MILWAUKEE — Carlos Gonzalez was saddened, but hardly shocked by the news. On Nov. 9, Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped in Venezuela by four armed gunmen. Ramos was returned safely 51 hours after the abduction, bringing relief as well as raising concern.
When Ramos raced into his family’s arms last week, Gonzalez offered well-wishes via Twitter. Gonzalez has twice been robbed at gunpoint. Three years ago, the Rockies’ outfielder hired a bodyguard.
“Carlos never goes out without him. It is like Carlos’ shadow,” said Fabiola Bohorquez, Gonzalez’s publicist. “He goes everywhere with him.”
Ramos’ abduction again created fears about major-league baseball’s involvement in Venezuela and how to keep its players safe. The Rockies began last spring with eight Venezuelans on their 40-man roster, and American Eric Young Jr. is among those currently playing winter ball there.
“It is a real concern,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.
Major-league baseball teams can’t make Venezuela safer, but they can help provide security and offer advice to players on how to stay safe, including mapping out destinations when traveling and keeping a lower profile. In extreme instances, teams have limited their business in Venezuela, including the Astros and Cardinals. Young, while shaken by the incident, remains in Margarita playing for former Rockies manager Don Baylor.
“The kidnapping issue is frightening. Of course, you get a little scared,” he said this past week. “I got calls from relatives and friends asking me to get back to the States. But I came here to do a lot of work. I’m lucky to be based in Margarita, which is a very safe place, a nice and friendly island.
“Of course, you want to feel safe wherever you go, when I’m playing somewhere else. You’ve got to always be alert. I’m glad Wilson was rescued safe and sound. And I’m staying here for as much as I need to.”
Moving family to States
After signing a seven-year, $80 million contract extension a year ago, Gonzalez remained hopeful of moving his family to the United States. That was a driving force behind his decision to sign a long-term deal. While his family visited more often last season, relocating them is a work in progress. They are proud people who have lives in their home country and feel comfortable there. Gonzalez bought several homes in a gated area in Maracaibo, where the family spends time together privately.
In the wake of Ramos’ kidnapping, agent Paul Kinzer worried about Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, who was visiting his parents in Maracaibo when the catcher was kidnapped.
“The best scenario is that maybe once he gets a (multiyear) contract, he can afford to bring his family to the States,” said Kinzer, who represents several Venezuelan players. “As long as Jhoulys has family there, he’s going back. That’s the way it goes with all the players. It’s getting to the point where he needs a bodyguard.”
Venezuela has long been a leading exporter of major-league players, second only to the Dominican Republic, and the Rockies are among the teams most involved in finding talent there. Gonzalez is one of the country’s most recognizable stars. By design, he stays out of the public eye in his homeland. He works out with a winter league team early in the morning but does not participate in games.
The Astros started the first baseball academy in Venezuela in 1989, signing future standouts such as Johan Santana, Bobby Abreu, Freddy Garcia and Melvin Mora. They ceased operations two years ago over concerns about the political unrest.
About that same time, the world champion Cardinals began curtailing their business in the country and no longer participate in the Venezuelan summer league.
“It’s a safety issue,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said.
Teams leaving Venezuela
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, who was MLB’s point man in the Dominican Republic for several years, predicted the ongoing unrest will have a negative impact on baseball’s involvement.
“Ultimately, those kinds of conditions will hurt the country. You will find clubs that will venture down there less often. So amateur players may not get the same looks,” Alderson said. “It can also affect the willingness of Venezuelan players to go back and play. It’s not a good situation.”
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said he didn’t think clubs would stop sending prospects back to Venezuela, leaving the decision up to the players. San Diego GM Josh Byrnes said native Venezuelan players are often the best judge of the situation. It’s why some, such as Arizona catcher Miguel Montero, forgo winter ball and don’t even return home. Others, like Ramos, are drawn to participate, because it’s the only chance their families get to see them play. Ramos plans to suit up Tuesday night for the Aragua Tigres.
“I have no second thoughts about it. He plays in his country for his country because he’s very prideful and loves where he lives,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters Friday. “We have put into place things we believe will keep him safe and sound and happy and healthy there.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
