Wilson Ramos Kidnapped in Venezuela by Four Gunmen
Wilson Ramos Kidnapped in Venezuela by Four Gunmen - Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped on Wednesday evening, Nov. 9, in his home country of Venezuela. It's the sort of off-season trouble that makes shoulder surgeries and rehab schedules absurd in terms of the fervor and drama they create.
Here are some facts about the Wilson Ramos kidnapping story which have come to light so far, as well as some statistics and facts about Ramos.
* Ramos was taken by four gunmen near his home in the town of Santa Ines, Venezuela.
* He had been playing winter league baseball in his home country, for the team Tigres de Aragua. Team officials for the Tigres have confirmed the kidnapping, however, team officials from the Washington Nationals have not as of yet confirmed or denied any reports or news updates.
* The latest available update was that Venezuelan officials found the vehicle the four assailants used to transport Ramos. The car was abandoned in a nearby town, and evidence is still being gathered by police.
* Officials from the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and Venezuelan police both confirm that no contact has been made by the abductors as of yet.
* Police reports show that in 2009 there were 618 reported kidnappings in Venezuela, up from 52 annually a decade prior. Most believe the real number is far greater however, with many kidnappings going unreported and being handled without the assistance of police.
* Ramos isn't the first Venezuelan Major League Baseball player to be affected by kidnappings in his home country. In 2009, Yorvit Torrealba's son and brother-in-law were kidnapped and released after one day. Also in 2009, Victor Zambrano's mother was kidnapped and then rescued three days later. In 2005, Ugueth Urbina spent five months in captivity after a kidnapping.
* 2011 was Ramos' first full season in the Major Leagues. He became the everyday catcher for the Nationals, appearing in 113 games while hitting .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs. His 15 home runs were the most for a Nationals catcher in the team's short history.
* Even more impressive than his hitting statistics were his fielding statistics. He threw out 23 out of 71 base runners attempting to steal bases against him, for a lofty 32% caught stealing mark.
* At just 24 years of age, his ability both at the plate and behind it earned him a place as one of the Nationals building blocks for their future. They also earned him status as a fan-favorite player in the dependable, blue-collar role, in a season where big-name, big-money players for the Nationals such as Jayson Werth failed to produce.
via: yahoo
