White Sox Star Abreu Welcomes Opponents as Family

CHICAGO — José Altuve, Yuli Gurriel and the rest of the Latino players on the Astros walked into the visitors’ clubhouse at Guaranteed Rate Field and a familiar aroma ascended through their nostrils.

The group walked into the clubhouse to the scent of a Dominican breakfast — rice, beans, mangú, fried eggs and salami.

The Astros were miles away from not only their adopted homes in Houston, but their respective homes across Latin America. Still, they were made to feel at home with the simple gesture of a meal.

Except, the meal wasn’t ordered to the clubhouse by Altuve, Gurriel or any of the Latino Astros. It was ordered by one of their rivals that day, the White Sox Cuban slugger José Abreu.

“All of us Latinos love Dominican breakfasts and thanks to God, they were able to enjoy it,” Abreu said. “It’s something that is important. We do it with all of our heart.”

In ordering and delivering food to his opponents, Abreu was continuing a long-standing tradition amongst Latinos in Major League Baseball.

For years now, it’s become customary for a veteran Latino to order and deliver a traditional meal from home to the visitors during a series.

“Between us we have to help each other and I think it’s a brotherhood,” Abreu said. “That’s something correct with the Latino community.”

When Abreu debuted with the White Sox in 2014, the Cuban rookie experienced the tradition for the first time.

Five years later, Abreu has become a face for the White Sox. He’s also proven to be a mentor to young Latinos in the clubhouse and to Latinos across the big leagues.

He went from being on the receiving end of meals to being the one who makes sure visitors feel at home.

But, before he could partake in the tradition, Abreu wanted to learn exactly when and how the tradition began.

It all began with a legendary Latino figure.

Abreu discovered that the practice started with Vladimir Guerrero Sr., whose mother, Altagracia, would cook and prepare meals. Guerrero would arrive at the ballpark with meals not only for him and his Latino teammates, but also his opponents.

“From that moment on, we all looked at ways to follow in Vladi’s footsteps,” Abreu said. “It supports all of us Latinos in a nutritional way.”

Not only does it nurture them, it also gives them a sense of familiarity, regardless of where they might be.

It can be tough for Latino players, veterans and young players alike, to adjust to the major league lifestyle of travel and being away from home and family. That’s where their tight bond is on display and where they can come together to make them adjust just a little bit more.

“We have to be grateful for all that we have and all the beautiful things this sport has given us,” White Sox infielder Yolmer Sánchez said. “We need to keep helping each other.”

Bringing meals for each other is a start. It helps when the rival on the field enjoys the food too.

“It was good,” Altuve said of the food that Abreu ordered.

Sánchez loves and appreciates the tradition. He hopes that the White Sox will travel to Miami soon in order to experience “real good Venezuelan food.”

But, when Abreu, Sánchez and the Latino members of the White Sox hit the road, they hope to be greeted with a similar aroma as the Astros experienced when they walk into the visitors’ clubhouse.

As a seasoned veteran, Abreu has tasted Latino food from various cities in the United States and Canada. But, which road city has the best food?

“When you’re hungry, they’re all good,” Abreu said with a hearty laugh.

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