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MLB's Future in Venezuela Uncertain

Posted Nov 22, 07 6:43 AM CST in World,  Sports 

(Newser) – Baseball is big in Venezuela, and vice versa: 200 Venezuelans have played in MLB, including 50 who are currently active. You’d expect clubs to be racing to the country in search of talent, but concerns about Venezuela’s political climate are actually scaring them away: The Padres, Orioles, Red Sox, and Indians have all discontinued formerly active player development operations there in recent years, ESPN reports.

President Hugo Chavez’ nationalization of some industries gave MLB pause, but proposed legislation demanding government oversight and a percentage of players’ signing bonuses could be the deal killer, and MLB has told the government as much, before talks between the parties ended in March. While some in Venezuela fear an MLB shutout, others are hopeful a relationship over baseball could smooth political ties with the US.

Source ESPN

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In this image released by Venezuela's Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez runs on the field before an ALBA Games baseball game between Venezuela and Cuba at a military base in Caracas,...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar listens to a reporter's question during a news conference prior to Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball playoffs against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series playoff baseball game Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 at Fenway...   (Associated Press)
Alejandro "Alex" Carrasquel is pictured. Carrasquel became the first Venezuelan to play major league baseball when he made his debut with the Washington Senators in 1939.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gestures while meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, unseen, Tuesday, Nov. 20 2007, at the Sao Bento palace, the premier's official residence, in Lisbon....   (Associated Press)
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MLB • baseball • Venezuela • Hugo Chávez • socialism


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