Venezuela mess and the Twins players

[Thrylos]

Not sure whether any one has been following it, but things have been getting pretty messy in Venezuela, and it looks like the country is in the middle of a democracy struggle (like some places in EU were three decades ago) and this affects a lot of Twins' players in Fort Myers (some of who have families there). Here is what they did today in the camp locker room:

 

 

And some of these guys are not Venezuelan as well.

 

Just a side-line to watch this Spring Training that has not been reported much by the mainstream press, so I wanted to alert you all to it...

 

Just wish these guys' families are safe and sound there and this mess resolves peacefully quickly

[cmathewson]

Amen. Also, I don't blame anyone for not wanting to play in the VWL.

[JB_Iowa]

I'd seen some tweets. I'm terrible about paying attention to International news. While I often have a problem with social media, it is good for alerts about news like this. I've been holding them in my heart -- while the players are fortunate to be safe and able to do work they love, there must be a tremendous strain in worrying about family, friends and country.

[Seth Stohs]

I'm glad you posted this. It's another case where we should/can understand the distraction of real life, family, etc.

[jimv2]

Can anyone identify who is who in the pictures?

[Thrylos]

Can anyone identify who is who in the pictures?

 

The one I posted L-R top to bottom:

 

Guerra, Sano, Arcia, Oliveros.

The guy who is holding the "#Paz" sign is Ibarra

Shortest guy who is holding the left side of the flag is Escobar (little guy). Next to him is Danny Santana

22 in front is Ramirez.

Not sure who the guy in front of Arcia is.

[Seth Stohs]

Holding the Pray for Venezuela sign are Oswaldo Arcia and Josmil Pinto.

In front of Arcia is Yohan Pino.

Holding the flag are Eduardo Escobar and Lester Oliveros.

Wilkin Ramirez is kneeling.

Edgar Ibarra is holding the #PAZ sign.

[ashbury]

http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/deportes/beisbol/fotos---criollos-en-grandes-ligas-se-solidarizan-c.aspx

 

Part of an unofficial but league-wide expression of hopes for peace, it seems.

[nicksaviking]

Many Hispanic players make it big yet their families remain in the homeland as I'm sure it would be difficult to leave everything you know. However I wonder if there is an impetus to leave if your home country is in dire straights. If so, you really have to cheer for these guys to make the big leagues which would provide the financial ability to bring family over should they so choose.

[Vzltwins]

I don't know why main stream media will not give this any attention. Citizens are flocking to twitter Facebook and you tube to get it out. I'm shocked the us news gives this no media attention

[Vzltwins]

But we all are hoping for peace over there!

[Old Twins Cap]

And why do you think the US media is ignoring Venezuela? You can bet that there are powerful interests at play, and that the US is on the wrong side of the people of Venezuela. That's pretty much guaranteed, and I have not even been paying attention. That's the way it always goes in Latin America: We side with the corporations and the big money oligarchs. Heck, we are are the big money oligarchs.

[JB_Iowa]

Good column from Berardino about what the Twins players are feeling:

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/02/23/twinsights-4/

[BHtwins]

And why do you think the US media is ignoring Venezuela? You can bet that there are powerful interests at play, and that the US is on the wrong side of the people of Venezuela. That's pretty much guaranteed, and I have not even been paying attention. That's the way it always goes in Latin America: We side with the corporations and the big money oligarchs. Heck, we are are the big money oligarchs.

 

Omg...please can we leave complete garbage like this out of a thread where people are expressing hope for the people of Venezuela.

[Thrylos]

And why do you think the US media is ignoring Venezuela? You can bet that there are powerful interests at play, and that the US is on the wrong side of the people of Venezuela. That's pretty much guaranteed, and I have not even been paying attention. That's the way it always goes in Latin America: We side with the corporations and the big money oligarchs. Heck, we are are the big money oligarchs.

 

I would suggest that you read a little bit about what is going on in Venezuela right now. The current (Socialist - remember Chavez?) government is clashing with the many people who are protesting the current economic situation and rising crime there. Here is a good summary from CNN. So I suspect that the (formal and informal) US policy is against the Socialist Venezuelan government and for the people who are protesting (which is exactly the opposite of your hypothesis.) Thus my comment in the original post up there, that what is happening in Venezuela is akin to what happened in Europe 30 years ago...

[snepp]

Omg...please can we leave complete garbage like this out of a thread where people are expressing hope for the people of Venezuela.

 

While I understand the sentiment, please use the report post function (the little triangle with an exclamation mark) in the future if you feel that a post is out of line.

 

Thanks.

[Squirrel]

Omg...please can we leave complete garbage like this out of a thread where people are expressing hope for the people of Venezuela.

 

I actually think there is room for both discussions in this thread. The whole nature of this issue is political. And it affects some of our players and players on other teams. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, but I don't think I can do only that without wanting to keep track of what's happening and why. Please keep discussions civil, no matter what your views and thoughts are. If all you want to do is express your well wishes and hopes for peaceful resolutions, that's good, please do. If you want a broader discussion, here in this forum is a good place for it. Again, please keep it civil.

[BHtwins]

I actually think there is room for both discussions in this thread. The whole nature of this issue is political. And it affects some of our players and players on other teams. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, but I don't think I can do only that without wanting to keep track of what's happening and why. Please keep discussions civil, no matter what your views and thoughts are. If all you want to do is express your well wishes and hopes for peaceful resolutions, that's good, please do. If you want a broader discussion, here in this forum is a good place for it. Again, please keep it civil.

 

Sure...if anything he said was remotely accurate and not just garbage there would be room for discussion.

 

Actually...nevermind I argue politics all the time....don't need to do it on a baseball board.

[Squirrel]

Sure...if anything he said was remotely accurate and not just garbage there would be room for discussion.

 

Actually...nevermind I argue politics all the time....don't need to do it on a baseball board.

 

Having a civil discussion does not mean qualifying a divergent pov as garbage. Ignore the post if you don't agree with it and don't care to discuss it. Or report it if you feel it stepped over the boundaries of respect.