Assaulted at gunpoint to player Juan Francisco

Third baseman Juan Francisco was assaulted at gunpoint early Wednesday, said the general manager Fernando Ravelo Licey Tigers. He said the robbers intercepted Francisco when he stopped to eat in Villa Altagracia, about 60 miles north of the capital, and stole a watch, chain and money. "John lives in an apartment here in the capital, but last night after the game would go to visit her parents who live in Bonao and was assaulted at gunpoint, but was not injured, "Ravelo said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Francis, 24, played 31 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season in the majors. He batted .258 with three homers and 15 RBIs. In the Dominican ball, where he won two MVP awards, played his first season with the Licey, after arriving in a trade from the Giants of the Cibao. 's case Francisco is the latest violence against Caribbean baseball players in the offseason baseball in the majors. Last week, the recipient of the Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos, was kidnapped in Venezuela and rescued unharmed after 51 hours of captivity. Violence is one of the problems of greatest concern to the Dominican population, according to the latest Gallup Poll.

Rescue of his kidnapped Wilson Ramos

Venezuelan authorities rescued alive at major league baseball in the United States Wilson Ramos, who was kidnapped last Wednesday and found after a police operation in a remote area of ​​Carabobo state, in central-west.

Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami, said in a statement to state television VTV that the operation had been arrested three people, one Colombian and allegedly linked to paramilitary groups. "Until now we have three detainees do not know their identities but we hope to know," he said. The Aissami said he had talked with the player and that he was in good health.

The player, 24, was kidnapped on Wednesday in his mother's house in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state capital, when he was assaulted by armed men and forced to move into a van, authorities said. "We anticipate that one of the people involved in this, is a Colombian national, and is linked to paramilitary groups and kidnappings. However, this information we will confirm when we have the identity of the detainees," he said.

He stressed that the intelligence work that led to the whereabouts and subsequent release of Ramos were based on the Colombian citizen who is required by its connection with the kidnapping. He indicated that since the investigations began successfully detected several criminal organizations involved in kidnapping.

The news of the release of the receptor and the Washington Nationals in Venezuela Aragua Tigers was carried out by the communications minister, Andres Izarra, in his account of the social network Twitter. "Baseball Ramos found alive by security bodies Montalban mountain area, Edo CBOB" he said.

Subsequently, the Minister El Aissami Ramos confirmed the release of the Clear Water sector in the state central Venezuela, explaining that he had been notified by "text" of successful operation in the area since no communication. "We have no details of the operation was performed, but we mean that in the morning President Hugo Chavez commander authorized an air rescue operation with support from the National Guard (military police)," said the minister. "We're evacuating all the security measures for this type of operation our officers, Wilson, to bring him safely to the city of Valencia," he added.

Wilson Ramos Kidnapped, player of the Washington Nationals

The Venezuelan baseball player Wilson Ramos, of the Washington Nationals was kidnapped by four gunmen in the city of Valencia (north of the country) when he was at his mother.

The Institutional Relations Manager Aragua Tigers, the team playing in Venezuela, Katherine Vilera confirmed via his Twitter account that Ramos was at his progenitoria when the events unfolded.

"True, Wilson Ramos was kidnapped for 40 minutes. The CICPC (Body for Scientific Penal and Criminal Investigations) are aware and went to his home in Santa Ines, took him home," said Vilera through social network.

The representative of the 'cats' commented that "we only know that it took four gunmen in a pickup truck." The CICPC are already aware of the case investigations team receptor Aragüeño, 24.

Vilera expressed concern about insecurity. "It has no limits and no one does anything, how long the kidnapping?" He said in his account.

On 26 October, the Sharks player of La Guaira, Oscar 'Cachi' Angel Salazar and Bravo were attacked by men on motorcycles who stole their belongings on arrival at the stadium Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez, Barquisimeto, prior to Cardinals' game against Lara.

Dominican acquitted Simon Alfredo

A criminal court dismissed the charge of voluntary manslaughter against a pitcher in Major League American baseball, charged with the murder of a young man during a New Year celebration in the country caribeñoeste.

Alfredo Simon, Orioles player from Baltimore, was released on Tuesday by a court in Puerto Plata, 180 kilometers north of Santo Domingo, in a move that was questioned by prosecutors acting.

Simon was charged with the death of young Michael Castillo and wounding his brother Starlin Castillo the night of December 31, 2010 during a New Year celebration. "The prosecutor did not prove the charge. The prosecution witnesses said they saw his gun and shoot Simon's experts showed that the bullet that was extracted did not come to the late Simon gun," said the player's lawyer, Dinorah Dilon according to local press quoted.

Although prosecutors asked 10 years in prison against the athlete, the judges rejected the request taking into account a ballistics report presented by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences, in which the shots that killed the young man did not leave the gun Simo was carrying.

The younger brother who was killed in the incident told the state as a witness at the trial that ignores what really happened because "we were all drunk." Witnesses to the incident assured the press that Simo was the shooter.

In principle, the Court had issued against Simó coercive measure a year in prison, a decision that subsequently varied by a financial guarantee, so that the pitcher was released pending trial.

Gonzalez earns Mexican Gold Glove, Molina does his 4th followed

Mexico's Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury on Tuesday became the first trio of players from the Boston Red Sox in 32 years to win the Gold Glove in the same year. The Dodgers managed just that for the first time in history, with Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. There was also a prize for the third baseman Adrian Beltre, the Texas Rangers, while Yadier Molina made ​​history by his fourth trophy followed. González received his first Gold Glove American League, which adds two that obtained in the NFC, while with San Diego. Pedroia won the award as a first baseman since 2008 and was recognized Ellsbury ever gotten. "I try to be a complete player," Gonzalez said during the program awards were announced on ESPN2. "You always can get into ruts with the bat." The three players before the Red Sox won the award in the same year were Rick Burleson shortstop, along with outfielders Dwight Evans and Fred Lynn in 1979.

Kershaw also achieved the prize for the first time as a pitcher. The awards were announced on Tuesday. Ethier received his first Gold Glove in the outfield, and endorsed Kemp also won the award in 2009 in the NL. The pitcher Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox, was the only confirmed the 2010 award in the AL. He has been Gold Glove in three consecutive years. Matt Wieters, Baltimore, was honored as the recipient, Erick Aybar of the Angels in Los Angeles, was recognized as a shortstop, and gardeners were honored Alex Gordon, Kansas City, and Nick Markakis, Baltimore. It is the third time the awards Beltre, who won the trophy in 2007 and 2008. Molina, the St. Louis Cardinals, is the first recipient of the National League to win in four consecutive years since Charles Johnson did between 1995 and 1998.

First baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati, were also awarded, along with Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, the Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco and Venezuelan outfielder Arizona, Gerardo Parra. Tulowitzki Phillips and Molina joined between those who renewed their 2010 award in the NL. Phillips won his third Gold Glove in four years. "This shows that my hard work has paid off," Phillips said in the program. Polanco, meanwhile, won the Gold Glove in the American League in 2007 and 2009. 's streak of consecutive awards Ichiro Suzuki was cut to 10. The right fielder, who had won each of his seasons in the majors, had tied the record for an American League outfielder shared by Ken Griffey Jr. and Al Kaline. Managers and coaches vote for players in their leagues and players can choose their own teams. Something broke with the new format was to be elected the gardeners for specific positions. Were selected in the AL Gordon in left, Ellsbury in center and Markakis in right. In the NL, the awards went to Parra in left, Kemp and Ethier in center on the right. Beltre and Gonzalez received $ 100,000 each in bonuses, while Aybar and Markakis will get 75,000 Molina, Pedroia, and Polanco will Votto 50,000 per head, while Tulowitzki and Buehrle will pocket 25,000. Phillips obtained a $ 250,000 increase for next season, so his salary will be located on 12.25 million under the contract option exercised by the Reds on Monday.

The winning pitcher, while, the Cy Young and MVP

"It is very easy to fall in love ... It is hard to stay in love" ... The Pimpi . Mail Today is Day, as every Friday. Danny J. Rodriguez, Caracas, question ... "Has anyone ever won the Cy Young and MVP title the same year? ... And eliminate the designated hitter in the American League as it did with the League of Caribbean and Mexico. " Dano Friend ...: In nine opportunities have received such honors double ...: 1956 Don Newcombe, 1963 Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Dennis 1968 MacLain, 1971 Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers 1981, 1984 Willie Hernandez , 1986 Roger Clemens, Dennis Eckersley 1992 ... As the designee, if removed in the AL, disappear from the Rules. Erased the 6.10. Not be used in any league affiliated with Major League Baseball. Carlos Saenz L. Merida, Yucatan, question ...

"Do you have any meaning, or is fashion, necklaces used by some professional baseball players?" Chalo ... Friend: More than fashion is superstition. But hey, everyone gives them the sense that you like. Luis Carrasquero, Maracaibo, says ...: "The issue of designated hitter attention because I do not understand how people who claim to love the game, they are accomplices to stunt. He can hit when he is old, but that is not the essence of the game. You want to see run, enjoy plays like those of Elvis Andrus in the World Series. " Wilfredo Rodriguez, Caracas, question ... "Why pitchers have to be ninth in the batting order? " Friend Will ...: No "must". Because they are preparing them takes much time and effort, they can not physically train enough hitters. Now, Babe Ruth started as a pitcher, and was ninth at bat, but third, fourth or sixth, and Victor Davalillo, who also started throwing, nor was ninth in the lineup. And like Ruth, made ​​him outfielder. Moreover, manager Tony La Russa (Cardinals), generally used as the eighth pitcher bat. Aldo Leal M. Icesave, question ...

"Why no lefties catchers and infielders?". .. Al Friend: There have been and there are many left handed infielders, who play at first base. And there have been the other infield positions, both in baseball and in different categories. Also the left-handed catchers in major league history in the dozens. However, it is unusual for a technical reason. The second base, third base and shortstop, made ​​most of his throws to first base, especially after picking up ground balls or completing doubleplays, and logically, the rights that have an easier operation. Something similar happens with the recipients rights, because most batters are right, and with them at home can be released more easily, both first and to second.

Terrible ankle and wrist injuries in the World Series

The player Mike Napoli had a bad night's game Thursday night, seriously injuring his ankle, as shown in the video above. But he was not the only injured in the game between the Rangers and St. Louis . Left fielder Matt Holliday will not be in the World Series roster with rookie Adron Chambers. The group announced that Holliday suffered a right wrist injury. The St. Louis left jadrinero suffered what was thought to be a severe bruise on the little finger of his right hand to be caught at third base on a catcher's throw of the Rangers, Mike Napoli, in the sixth inning of Game 6. Holliday said the third baseman Adrian Beltre stepped on his finger on the play. Allen Craig then replaced Holliday. Rachit Go injured in the World Series!

Cardinals completes his epic World Series conquest

The St. Louis Cardinals, the team that never daunted, on Friday were devoted champions of the World Series for the tenth first time in their history after beating Rangers 6-2 to Texas. In the first seventh game in a World Series since 2002, Chris Carpenter showed his race by launching six innings for the Cardinals with three days off. In addition, unexpected heroes David Freese and Allen Craig again be crucial to their bats. Craig hit a home run that gave the lead for St. Louis in the third inning and Freese hit an RBI double two-run served to clear away early bird advantage of Texas, who paid dearly for the lack of control of their pitchers. To the delight of a full house of 47,399 fans at Busch Stadium, Jason Motte retired David Murphy with a fly to left field for the final out. Led by Tony La Russa, the Cardinals celebrated over another crown and first since 2006.

They also established themselves as the second team with more titles from the majors, behind only the 27 of the New York Yankees. One night after surviving after meeting twice a strike away from being eliminated, San Luis became the 19th set in history that turned a 3-2 disadvantage in the Fall Classic to devote. It was a sad ending for the Rangers, the first team to succumb in two consecutive classics from Atlanta in 1991-92.

The Cardinals, however, is became the fifth wild card to be crowned champion and first since Boston Red Sox 2004. In no better way might be when considering the turmoil the team from the North Central United States first had to pass to sneak in the playoffs and then knock down one favorite after another. She had to overcome a difference of 10 ½ games to remove the wildcard to Atlanta on the last day of the regular season. She had to rebound after going 2-1 against in first-round series against the Philadelphia Phillies, owners of the best record in the regular season. Then he let out to Milwaukee, the rival who beat him in the AL Central by six games apart. 'And of course the two comebacks from the previous night in which Freese tied the game in the ninth inning with a triple and defined with a home run in the eleventh.

Texas struck first when Josh Hamilton and Michael Young hit consecutive doubles in the initial entry to go up 2-0. Carpenter struggled and retired to his first batter until the fifth struck out Adrian Beltre. The Rangers could have done more in that inning, but the receiver Yadier Molina Ian Kinsler surprised too far from the initial one. It was the second time in the series that Molina threw out a similar move Kinsler. But the hero of the night before was responsible for reviving the fans. After taking the first two outs, Rangers starter Matt Harrison gave the tickets Albert Pujols followed and Lance Berkman. Freese came to bat and hit a 3-2 pitch into account his double to left for a 2-2 draw. St. Louis went ahead 3-2 with the third homer of the series of Craig, an opposite field homer to the right with a out. The ball landed in the Cardinals' bullpen, reliever Octavio Dotel where he raised his arm in approval.

Craig was a starter because Matt Holliday, the head of left, is out after injuring his right wrist being pulled out in third base. Craig also wore stealing a home run to Nelson Cruz to pull the glove over the fence in the sixth. While Carpenter was less to more, the Texas pitching lost the compass. St. Louis off the fifth with two runs without additional get the ball infield to the reelvistas Scott Feldman and CJ Wilson, an entry of three walks, one intentional, and two balls. The races went in with a ticket to a pitch to Molina and Rafael Furcal.

Carpenter, in just his second start of his career with three days' rest, gave up six hits and two walks. He struck out five first pitcher in a decade to make three starts in a World Series mims, Carpenter was relieved by Arthur Rhodes after allowing a double to David Murphy to open the seventh Harrison allowed three runs, five hits and three walks in four innings. The sixth entry in San Luis fell in the seventh with Molina's single to center, the ninth RBI of the Puerto Rican in the series. The Rangers did not lose consecutive games since late August and the two-game losing streak in San Luis will hurt for long. And so wrote the epilogue to a full season marked by spectacular comebacks and humiliating collapse. It was also the pin for an unforgettable postseason in which 38 of the 41 played games planned.

The permanent voracious Yankees and Red Sox

FAILURE equipment billionaires this year has not taught anything. Walk around looking for the Red Sox left-hander CC Sabathia. That's because John Lackey will be outside the 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery. We will make CC an offer up to 92 million for four years who despised the Yankees.

THE OTHER hand, in the Bronx are quick to re-sign their general manager, Brian Cashman, for no Bostonians take him.Chasing the Yankees three pitchers ...: lefties CJ Wilson, Rangers free agent, and Mark Buehrle, White Sox from, plus the right Japanese Yu Darvish, who must acquire Nippon Ham Fighters of ... By the way, gather in Tampa Yankees executives, included Cashman, to plan the 2012 season. The first thing is to accept the agreed one-year option with the fielder Robinson Cano, which will cost 14 million . for just three and half million dollars sold to all Philadelphia Athletics, a day like Today, in 1954. The buyer was Arnold Johnson, Kansas City, where he led the team.

And tomorrow will be 80 years has been awarded the first title in the American League MVP, achieved by Lefty Grove of the Athletics, who won 31 games that year, 1931.* the worst performance by a pitcher was reliever for the Royals, Vin Mazzaro, 16 May. Against the Indians threw 2.1 innings, he hit 11 hits, one was run, walked three walks, two strikeouts left, threw a wild pitch, he scored 14 runs all clean, and needed 77 pitches for his seven outs. The first in the history of allowing 14 runs without ever three innings. Oh, and allowed more runs that one night he scored a few Mariano Rivera all year (13) . BABE RUTH was the largest bigleaguer in Yankees history, according to readers of USA-Today. 53 out of 100 voted for him this week. Second Lou Gehrig, 17%, third Mickey Mantle, 12%, fourth Joe DiMaggio, 11%, and fifth Derek Jeter, 7% . The area of the Rangers is the fifth in U.S. investment in television advertising. The Cardinals' is the number 21. TV Tuning lowest in a World Series was the last year, Giants, Rangers. Now, without being too high, Fox-TV is doing well

Mariano Rivera, a 'living legend'

The record of 602 saves set by Mariano Rivera in the major leagues has catapulted the Panamanian pitcher to the status of living legend with just 41 years, 15 of them dedicated to the Yankees in New York . The popular closer -name which is known to relief pitcher who is responsible for ensuring that end the game after the match, the result does not change the brand surpassed for many years had established the American, Trevor Hoffman of 601 wins with the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers. Rivera, who was born on November 29, 1969 in Puerto Caimito, a village whose inhabitants live in Panama artisanal fisheries for shrimp and fish, has a history of poverty that has indelible able to cope as most American athletes that ultimately end in its own right by entering the Hall of Fame. "I wanted to play baseball from six years in my town, but was so poor that he could not. There was no time for anything but was to try to snatch the fish of the sea to survive, "recalls the Panamanian baseball player, who admits he was first seduced by the football, but never kick a ball in a field. In his spare time playing with her friends in pastures next to the beach, where a piece of broomstick, a glove made ​​of cardboard and a ball of cloth wrapped in scraps of old nets were their most valuable tools to practice their favorite sport. Until the age of 15 knew what was really wear a glove.

The big four among free agents this year

FLUSHING, New York .- (VIP-WIRE). "The only eternal smile is that of death" ... Dracula .- -oooo- THE QUESTION OF THE WEEK .- As Albert Pujols fired three homers in the third game of the 2011 World Series, the question today is, who have got more runs in the history of these classics?

THE ANSWER 18 .- Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth 15, 12 Yogi Berra, Duke Snider 11, 10 Lou Gehrig, Reggie Jackson 10, Joe DiMaggio 8 Frank Robinson 8 Bill Skowron 8 Hank Bauer 7, Goose Goslin 7 Gil McDougald 7. BIG FOUR .- The world of free agents, which opens next week, will be encouraged in terms of power, Albert Pujols, who want to retain the Cardinals, but must compete with Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Dodgers and Nationals, Prince Fielder, who hope to sign the Nationals, followed by Dodgers, Mariners and Orioles. Free pitchers will be headed by left-hander CJ Wilson, a candidate in the aspirations of Nationals. Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees and Angels, and if not finally settled with the Yankees, CC Sabathia, already plans Mets, Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Marlins, Rangers and Red Sox ... Dawn and see ... PENALTIES .- The taxi drivers sounded their horns in their vehicles in this little town called New York, SSER fined $ 350. Therefore, the city that never slept finally able to sleep peacefully ... -oooooo, "Laughing with others is very different and much more positive than the others laugh at" ... Dick Secades .- -ooooo- PREFERENCE .- The Phillies let him go to Roy Oswalt, rather than accept the default of 2012 by 16 million Brad Lidge as to who would have cost 12 million 500 thousand. They prefer to invest that money in Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Madson ... I tell them ... Manageria .- The manager of the Blue Jays, John Farrell, is a candidate to lead the Red Sox, but still want him in Chicago for the Cubs. And by the way, if those same teams are also exploring other potential managers, as Mike Maddux and Dale Sveum ... YANKEES COME HOME .- The general manager of the Yankees, Brian Cashman and team owner Hal Steinbrenner, speaking yesterday at noon in the offices at Yankee Stadium, on the renewal of the contract. According to Cashman ...: "Everything is going very well, very well!". As Hal said for this column ... "The organization is keen to retain Brian '... PEACEFUL .- When sending this column Wednesday, waiting in San Luis the announcement that Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball Players Association signed the agreement for five years, which was under discussion. The contract expires today was announced during the 2006 World Series.