Latin baseball stars face new fears

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1889886

For those outside the know, Venezuelan-born Johan Santana might be one of the two or three best pitchers in baseball. He plays for the Minnesota Twins, where he's recently led the team to a playoff spot while compiling 20 wins and leading his league in strikeouts. Just as the fans in the Twin Cities love him for everything he's done this year, he loves and looks after his family back home, in a country riddled with violence and growing concerns that his stardom may eventually affect them. He will make $1.6 million this season, which may be an attractive number for some corrupt individual looking for a quick dollar.

Three weeks ago, Detroit Tigers pitcher and fellow Venezuelan Ugueth Urbina left the team to return home after unidentified suspects kidnapped his mother and held her ransom for $15 million. In 2003, he helped lead the Florida Marlins to a World Series title, no doubt raising his profile in Latin America. He's made just under $25 million in his 10-year career, and while authorities have urged him not to set a precedent by giving into demands, Urbina has continually said that he simply wants his mother freed, money be damned.

Kidnappings aren't uncommon in Venezuela, a nation suffering from a depressed economy and where 80% of the people live in poverty. The only reason these concerns have been raised so dramatically is because of who is involved. Violence, in general, is a huge problem which has also affected Major Leaguers like Richard Hidalgo (he was shot in the arm in 2002) and Melvin Mora (his brother was a contract murder victim). It has also affected the willingness of players to travel to Venezuela to participate in their renowned winter league.

Back to the case of Johan Santana, his family has steadfastly stayed put, but have admitted that they will more to a more secure town -- or perhaps to the United States -- should Santana believe that is the best thing for them. And can you blame him? This is a bitter reality that no other group of people in sports has to face. No one's family should have to suffer as a result of their fame and fortune.

It might not mean much to many people here, but I thought it was something to discuss.

Well, Venezuela was never too secure. Actually, in Caracas at night, cars don't stop in some places and keep windows shut. It has been like that from long ago, and it's going to take a lot to change, it seems.

Of course, then again, in a country where the cops and the mafia are not easy to distinguish...

thats the saddest thing ive ever heard....to hear that to get money, they kidnap the mother of a famous baseball player and demand his money. That sucks. I feel like i don't know, hes right for trying to get his mother back, and when he does he needs to get his family the hell outta there. I just hope that no more of these cases appear. Baseball is like the greatest sport ever.....ever.