By George King . The New York Post, April 24, 2000
TORONTO - Yankee ace Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez - who fled Cuba by sea two years ago - yesterday called the U.S. government's abrupt return of Elian Gonzalez to his dad "real abusive."
"I never thought something like that could happen in this country," said El Duque, who had never spoken out before on any Cuban issue since arriving in America in 1998.
The star hurler also had been mum on Saturday, after U.S. federal agents stormed the home of the Miami relatives who had refused to hand over Elian to his father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez.
But yesterday, after a game in which he pitched and defeated the Blue Jays 10-7, El Duque let loose.
"It was real abusive," he charged of the raid.
El Duque conceded that "I don't understand everything - but the words of [Attorney General] Janet Reno and [President Bill] Clinton weren't the most convincing. I respect everyone, and I respect what they said, but I don't think it was very convincing."
The right-hander, who has two daughters, said he was disturbed watching TV reports of the operation to take Elian from the home of his great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez, whose family has been caring for the youngster since he was plucked from the ocean on Thanksgiving day.
Elian's mom and others drowned in a boat that sank en route from Cuba to the United States.
"It's been a long time, and I feel very sad what's happened to Elian," El Duque said. "When I woke up [Saturday morning] and I saw the news, I felt like they were taking the freedom from my kids. I feel very sad. I hope Elian's father understands what he can give to his son."
Hernandez said he hoped whatever happens now to Elian happens for the right reasons.
"The happiness of the kid comes above everything else," said El Duque. "The happiness of the child comes before politics, countries and everything else."
Asked if he was encouraging Elian's father to let the child stay in the United States, El Duque said:
"My words speak for themselves."
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