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12/23/2002 Archived Entry: "Stars from Venezuela Will Have to Wait"
Stars from Venezuela Will Have to Wait by Craig Tomarkin
Jorge Rueda, reported from Caracas Venezuela that, "The three-week general strike against President Hugo Chavez has disrupted Venezuelans’ cherished winter baseball season." He added, "Unless the political crisis is resolved soon, there is little chance the season will resume. The first round of the playoffs was scheduled to start Jan. 2. Officials say they could extend the season to mid-January or stage fewer playoff games with fewer eligible teams, but only if conditions improve."
Among others, pitcher Francisco Rodriguez ("K-Rod" from the Angels) was supposed to play.
Here are the details:Jorge's article
Why should we care in America? It means that stars from the their winter league will have to wait another year to prove themselves to MLB scouts.
In case you're not sure that it matters, here is an alphabetical list of star players who have come to the MLB from Venezuela in the past:
Alfonso, Edgardo
Alvarez, Wilson
Aparicio, Luis
Armas, Tony
Carrasquel, Chico
Concepcion, Dave
Davalillo, Vic
Diaz, Bo
Galarraga, Andres
Garcia, Carlos
Garcia, Freddy
Gonzalez, Alex
Guillen, Ozzie
Ordonez, Magglio
Trillo, Manny
Urbina, Ugueth
Vizquel, Omar
For a discussion about the possibilities of MLB foreign expansion and a list of star MLB players from other countries see Craig Tomarkin's article: MLB Foreign Expansion
