houston. Alvarez’s parents saw him play as a professional Tuesday night for the first time since arriving from Cuba on Friday.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillips)
For now, the family is with Alvarez at his home in Houston. Not sure how long they will last. But you’re soaking up every minute, no matter how long.
“We hope they stay here forever,” Alvarez said after the game.
When asked what the long-awaited night meant to them, both their mother and father answered almost in unison.
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“Dream come true,” they said in Spanish.
Meaning: A dream come true.
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