Open Thread: Wilson Ramos Kidnapped
by baseballgirl on Nov 10, 2011 2:04 PM PST
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PrintUPDATE, 8:37PST: Wilson Ramos has been rescued, is reportedly alive and well. A great ending to a horrific story. -Nico
Obviously sports are taking over the top news feeds right now with the horrifying revelations from Penn State, and the subsequent firing of legendary coach, Joe Paterno. That story alone has filled up the comments in many a blog post across all networks.
But shocking news has broken out of Venezuela, as it appears that the Washington Nationals catcher, Wilson Ramos, has been kidnapped.
Ramos plays for the Nationals during the season, and the Winter League of his home country in the off-season. According to the accounts, he was kidnapped yesterday by four armed gunmen. According to CNN.com, the FBI has yet to get involved because Ramos is not a United States citizen, and the crime did not happen in the US. They have to be invited in, and it appears that the Venezuelan authorities are handling the case.
The same article reminds us that Yorvit Torrealba's family was once kidnapped; Victor Zambrano and Ugueth Urbina's mothers were kidnapped, as well as Henry Blanco's brother. This is the first time a Major League player has been kidnapped himself.
From MLB.com:
In a joint statement issued on Thursday afternoon with Major League Baseball, the Nationals said, "Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family, and our thoughts are with them at this time. Major League Baseball's department of investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment."
I honestly don't know what to say about this situation (and I'm afraid I have too much to say about the Penn State one). Obviously, we wish for the safe return of Wilson Ramos.
Feel free to discuss below.
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There is not a lot to say about Ramos.
It happens. there is a low risk of harm. The people want money.
Kidnapping is much more common in places that don’t have the developed legal system that the US has. If you travel in the developing world, the first thing you notice is the heavily armed private security people in front of banks, restaurants, hotels, clothing shops, convenience stores and everywhere else that has money on site.
This is also why so many international free agent children are so heavily armed when they go back to their home town. They are target.
Being kidnapped sucks for Ramos and his family, I hope he returns safely soon. I don’t mean to be caviler about it, but it is a reality in places like Venezuela. It happens more often to Western oil people than ballplayers though.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
But if they really wanted money, wouldn't we see a ransom demand?
I would have expected it within the hour, and it’s been a full day.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Nov 10, 2011 3:05 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe they are waiting to see who signs Dommit at the winter meetings?
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
not necessarily. kidnappings like these can be long. the kidnappers are probably laying low until they feel like they won’t get caught. the police has already recovered the vehicle used to kidnap him—a recently stolen chevy (this is uncomfortably weird:) captiva—and feel like they are hot on the trail. in one article in the venezuelan press the headline said they had identified 2 of the kidnappers, though the body of the article didn’t elaborate nor even it mention again. in another article, it was suggested that they come from a different part of the country (so maybe they need the time to travel back). anyway, it’s not in the interest of the kidnappers to necessarily harm the person. hopefully this won’t take long and he’ll come out able to continue playing baseball.
by AV on Nov 10, 2011 3:47 PM PST up reply actions
i mean, yes there would be a ransom demand. not necessarily within the first hour/day.
by AV on Nov 10, 2011 3:50 PM PST up reply actions
So we can't plan on Suzuki being dealt for Bryce Harper then?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Maybe two of his fingers.
In the mail.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
If we can sew him back together and it's cheaper than a plane flight
do it
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Psychological impact
I read a while back that there’s often a psychological benefit that kidnappers exploit by waiting a few days to ask for a ransom. People relieved person is alive and willing to pay more… something like that.
South American Athletes
I’m an avid MMA follower and have watched reports of this happening to Brazilian fighters. It’s scary and you can never be sure but usually the motivation is financial gain.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
And not just that the kidnappers needed a catcher?
That makes sense.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I assume what kidnappers need is a Closer
Can we trade Bailey and a player to be named later for him….?
It's probably obvious
I’m just saying it is usually a different motivation then kidnappings in a city like Fallujah.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
It wasn't too long ago
that light heavy weight MMA fighter Vitor Belfort’s sister was kidnapped from his native Brazil. Unfortunately in that case she was murdered before they could recover her. I wouldn’t say the risk of harm is low. Never the less, I’ll be praying that he gets rescued soon.
I remember HP
That was absolutely terrible. I didn’t want to make light of the situation at all, it has to be terrifying. As you can tell from the responses this is a new reality to many on this board so I was just shedding the very little perceptive I have.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
WELP
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Also if Papelbon is getting 5/60
NOW IS THE TIME TO TRADE ANDREW BAILEY BECAUSE HIS VALUE IS ASTRONOMICAL
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Boston can go sign someone.
Bailey will have value to a team that isn’t able to drop 10M on a closer.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Seriously.
A market where relievers are getting $50+ million is a ridiculous market. Since it’s only been the Phillies throwing around these kind of numbers, I would move on trading him now, while there’s still uncertainty around how much other relievers are going to make. If the A’s wait on trading Bailey and no other team is willing to pay stupid money for relievers (meaning the value of the contracts they sign drop), his value will drop in kind.
Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!
yeah, you have to think this news has to excite Beane.
If the Rangers want to convert Feliz to starter, they may be in the market for Bailey.
by Billy Frijoles on Nov 11, 2011 2:05 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, Trade Bailey
I think his better days are behind him. Cutter was missing last season. It was there but not cutting.
Fantastic news.
Thanks for the link.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Absolutely FANTASTIC to hear that he's alive and well.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
Kidnapped?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I was going to say that earlier, but thought some might want the stats to back it up. :)
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."
I have stats, but I can't say who gave them to me or what they are.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
That's good enough for me.:)
"Trying not to rec a "F**k the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."
Seems like Kidnapping has been a growing occupation in Latin American countries. Wilson Ramos was recently kidnapped from his home in Venezuela. Ramos is a promising catcher for the Washington Nationals baseball team. Kidnappings are really a widespread problem throughout Latin America, where thousands are kidnapped yearly. Article resource: Latin American epidemic highlighted by Wilson Ramos kidnapping
by summer2526@live.com on Nov 18, 2011 2:09 AM PST reply actions
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