OT: Nationals catcher Ramos kidnapped

[mikero]

According to the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, four gunmen approached Ramos near his home in Santa Ines and took him away. Family members have informed police but have not yet heard from the kidnappers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Reports-Nationals-catcher-Wilson-Ramos-kidnappe?urn=mlb-wp26655

Kidnapping and baseball have crossed paths before in Venezeula. Two years ago, Yorvit Torrealba and his family paid a ransom for the return of his son. Also that year, Victor Zambrano's mother was rescued by a raid following her kidnapping, while in the biggest tragedy, the brother of Henry Blanco was kidnapped in December of 2008, with his body found the next day. He had been shot 15 times.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15505

Very scary stuff. Hope Ramos is okay.

[Lucky26]

This happens a lot with international athletes from South America. They usuall have to be in a gated community with personal security.

[dagger]

Still no contact with the kidnappers this morning.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nat ... _blog.html

[torontoaces04]

Unreal. Just makes me that much more thankful that I live in a country like Canada.

[DonYon]

Unreal. Just makes me that much more thankful that I live in a country like Canada.

ehmen to that.

Odd they would kidnap a grown man for ransom, but it's apparently a common thing? I hope he'll be safe.

[Homer Jay]

A co-worker of mine's wife is from Venezuela and her mother, who was fairly well off there, she was kidnapped and when the ransom wasn't paid she was killed. It is an extremely common thing there apparently.

[dagger]

Venezuelan police say they know he's still alive, so there must have been contact of some sort overnight.

[mini]

My wife is from Colombia, I lived there for a year recently. While it is 'common' it isn't as if the average person walking down the street will be kidnapped. I never felt in any sort of physical danger while there (petty crime yes, kidnapping no). Now, if you are a soldier/cop/politician/famous millionaire, the likelihood of something happening increases.

Back in the early 90's it was worse (at least in Colombia). My father-in-law was kidnapped and he was 'just' and air-traffic controller.

Personal security as well as property security is much more important there. All houses/buildings have gates, bars on windows, guards, etc. It is really sad that people have to live that way. It definitely did make me appreciate the general feeling of security that you take for granted here.

[kavan]

That is sad I feel for his family hope it all sorts it self out! I would think with the money you make in the MLB even if its a few millions you could keep your self safe back home.

[Kapono]

Hope is okay..

Nestor Molina and Alverez are from the same city.

[g_greg]

Ramos has been rescued unharmed- http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ag5AvnqX8x1MJgXne9vb1q45nYcB?slug=ap-venezuela-ramos-abducted

Glad that this is all over. Scary stuff.

[LittleOzzy]

I'm guessing he'll be spending his off seasons in the States now.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Don't be so sure, unless it's written in his contract. It's a way of life for these players, and they can't help but go back home no matter the circumstance.