Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu has won the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Award, and not only did Abreu win Rookie of the Year, but he had one of the greatest seasons by a rookie of all time, and his journey into Major League Baseball was even more impressive.

The White Sox finished 73-89, and missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Yet despite not winning a playoff series for a ninth year in a row, White Sox fans can rest easy knowing they have one of the best young players in the game.

Abreu unanimously won the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Abreu, who was born in Cuba, made a big name for himself on the small Caribbean island. Knowing his talents were being underutilized, Abreu made the daring risk to venture East to the Dominican Republic. Abreu recently said that he decided to defect from Cuba after the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

During his gambling adventure to the Dominican Republic, Abreu explains how he was nearly capsized by huge ocean liners, ships and 15-foot waves. Multiple times Abreu thought he was going to drown for sure. Fortunately, the young Cuban made it to the Dominican Republic safely. His mystic journey into the United States remains mostly unanswered.

For some people, this would seem crazy and potentially suicidal. But for some young Cubans who have hopes and dreams of playing on baseball's biggest stage, it is well worth the risk. Choosing to defect to the Dominican Republic instead of the United States proved to wise for Abreu for numerous reasons. The Dominican Republic produces some of the best baseball players in the world, and major league teams have scouts there constantly. The other (obvious) factor to consider is that Cuba-United States relations aren't exactly very friendly and the personal security risk to a defector could be fatal if one returned home.

Abreu's courageous adventure proved to be worth the risk financially. The White Sox signed Abreu to a $68 million contract. Other notable Cuban defectors include Alexei Ramírez, Yoenis Céspedes, Yasiel Puig and Orlando Hernández. Liván Hernández (Orlando's brother) also had an unbelievable escape through Mexico.

The White Sox also produced the first ever Latino-born World Series manager, Ozzie Guillen in 2005.

There's no denying that Abreu deserved to win this year's Rookie of the Year Award.

Abreu hit 36 home runs, had 107 runs batted in and had 176 hits this season. Abreu also scored 80 runs and had an impressive .581 slugging percentage. Despite being known as a "slugger," Abreu tormented opposing pitchers with a .317 batting average. Abreu led all MLB rookies (AL and NL) in home runs, hits, slugging percentage, runs batted in and runs scored this season. Abreu's 2014 season is one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time. Frank Robinson holds the record for most home runs in his rookie season in the league with 38, just two more than Abreu finished with this year. Mark McGwire did not hit 49 home runs until his second season.

This is the fourth time we've seen a Cuban-born player win the Rookie of the Year Award. The first instance came in 1964 when Tony Oliva won it for the Minnesota Twins. One of the most notable Cuban players, Jose Canseco, won the award in 1986 for the Oakland Athletics. Just last year, José Fernández of the Miami Marlins won the Rookie of the Year Award. Fernández, like Abreu, had to defect Cuba, as well.

More and more, Major League Baseball is growing internationally, especially in Latin American nations and communities. The talent in those areas just can't be overlooked, and the benefits of playing on the biggest stage appear to be worth the risk for many Cuban baseball players. Unfortunately, there are a lot of other very young talented players in Cuba who won't get to show off their talents like Abreu has.

Abreu is a perfect example of how determination always wins in the end.

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