Receiver Wilson Ramos, Kidnapped in Venezuela

Receiver Wilson Ramos, kidnapped in Venezuela

CARACAS (AP) – The recipient of the Washington Nationals, Wilson Ramos, was kidnapped in Venezuela on Wednesday confirmed a member of the management of the Tigres de Aragua, the Venezuelan team in the league.

“Still no news of Wilson Ramos … Just know that it took four gunmen in a pickup truck from his home in Santa Ines,” said Katherine Vilera, public relations manager Aragua Tigers through your account on the Twitter social network.

Vilera said “it is sad, disturbing and true that Wilson Ramos was abducted less than 1hr (one hour).”

Judicial police “is told, and went to his home in Santa Inés” he said.

Ramos was abducted at about 18:45 (2315 GMT) for a group of armed men entered his house located in the Santa Ines the central state of Carabobo, located some 150 kilometers west of Caracas.

In the South American country, the source of dozens of players in the majors, the wealthy families of several athletes have been victims of kidnappers. Ramos would be the first major leaguer kidnapped.

According to a person close to the family, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the subject, the player was in his home with his father and brothers when several men “went straight home and I away. ” There were no theft.

“Until this time (the kidnappers) have not had any contact” with family, the person said.

Ramos, who debuted in the majors in 2010, batted in last season for a .267 average, 104 hits product in 387 opportunities. He hit 15 homers, scored 48 runs and drove in another 52 in 113 games.

He also threw 19 of 67 runners attempting to steal a base, representing an average 28% the third best among the recipients of the National League.

Ramos, one of the top prospects in the Minnesota Twins, was acquired in 2010 for the Nationals in a trade for closer Matt Capps.

The kidnapping appears to be the first case of kidnapping of a major leaguer.

In the South American country, the source of dozens of players in the majors, the wealthy families of several athletes have been victims of kidnappers. Ramos would be the first major leaguer kidnapped.

At dawn on November 8, 2009 was kidnapped Elizabeth Mendez, mother of pitcher Victor Zambrano, on the farm of his son in the valleys of Tucutunemo, a farming village near the central city of Maracay, near the site of plagiarism Ramos .

Police rescued unharmed three days after the kidnapping.

Zambrano’s mother was kidnapped nine days after the cousin of former pitcher, Richard Mendez Zambrano, who was kidnapped and later killed.

Zambrano played seven seasons in the majors with Tampa Bay, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.

In June 2009, were kidnapped son of the recipient of the San Diego Padres, Yorvit Torrealba, and his brother, who were freed a day later in part because their kidnappers were hemmed in by police. Torrealba played 2011 with the Texas Rangers.

On November 30, 2008, the brother of catcher Henry Blanco, the former New York Mets and now wears the shirt of the Arizona Diamondback, was kidnapped and murdered by his captors.

The mother of former player Ugueth Urbina, who played for six teams in the majors, spent more than five months in captivity until she was rescued in early 2005.