Brothers Hernandez share their first embrace in three years

Dan LeBatard

Lady Liberty is standing in the parking lot of Victor's Cafe, right next to the handicapped spaces. She is green and holding a torch, and she is about 12-feet high. Emblazoned in gold under her feet, in Spanish, are these words: ``Light the path of our Cuban brothers so they arrive safe and sound on the land of liberty.''

Inside, Cuban brothers are embracing -- finally safe and finally sound and finally free. Livan and Orlando Hernandez took different paths to get near this symbolic statue -- the little brother crossing a street, the big brother crossing an ocean -- but now, in front of more than 100 reporters, they are holding each other for the first time in nearly three years. Livan is telling his brother, ``Please Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.'' But Orlando is sniffling, ``It's inevitable,'' burying his face in Livan's neck and weeping until his shoulders shake in his little brother's arms.

``I could give you a million words,'' Orlando would say later, ``and it wouldn't come close to telling you what my heart was feeling during that hug.''

That was the moving scene early Tuesday evening, at a news conference to officially announce that Cuba's winningest pitcher will wear the most American uniform in sports. But it was later, after the lights had been turned off and the TV cameras had gone, that you saw how absolute that statue's freedom is.

Because it was then that Orlando chose to get into a caravan of cars and head to a private party with his agent.

And it was then that Livan went out to dinner in Coconut Grove alone.

``I don't get along with those people you are with,'' Livan said.

``I'll call you later,'' Orlando said.

The brothers had discussed this briefly in the only place they could be alone. They had shared this extraordinarily private moment in an extraordinarily public setting, so they were besieged afterward by flashbulbs and questions and autograph requests. They tried to escape upstairs in a private elevator, but a large group followed them there, too. So, after three years apart, you know where they spent their only 10 minutes of quality time alone? In a bathroom.

Livan doesn't trust Orlando's agent, Joe Cubas. He says Cubas tried to take advantage of his naiveté upon arriving in this country by taking 25 percent of his contract -- a claim Cubas denies angrily. Livan warned his older brother, ``Don't trip on the same rocks I've tripped on,'' but Orlando has told him, ``You have to separate brothers and business.''

Cubas got Orlando $6.6 million from the New York Yankees, an extraordinary amount considering that Orlando hasn't pitched in nearly two years and guesses on his age range from 28 (Orlando's) to 37 (Dodgers scout Ralph Avila). Orlando says he has stayed in shape by practicing the rowing and swimming he feared he might have had to do if his raft hadn't gotten him to the Bahamas.

To critics who wonder if he'll be a Cuban Hideki Irabu, Orlando says, ``If I could overcome Cuban obstacles, I think I can overcome the ones here. I'll pitch with my heart in my hand. I come with my mind high, not with arrogance, but prepared to be positive. Am I ready? The field will tell you.''

It looks like Tuesday's joy is mixed with tragedy. News of Orlando's rich signing reached Cuba, and prompted five others to try getting off the island by raft. Four member of the Cuban national team -- first baseman Jorge Luis Toca, catcher Angel Lopez, second baseman Jorge Luis Olano and pitching coach Enrique Chenea -- plus a prospect (16-year-old Michael Jova) left Cuba nine days ago. They are lost at sea.

At Tuesday's remarkable press conference -- a press conference during which George Steinbrenner was compared to Fidel Castro, a press conference which ended with Orlando actually saying the words, ``If there's time to make a movie during my vacation, I will.'' -- Cubas and Orlando tried to thank as many people as they could. In Spanish and English, they alternately thanked the Yankees, the children of Cuba, the fans of Miami, the president of Costa Rica, all of the Bahamas, two Cuban-American politicians and ``the Good Lord's holy hand.'' Orlando paused and asked his publicist, Rene Guim, if he was forgetting to thank anyone. Guim whispered in his ear. Orlando thanked a few more people and countries. Livan's name was never mentioned until he came in through the back of the room, pushing through reporters to get to his brother.

Orlando, alternately cracking his knuckles and putting his hands in the front of his pants, looked overwhelmed upon seeing all the cameras. He apologized for being nervous and said he would rather pitch in front of 50,000 people than be standing in this room. He didn't look comfortable until hisbrother arrived. Livan pretended to box with him, just like when they were little. He playfully put his fist against his brother's chin and, when the flashbulbs went off, he asked a photographer to ``Get that picture to me later, and make sure it is big.'' They had their arms around each other a lot.

Livan -- who traded in his Porsche for a convertible red Mercedes because the Porsche didn't have space for his golf clubs -- promised to show his brother how to golf. Orlando joked that he would show his brother how to keep a raft afloat. Orlando said Livan is the better pitcher. Livan said Orlando is the better pitcher.

``When did you start smoking?'' Livan asked his brother at one point.

``Nerves,'' Orlando said. ``You know what they did to me in Cuba.''

``We're home now,'' Livan said. ``We're home.''