Deivy Hernández: Dreams Beyond Little League

Deivy Hernández is a 12-year-old star pitcher with Cuba’s team in the Little League World Series. For Deivy and many teammates,this trip is not just about baseball. It’s about reuniting with parents and siblings they haven’t seen in years.

Cuba debuted with a win over Czech Republic this Thursday 4-1. They play again on Monday 08/19 at 5pm ET.

“I still can’t believe I’m going to the U.S. It’s going to be a dream for me,” says Deivy Hernández, a star pitcher with the Cuban team playing in the Little League World Series.

Going to the World Series is important to Deivy for reasons beyond baseball. Deivy’s father has lived in the U.S. for years. Deivy’s brother left Cuba to join their father in 2021.

“Daddy,” says Deivy at his home in Santa Clara on July 2024 in a videocall with his father and brother.

“Hey, kid. How are things? How are you, champ?, Deivy’s father, Leivy, asks him.

“Deivy, are you ready to win the title here?,” Deivy’s brother, Leivy Jr., asks him.

“Of course,” he answers.

“How many home runs will you hit?, Leivy Jr. asks Deivy.

“My dad lived with my brother, so he would pick me up and take us both to practice. My brother and I ate together, we would go together everywhere. We did everything together,” Deivy says.

“It was very hard on him when his brother left. I thought he was even going to quit baseball. I was so sad,” says Francisco Carvajal, Deivy’s maternal grandftather.

“I felt my whole world was falling apart. When my brother got to the U.S. I couldn’t talk to him for the first three months. When I tried talking to him I would just start crying and words wouldn’t come out,” says Deivy.

“We sat down with him as a family and talked to him. Our neighbors supported him too. Eventually I think he realized he had to keep going and try to succeed in baseball,” says Deivy’s mother Dalianny Carvajal.

Deivy isn’t the only player with family in the U.S.

“My father is in the U.S., as well as my two nephews and my aunt,” says Santa Clara player Brett Carvajal.

“My father [is in the U.S.],” says Darián Rodríguez, another kid on the team.

“My father and some of my uncles,” says Brayan Pérez, a Santa Clara player.

“My father left when I was around 4-5 years old,” says Leonardo Junco, another of Deivy’s teammates.

“Tomorrow will be seven years since I last saw my father,” says Brett.

“It’s been around a year,” says Junco.

“Having my father away has been very hard,” says Darián.

“My dad and my aunt will go see me,” says Brett.

“My dad is going to Pennsylvania to see me,” says Junco.

“My father can’t go. But he told me I’ll do great and that he will be supporting me,” says Brayan.

“It’s very emotional because I’ll get to see my dad after a long time,” says Darián.

“I knew we had to win here so I could see my dad,” says Junco.

“We’re going to go see you. Your brother and I are going,” Deivy’s father tells him through a video call.

“Of course. I can’t wait to see you both,” Deivy responds.

“Your brother is taking his uniform to see if they let him train with you,” says Leivy Sr.

“I’m counting the days,” Deivy says.

“When you pitch, I’ll be supporting you,” Leivy Jr. tells his brother.

“Ok, champ. Keep it up,” says Leivy.

“Ok. I love you,” says Deivy.

“A kiss. I love you,” Leivy tells his son.

“Me too,” Deivy responds.

“I don’t even know what will happen when they finally see each other,” says Deivy’s grandfather.

“I really wanted to win because it meant I’d get to spend a beautiful vacation in the U.S., a vacation I will never forget, especially because I’ll get to see my brother,” says Deivy.