Nationals Catcher Wilson Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

[DeToxRox]

afaelrojasc Rafael Rojas C

#Nationals C Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped at his home in Maracay, Venezuela. Situation developing.


Confirmed by his Winter Ball Team too. Crazy.

[DeToxRox]

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped, the Denver Post's bilingual website, VivaColorado.com, reports, with other media sources corroborating the news.

No other information is available at this time.

Ramos hails from Venezuela, where there is a significant problem with kidnapping. Generally, these crimes are for money and Ramos was a logical target, given that his success in the majors earned him the right to a league-minimum contract, which was $414,500 in 2011. That's a lot of money to most people, especially in Venezuela.

The 24-year-old just completed his rookie season with Washington, hitting .267/.334/.445 in 435 plate appearances, slugging 15 homers. The righty supplanted Ivan Rodriguez as the starting catcher early on and is expected to start at catcher next season.


Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos kidnapped - CBSSports.com (www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/33210483)

[GrantDawg]

That's scary.

[BishopMVP]

I know it's not the time or the place, but on the one Red Sox prospect board I check in on there was a multi-multi-page flamewar (10x worse than any debate on Lackey, Crawford, or the training staff) over whether American prospects should travel to the VWL. I haven't checked back in yet, but I can only hope the anti- side took advantage of this as the greatest mic-drop moment to end an argument ever.

(And obviously I hope for the safe return of Ramos, etc.)

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I would like nothing more than Ramos's safe return.

Having said that, Ramos has not made a ton of money as a ballplayer yet. How much would they be looking for? Who would be in a position to pay for such a thing? The Nats? MLB? His agents? How would this even work, assuming they are looking for more than say $100k?

[jbergey22]

I would like nothing more than Ramos's safe return.

Having said that, Ramos has not made a ton of money as a ballplayer yet. How much would they be looking for? Who would be in a position to pay for such a thing? The Nats? MLB? His agents? How would this even work, assuming they are looking for more than say $100k?

He makes league min. This really sucks.

[jbergey22]

I haven't seen anything specific, but the Nats boards are mentioning something about MLB having some funds set aside for this as kidnapping players' family members is fairly common in Venezuela.

Ramos only made the league minimum last year and a bit the year before. That and some minor league money is it.

This would be a tricky situation for MLB. I know they would want to protect the kid but they really cant give in to terrorist acts like this. It would only make it worse IMO. These fuckers win if you give in to them.

[Toddzilla]

He makes league min. This really sucks.
League minimum has got to be a life's fortune in Venezuela.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

League minimum has got to be a life's fortune in Venezuela.

While this is certainly true, I have to suspect that the kidnappers are looking for more than Ramos himself would be able to secure.

[GrantDawg]

This would be a tricky situation for MLB. I know they would want to protect the kid but they really cant give in to terrorist acts like this. It would only make it worse IMO. These fuckers win if you give in to them.


True, but in situations like this you may have to give in. His life is worth more than standing on principal. Like others have said, generally if you pay kidnappers in this area do release people. If you don't, he's going to be found in pieces.

[jbergey22]

True, but in situations like this you may have to give in. His life is worth more than standing on principal. Like others have said, generally if you pay kidnappers in this area do release people. If you don't, he's going to be found in pieces.

Very true.

I just meant that by giving in, the problem will likely only get worse, meaning more kidnaps, and more ransom requests.

Wonder if MLB gets involved, if that gives our FBI freedom to take care of business.

[GrantDawg]

The scary thing right now is the abductors still haven't contact anyone for ransom demands. The kid is in some serious danger. I hope he hasn't already been hurt, and they are waiting till he heals a bit to make demands.

[jbergey22]

The abandoned vehicle from the kidnapping was found. No other news on this.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Still alive.

https://twitter.com/#!/masnBen/status/134678536802930688

[jbergey22]

Still alive.

Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/masnBen/status/134678536802930688)

Just sitting here thinking of what a fucked up world we live in.

In one thread we have an asshole raping children and in this one we have a ransom kidnapping. These are only being reported because they are sports people. To think of how much of this BS goes on each day is disturbing.

Thanks for the link. Starting to worry for him.

[EagleFan]

Pretty F'd up.

[Chief Rum]

Still alive.

https://twitter.com/#!/masnBen/status/134678536802930688

I can't see Twitter past my work filters. What does it say?

[jbergey22]

I can't see Twitter past my work filters. What does it say?


Venezuelan authorities confirm Wilson Ramos is still alive.

[Chief Rum]

Venezuelan authorities confirm Wilson Ramos is still alive.

Good, at least there is that.

[CrimsonFox]

whew! That's some messed up shit!

[EagleFan]

Venezuelan authorities confirm Wilson Ramos is still alive.

How? If that means they know where he is then freaking go get him.

[jbergey22]

How? If that means they know where he is then freaking go get him.

Not sure. Just repeating the tweet from Ronnies post.

They probably let him call someone to let them know he was ok.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How? If that means they know where he is then freaking go get him.

I would imagine it was some variation on the whole "picture of him with today's newspaper" thing.

[stevew]

Granted, if the cover has Chavez in a sweat suit, it could be any number of days.

[stevew]

I figure he should be returned alive and well, these things usually work themselves out.

[CrimsonFox]

How? If that means they know where he is then freaking go get him.

This makes me :lol:

[Lathum]

This is gonna kill the tourism industry in Venezulea

[jbergey22]

Venezuela Hunts for Ramos and His Kidnappers - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/venezuela-vows-hunt-nationals-ramos-14929457)

[jbergey22]

Wilson Ramos abduction in Venezuela: Police gathering evidence, still no contact from kidnappers, 36 hours in - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/wilson-ramos-abduction-in-venezuela-still-no-contact-from-kidnappers-36-hours-in/2011/11/11/gIQAOHUqBN_blog.html)

[CrimsonFox]

They're doing it wrong.

[stevew]

I prefer the option where they pay the kidnappers. Police manhunt seems like it is going to end in a tragedy.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Just notified they got Wilson ramos safely. Crowd erupts in #maracay

http://twitter.com/#!/ScottyD30/status/135185532601892864

edit:

It is official: Per @rafaelrojasc Internal affairs minister has called Ramos family & told him they've got him. Wilson Ramos has been freed

http://twitter.com/#!/acomak/status/135186284363776004

[cuervo72]

Great news.

[Lathum]

Wilson Ramos of the Washington Nationals found alive and well after kidnapping - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7222317/wilson-ramos-washington-nationals-found-alive-well-kidnapping)