Ignacio Serrano | ESPN
CARACAS,
Venezuela — Luis Valbuena was a teenager who loved playing baseball. He wasn’t
a shoo-in for catcher but had an enormous advantage in his favor: His brother,
Carlos Chourio, worked as a trainer in the Mariners’ academy in the small
Venezuelan town of Aguirre.
Venezuela — Luis Valbuena was a teenager who loved playing baseball. He wasn’t
a shoo-in for catcher but had an enormous advantage in his favor: His brother,
Carlos Chourio, worked as a trainer in the Mariners’ academy in the small
Venezuelan town of Aguirre.
«Luis
was not big enough, and at that time, not strong enough,» recalled Emilio
Carrasquel, coordinator of Seattle’s operations in Venezuela.
was not big enough, and at that time, not strong enough,» recalled Emilio
Carrasquel, coordinator of Seattle’s operations in Venezuela.
Aguirre is
a town in the middle of this South American country, about 80 miles from the
capital, Caracas. A relentless sun beats down for a good part of the year on
the nearby mountains and in the valley that passes through the states of Aragua
and Carabobo.
a town in the middle of this South American country, about 80 miles from the
capital, Caracas. A relentless sun beats down for a good part of the year on
the nearby mountains and in the valley that passes through the states of Aragua
and Carabobo.
But heat is
not the only thing you find in abundance in this central swath. You find
baseball fields and, most of all, boys longing for the fulfillment of a dream
shared by thousands of young Venezuelans: to be the next Luis Aparicio or
Miguel Cabrera.
not the only thing you find in abundance in this central swath. You find
baseball fields and, most of all, boys longing for the fulfillment of a dream
shared by thousands of young Venezuelans: to be the next Luis Aparicio or
Miguel Cabrera.
Valbuena
was one of those boys. He was born in the remote state of Zulia, in Caja Seca,
around 500 miles from Aguirre. But his love for baseball had a key ally: his
brother, Carlos. It was through him that Valbuena came to the Mariners’ academy
and thanks to him that he got noticed.
was one of those boys. He was born in the remote state of Zulia, in Caja Seca,
around 500 miles from Aguirre. But his love for baseball had a key ally: his
brother, Carlos. It was through him that Valbuena came to the Mariners’ academy
and thanks to him that he got noticed.
«He
didn’t seem to be a natural fit,» noted Carrasquel.
didn’t seem to be a natural fit,» noted Carrasquel.
But there
are perks to having someone in the right place at the right time. And above
all, there are advantages to having an academy that develops players in your
own country.
are perks to having someone in the right place at the right time. And above
all, there are advantages to having an academy that develops players in your
own country.
Valbuena
wanted to stay in Aguirre, and the Mariners’ coaching staff wanted to try him
in other positions.
wanted to stay in Aguirre, and the Mariners’ coaching staff wanted to try him
in other positions.
«The
fact he was a lefty and had a lively bat caught our attention,» Carrasquel
added. «He was with us for a time and we had the idea to have him field
grounders. He wasn’t quick enough to be considered a natural infielder, but he
caught on and we decided to give him a chance.»
fact he was a lefty and had a lively bat caught our attention,» Carrasquel
added. «He was with us for a time and we had the idea to have him field
grounders. He wasn’t quick enough to be considered a natural infielder, but he
caught on and we decided to give him a chance.»
Valbuena
seized the opportunity. It has been 13 years since he signed. After moving up
through the minor leagues, reaching the majors with Seattle and playing for
various teams, he is now a third baseman for the Astros. This season, his 19
home runs lead Houston.
seized the opportunity. It has been 13 years since he signed. After moving up
through the minor leagues, reaching the majors with Seattle and playing for
various teams, he is now a third baseman for the Astros. This season, his 19
home runs lead Houston.
«That’s
the advantage of having an academy in your country,» emphasized
Carrasquel. «You can watch players for 15 or 30 days, without signing
them.»
the advantage of having an academy in your country,» emphasized
Carrasquel. «You can watch players for 15 or 30 days, without signing
them.»
Valbuena,
Magglio Ordóñez, even José Altuve and many others who didn’t have the profile
of future stars, were able to get their start in professional baseball thanks
to this system.
Magglio Ordóñez, even José Altuve and many others who didn’t have the profile
of future stars, were able to get their start in professional baseball thanks
to this system.
More than
20 major league teams had built facilities in the country by 1999. They formed
a network that linked small towns such as Aguirre, Ciudad Alianza, Guacara or
Bejuma. Each year they rounded up hundreds of youngsters from Venezuela, as
well as Central America, Colombia and Caribbean islands like Curacao. It was
quite a boom, inspired by a man who immmigrated to Venezuela decades earlier.
20 major league teams had built facilities in the country by 1999. They formed
a network that linked small towns such as Aguirre, Ciudad Alianza, Guacara or
Bejuma. Each year they rounded up hundreds of youngsters from Venezuela, as
well as Central America, Colombia and Caribbean islands like Curacao. It was
quite a boom, inspired by a man who immmigrated to Venezuela decades earlier.
FEELING AT
HOME
HOME
Andrés
Reiner was born in Hungary, and at the age of 10 crossed the Atlantic with his
parents. He left behind a Europe in ruins from World War II and the Iron
Curtain about to close. He also left behind friends, familiar places, customs.
He had to learn a new language, live in a country without four distinct
seasons, and eat different foods.
Reiner was born in Hungary, and at the age of 10 crossed the Atlantic with his
parents. He left behind a Europe in ruins from World War II and the Iron
Curtain about to close. He also left behind friends, familiar places, customs.
He had to learn a new language, live in a country without four distinct
seasons, and eat different foods.
Reiner
became Venezuelan, a jeweler by trade — a working man. He also became a
baseball man.
became Venezuelan, a jeweler by trade — a working man. He also became a
baseball man.
For years
he traveled the country accompanying MLB scouts and executives, looking for the
new David Concepción, Manny Trillo, Bo Díaz, Tony Armas. And the more he
learned about the business, the more convinced he became that it needed a new
approach.
he traveled the country accompanying MLB scouts and executives, looking for the
new David Concepción, Manny Trillo, Bo Díaz, Tony Armas. And the more he
learned about the business, the more convinced he became that it needed a new
approach.
“Venezuela
isn’t a little island; it’s a huge country,» he explained. «We had to
change how we scouted for players.»
isn’t a little island; it’s a huge country,» he explained. «We had to
change how we scouted for players.»
Reiner was
also convinced that signing young players and taking them directly to the minor
league system wasn’t the best idea either. Mothers and fathers often refused to
be parted from their sons. And fond memories of their distant home country led
many prospects to fizzle.
also convinced that signing young players and taking them directly to the minor
league system wasn’t the best idea either. Mothers and fathers often refused to
be parted from their sons. And fond memories of their distant home country led
many prospects to fizzle.
«Leaving
your country is always a cultural shock,» said Reiner. «I know,
because I myself experienced it. Imagine you are 16 years old and you have to
start a career in a new country, far from loved ones, surrounded by unfamiliar
customs. It’s a shock.»
your country is always a cultural shock,» said Reiner. «I know,
because I myself experienced it. Imagine you are 16 years old and you have to
start a career in a new country, far from loved ones, surrounded by unfamiliar
customs. It’s a shock.»
Reiner
designed a plan to create a major league academy in Venezuela in order to
address that flaw in the system. For almost five years, he tried to convince
the Giants, the Pirates and the Astros, but with no success.
designed a plan to create a major league academy in Venezuela in order to
address that flaw in the system. For almost five years, he tried to convince
the Giants, the Pirates and the Astros, but with no success.
But an
executive from Houston understood the project’s perks.
executive from Houston understood the project’s perks.
“Bill Wood
was a minor league director and loved the idea,» recalled Reiner. «He
said to me: ‘When I reach a position where I can make decisions, we’ll talk.’
And in 1988, he was appointed president and general manager.»
was a minor league director and loved the idea,» recalled Reiner. «He
said to me: ‘When I reach a position where I can make decisions, we’ll talk.’
And in 1988, he was appointed president and general manager.»
That’s how
the first major league academy in Venezuela came to be. It sparked a true
revolution in this country’s sports.
the first major league academy in Venezuela came to be. It sparked a true
revolution in this country’s sports.
From the
Astros’ school emerged Roberto Petagine, Bob Abreu, Richard Hidalgo, Melvin
Mora, Carlos Guillén, Freddy García, Alejandro Freire, Johan Santana. Prospect
after prospect.
Astros’ school emerged Roberto Petagine, Bob Abreu, Richard Hidalgo, Melvin
Mora, Carlos Guillén, Freddy García, Alejandro Freire, Johan Santana. Prospect
after prospect.
Other teams
took notice and decided to tap into the pipeline. By 1997, there were so many
baseball academies, they decided to create a circuit for developing new
professionals and the Venezuelan Summer League was born.
took notice and decided to tap into the pipeline. By 1997, there were so many
baseball academies, they decided to create a circuit for developing new
professionals and the Venezuelan Summer League was born.
BOOM AND
DECLINE
DECLINE
In 1998,
around 20 Venezuelans were playing in the MLB. In 2014, they numbered almost
100.
around 20 Venezuelans were playing in the MLB. In 2014, they numbered almost
100.
In those 16
years, Santana and Félix Hernández won three Cy Young Awards between them;
Cabrera won the Triple Crown and was twice named MVP; Ordóñez, Altuve, Cabrera
and Carlos González won six batting titles; García, Santana, Hernández and
Aníbal Sánchez had the lowest ERA during seven different seasons; and Francisco
Rodríguez smashed Bobby Thigpen’s saves record.
years, Santana and Félix Hernández won three Cy Young Awards between them;
Cabrera won the Triple Crown and was twice named MVP; Ordóñez, Altuve, Cabrera
and Carlos González won six batting titles; García, Santana, Hernández and
Aníbal Sánchez had the lowest ERA during seven different seasons; and Francisco
Rodríguez smashed Bobby Thigpen’s saves record.
Ordóñez,
Altuve, Valbuena and many others would never have even signed if it weren’t for
the academies.
Altuve, Valbuena and many others would never have even signed if it weren’t for
the academies.
But the
boom of the schools has dwindled in the past 15 years. Less than a quarter of
the original teams still have a presence in the country. The Venezuelan Summer
League is down to just four teams: the Phillies, Tigers, Cubs and Rays. A fifth
team, the Twins, still has an academy but doesn’t participate in the league.
boom of the schools has dwindled in the past 15 years. Less than a quarter of
the original teams still have a presence in the country. The Venezuelan Summer
League is down to just four teams: the Phillies, Tigers, Cubs and Rays. A fifth
team, the Twins, still has an academy but doesn’t participate in the league.
«We
are left vulnerable to what’s happening in Venezuela, like everyone else,»
said a member of one of those teams who asked to remain anonymous. «We are
also affected by insecurity and scarcity.»
are left vulnerable to what’s happening in Venezuela, like everyone else,»
said a member of one of those teams who asked to remain anonymous. «We are
also affected by insecurity and scarcity.»
The land of
Luis Aparicio suffers from the highest inflation rate in the world, at about
100 percent, according to independent economists (the Central Bank of Venezuela
hasn’t delivered its monthly figures since the end of 2014). The crime rate, especially
murders in low-income areas, is among the highest on the planet.
Luis Aparicio suffers from the highest inflation rate in the world, at about
100 percent, according to independent economists (the Central Bank of Venezuela
hasn’t delivered its monthly figures since the end of 2014). The crime rate, especially
murders in low-income areas, is among the highest on the planet.
Every day
long lines form at supermarkets with people trying to buy basic grocery items,
most of which are rationed and scarce. Rigid control over exchange rates makes
it hard to buy imported products or even plane tickets. The national government
said that all U.S. citizens must have a special visa to enter the country.
long lines form at supermarkets with people trying to buy basic grocery items,
most of which are rationed and scarce. Rigid control over exchange rates makes
it hard to buy imported products or even plane tickets. The national government
said that all U.S. citizens must have a special visa to enter the country.
With all
these factors, the Mariners announced they would move their operations to a
new, modern and spacious academy in the Dominican Republic.
these factors, the Mariners announced they would move their operations to a
new, modern and spacious academy in the Dominican Republic.
Jeff
Zduriencik, Seattle’s general manager, affirmed in a press release that the
decision was made based on sporting and administrative reasons. Kim Ng, vice
president for baseball operations with MLB, sent a memo to the 30 clubs asking
them to refrain from any declaration that could be politically interpreted by
any of the factions clashing in Venezuela.
Zduriencik, Seattle’s general manager, affirmed in a press release that the
decision was made based on sporting and administrative reasons. Kim Ng, vice
president for baseball operations with MLB, sent a memo to the 30 clubs asking
them to refrain from any declaration that could be politically interpreted by
any of the factions clashing in Venezuela.
«Our
new facility is very comfortable for the players,» acknowledged
Carrasquel.
new facility is very comfortable for the players,» acknowledged
Carrasquel.
A former
member of the Mariners’ academy, however, said that the socioeconomic situation
did play a role.
member of the Mariners’ academy, however, said that the socioeconomic situation
did play a role.
«In
addition to insecurity,» he said, «it became hard to get even the
most basic foods. It isn’t easy to buy flour in bulk, not to mention the amount
of chicken and meat needed to feed 35 players every single day.»
addition to insecurity,» he said, «it became hard to get even the
most basic foods. It isn’t easy to buy flour in bulk, not to mention the amount
of chicken and meat needed to feed 35 players every single day.»
An academy
participating in the Venezuelan Summer League had to have at least that number of
players, served by around 10 coaches, trainers and clubhouse employees. The
Mariners’ academy created an additional 15 to 20 indirect jobs held by cooks,
janitors, groundskeepers and others.
participating in the Venezuelan Summer League had to have at least that number of
players, served by around 10 coaches, trainers and clubhouse employees. The
Mariners’ academy created an additional 15 to 20 indirect jobs held by cooks,
janitors, groundskeepers and others.
BETWEEN
HOPE AND GLOOM
HOPE AND GLOOM
The
remaining organizations show no signs of leaving.
remaining organizations show no signs of leaving.
«We
have always believed in Venezuela,» insisted a representative of the Rays
who preferred to remain anonymous. «Our operations continue unchanged. We
take each day as it comes, like any Venezuelan, but we get used to it.
have always believed in Venezuela,» insisted a representative of the Rays
who preferred to remain anonymous. «Our operations continue unchanged. We
take each day as it comes, like any Venezuelan, but we get used to it.
«We
are a low-budget team,» he added. «We depend on our minor leagues,
the Triple-A franchise and Summer League are equally important. Having an
academy here gives you enormous advantages.»
are a low-budget team,» he added. «We depend on our minor leagues,
the Triple-A franchise and Summer League are equally important. Having an
academy here gives you enormous advantages.»
Carrasquel
agrees. Although he is excited about the new facility in the Dominican, he
feels heavy-hearted about having shut down operations in Venezuela, where only
talent scouts have remained.
agrees. Although he is excited about the new facility in the Dominican, he
feels heavy-hearted about having shut down operations in Venezuela, where only
talent scouts have remained.
«They
were 15 very successful years,» he said. «I understand the team’s
reasons. But when I see the talent that continues to emerge, I think it’s a
shame we had to leave.»
were 15 very successful years,» he said. «I understand the team’s
reasons. But when I see the talent that continues to emerge, I think it’s a
shame we had to leave.»
Josman
Robles is one of the coaches at the Tigers’ academy, which has recently
produced major league players like Ángel Nesbitt, Hernán Pérez and Eugenio
Suárez. He also stressed Detroit’s determination to continue operating in the
country.
Robles is one of the coaches at the Tigers’ academy, which has recently
produced major league players like Ángel Nesbitt, Hernán Pérez and Eugenio
Suárez. He also stressed Detroit’s determination to continue operating in the
country.
«The
human side is what’s most important,» he emphasized. «It’s something
we strive to reinforce at the academies. Yes, we train baseball players, but we
also teach discipline, teamwork, responsibility. Those that don’t manage to
make baseball into a career will be equipped to be good citizens and help build
the country in other ways.»
human side is what’s most important,» he emphasized. «It’s something
we strive to reinforce at the academies. Yes, we train baseball players, but we
also teach discipline, teamwork, responsibility. Those that don’t manage to
make baseball into a career will be equipped to be good citizens and help build
the country in other ways.»
Altuve
dominated in national championships 10 years ago, but he was only 5-foot-4 and
no scout wanted to sign him. The only scout who believed in him was Wolfgang
Ramos, and with him, Pablo Torrealba, Omar López and Alfredo Pedrique.
dominated in national championships 10 years ago, but he was only 5-foot-4 and
no scout wanted to sign him. The only scout who believed in him was Wolfgang
Ramos, and with him, Pablo Torrealba, Omar López and Alfredo Pedrique.
They were
all part of the Astros’ player development system, and they were able to
convince their bosses to give the tiny infielder a chance.
all part of the Astros’ player development system, and they were able to
convince their bosses to give the tiny infielder a chance.
The rest is
history. Altuve was signed with a small bonus, and thanks to Houston he was
able to prove his worth at the Astros’ academy in Guacara. Today, he is the
defending major league batting champion and plays second base for the Astros.
history. Altuve was signed with a small bonus, and thanks to Houston he was
able to prove his worth at the Astros’ academy in Guacara. Today, he is the
defending major league batting champion and plays second base for the Astros.
He shares a
spot in the lineup there with Valbuena. Both began their careers as long shots
and in different places, but both are now are stars thanks to the opportunities
they received.
spot in the lineup there with Valbuena. Both began their careers as long shots
and in different places, but both are now are stars thanks to the opportunities
they received.
The
academies that remain in Venezuela hope to take advantage of the decrease in
competition to find very talented players at low cost.
academies that remain in Venezuela hope to take advantage of the decrease in
competition to find very talented players at low cost.
«And
there is a lot of talent,» stressed Carrasquel. «Loads of
talent.»
there is a lot of talent,» stressed Carrasquel. «Loads of
talent.»
Ignacio Serrano is based in Caracas and covers
Venezuelan baseball for ESPNDeportes.com
Venezuelan baseball for ESPNDeportes.com
