Wilson Ramos Reportedly Kidnapped

by Andrew_G on Nov 10, 2011 9:00 AM EST in News & Rumors

I saw this over on NBC's HardballTalk blog last night, and it was in this morning's Bird Droppings, but I want everyone to make sure they see it. From the twitter feed of bilingual reporter Rafael Rojas:

#Nationals C Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped at his home in Maracay, Venezuela. Situation developing.

Ramos is the Nats' young and well thought of catcher, acquired from Minnesota for reliever Matt Capps. The Twins signed him as an international free agent out of Venezuela. That makes him basically exactly the kind of player the Orioles have struggled to develop out of Venezuela and elsewhere internationally. Former de facto GM Andy MacPhail received a lot of specific criticisms for being unable or unwilling to be aggressive in these markets, while that aggressiveness was one of the big talking points in Dan Duquette's introduction earlier this week.

Ramos was reportedly kidnapped by multiple gunmen from his home and is likely to be held for ransom money. He was playing winter ball for the Tigres de Aragua BBC. It's shocking news, but not that shocking because Venezuela is a dangerous, dangerous place. There's a large tendency from a lot of fans to demand of their front office to "just go into international markets and buy some good players", but the danger and deception that run rampant in those attempts is rarely brought up.

Unfortunately it's taken a tragic event to bring that reality back up. Keep your thoughts with him and his family.

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Prayers for him and his family, hope the news is false but if not, pray for their safety.

by dsciswe on Nov 10, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions

Praying for a safe return

Although, I’ve been reading about it and a lot of these kidnappings just involve driving the victim around in a car until the kidnappers get their ransom. Boldly hoping that’s the case here.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not Jewish.

by DCO'sfan on Nov 10, 2011 10:12 AM EST reply actions

apparently they have not yet contacted the family about a ransom

and the van used in the kidnapping was discovered about an hour away from Ramos’ house.

Guys, this story is really too scary.

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by Andrew_G on Nov 10, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

You could always sign them and then forbid them from going home in the offseason...

I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8

by O'sFan21 on Nov 10, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

A few years ago there was a reliever's mother who was kidnapped

I can’t remember which guy it was, but yeah… This is not unheard of for Venezuela.

by Holymittens on Nov 10, 2011 11:32 AM EST reply actions

It happened to Melmo's family didn't it?

Ugueth Urbina also comes to mind. They do this a lot. The whole continent is pretty lawless it seems.

Hoping for the best…

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by Astronaut Mike Dexter on Nov 10, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

When Melmo was a kid his dad was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity. A year or two ago Yorvit Torrealba’s son was kidnapped along with some adult relatives. They escaped and made it home safely.

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by Brotz13 on Nov 10, 2011 11:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Urbina tried to kill a dude and got 14 years

I don’t see anything about kidnapping related to Melmo.

Henry Blanco face this in 2008. Article/editorial about athletes and kidnappings in Latin America.

"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King

by duck on Nov 10, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Oh that crazy Urbina

he was just joking around hacking at that dude with a machete and then trying to light him on fire!

I am eating you, motherfucker. You cannot hurt me. - PhilR8

by O'sFan21 on Nov 10, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Victor Zambrano's mom

by Stacey on Nov 10, 2011 2:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

absolutely

they went into his home. he wasn’t mugged in some back alley. they grabbed him in front of his family. if they’re that crazy, i’m surprised they didn’t grab a family member as additional leverage.

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by birdman on Nov 10, 2011 12:53 PM EST reply actions

Venezuela

It is certainly easy to see the success of a guy like Felix and wonder why the Orioles are not more aggressive there. Of course, the reality of being there is pretty dangerous and hopefully Ramos will be returned unharmed.

Given MacPhail’s reluctance to sign kids from there, the strange part is the Orioles have signed a few kids from Venezuela and some have done pretty well.

It is also worth noting that the Rays shut down a facility there a few years ago.

Regardless, great piece Andrew.

If you look at those UZR ratings or whatever

by dfa on Nov 10, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions

It is so sad to hear about all the kidnapping incidents from Latin American countries and nobody being able to do anything. Wilson Ramos was the one recently kidnapped from his house in Venezuela. Ramos is a good catcher for the Washington Nationals baseball team. Thousands are taken every year throughout Latin America, though Wilson Ramos is more recognition worthy because he is an expert athlete. Article resource: Latin American epidemic highlighted by Wilson Ramos kidnapping

by summer2526@live.com on Nov 18, 2011 5:16 AM EST reply actions