KANSAS CITY -- José Abreu experienced a moment on Monday that forever will surpass any three-homer game or winning hit the White Sox first baseman might produce.
Abreu was reunited with his five-year-old son, Dariel, whom he has seen once since coming to the United States and joining the White Sox prior to the 2014 season. That visit came in December during Major League Baseball's goodwill tour to Cuba.
Dariel will be with his father until the start of September, but with a five-year visa, he will be able to return soon. Abreu returned to his Florida home to spend Monday's off-day with his son and rejoined the team on Tuesday in Kansas City for the series opener against the Royals.
"I couldn't say anything to him in that moment. I just started crying," Abreu said through interpreter Billy Russo of his reaction when first seeing his son, who turns six on Sept. 17. "I'm very happy.
"I'm very happy to have my son with me here. I want to thank everybody who was involved in that process to help me and to help him to be with me right now. It was a long process, but finally we did it, and we are together again. Yesterday was a very special moment when I saw him and we were reunited at my house. It was a very special moment for me and for him, too."
This weekend's series in Miami marks the first time Dariel will be able to see his dad live in action, although he has watched videos of Abreu playing for the White Sox. Abreu added that his son is excited to see him play, but more excited simply to be with his father.
In that same conversation, Abreu proudly told the media assembled around his locker that they all will be able to meet Dariel this weekend.
"I'm very grateful and thankful to my agents. They were the ones who put it all together to make this happen," Abreu said. "I couldn't believe it until yesterday when I finally saw him. That was a very special moment. I'm very thankful to all the people who were involved."
After going homerless from June 25 to Aug. 3, Abreu went deep in three of his last four games moving into Tuesday's series opener at Kauffman Stadium. Abreu was a triple shy of the cycle on Sunday against Baltimore as he works toward the incredibly high bar set during his first two seasons in the Majors.
Having his son with him, something he has dreamed about since coming to the United States, only can help the ecstatic and emotional Abreu on the field.
"You can tell he's got a little bounce in his step. You're happy for him," manager Robin Ventura said. "He has been dreaming for this a long time. You can just tell it has picked his spirits up as of late knowing this was going to happen.
"He's happy. I can't imagine that, what that is. He's a great guy and I know he always wants to do the right thing, so this is pretty important to him."