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MLB players begin fleeing Venezuela amid safety concerns

By CM Towle

Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a glove prior to game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angeles at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs and a glove prior to game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angeles at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB players are fleeing Venezuela to make their full-time homes in the United States as the situation is deteriorating.

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The country of Venezuela has deteriorated significantly in recent years, both in the unstable political situation and also in terms of just basic safety. The country had the second highest homicide rate in the world in 2014. Plenty of MLB players are from Venezuela and have returned there in the offseason, but more and more of them are starting to flee from the country, according to a story by Hardball Talk.

There’s plenty of stories to choose from. One told by Mariners’ announcers during a spring training game against the Rangers, told the story of Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus and how he had to pay for bodyguards for his family. The reason was not just for physical safety, but also to prevent kidnappings for ransom. The story even had said bodyguards recently being shot while protecting members of Andrus’ family.

Then there’s the story of Cubs catcher Miguel Montero, who returned to his native Venezuela in the offseason only to leave five days later, according to a story by USA Today. Montero has made his home in Phoenix since 2007, but wanted to return to his home country where most of his family still live. Instead, Montero renewed his passport in Caracas and hurried back to the USA.

Montero plans to request US citizenship this year and said he was afraid to go out in Venezuela. He went to Caracas and back to his home and that was it.

Montero is far from the only one pulling up stakes in Venezuela. Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco moved to Miami and Blanco said he never thought he would do such a thing, but that he had to consider the safety of his two sons. Blanco said the decision was made for him when he visited a suburb of Caracas where he grew up in the offseason. He said that he remembered it being peaceful and tranquil, but now there are shortages of basic necessities and a “feeling of lawlessness permeated the area”.

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was actually kidnapped by armed gunmen three years ago in Venezuela, but has continued to return. However, he said he’s recently had a change of heart and has begun filling out paperwork to remain in the USA.

Besides taking themselves out of the country, many players are also trying to bring their families out of the country, but unfortunately it is easier said than done with plenty of paperwork and legal hurdles.

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