By Jack Magruder
FOXSportsArizona.com
Here in Diamondbacks camp, Juan Miranda is competing for the open first base job against proven major league home run hitter Russell Branyan, athletic power hitter Brandon Allen, veteran Xavier Nady (who is also a candidate in left field) and, now, one of the early spring bright spots in nonroster invitee Paul Goldschmidt.
Tough, yes.
His toughest time? Not even close.
Miranda spent five days on a small boat with 19 other people when he defected from Cuba in 2004, riding the choppy waters of the Caribbean Sea from his home in northeast Cuba to the safety of the Dominican Republic northern port city of Santiago. Four other ballplayers were among the passengers and there was plenty of food, but it was not an easy ride for a man who does not swim.
