July 2012
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the U.S.
BASEBALL: VENEZUELA’S PASSION
While most countries in Latin America are fanatics about
their soccer, Venezuela more closely resembles some
of its Caribbean neighbors in its passion for baseball.
The popularity of baseball in Venezuela reflects the cultural
ties that have long existed between that country and the
United States. Baseball was introduced in Venezuela in the
early 20th century by young people who had attended U.S.
universities and U.S. citizens working the country’s oil industry.
The game was played informally in Venezuela for many
years before the country’s first professional baseball
league was established in 1945. Since then, the sport has
really taken off, and hundreds of Venezuelan-born players
have taken the field as members of U.S. baseball teams.
Venezuelans in the U.S.
As baseball became more and more popular in Venezuela,
Venezuelan players, recognized for their athleticism and passion
for the game, began joining U.S. Major League (MLB) teams.
Over the years, they have made their presence known by setting
records, winning championships and even serving as managers.
The first Venezuelan to play on an MLB team was Alex
Carrasquel, who debuted with the Washington Senators as
a pitcher on April 23, 1939. He played until July 26, 1949.
Alex Carrasquel’s nephew, Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel,
was Venezuela’s first notable MLB baseball player. He
debuted as a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox on
September 23, 1950. In 1951, he became the first Latin
American ever chosen for an All-Star Team. Carrasquel
was already a star in Venezuela – in 1946, he hit the first
ever homerun of the country’s new professional league.
Since Carrasquel’s debut in 1939, over 260 other Venezuelans
have played on MLB teams. At the start of the 2012
season, a record 66 Venezuelans were on the rosters of
MLB teams, second only to the Dominican Republic in
terms of foreign-born players in U.S. professional baseball.1
Venezuelan Accomplishments
Accomplishments by Venezuelan players in Major League
Baseball are numerous.
On June 4, 2012, Johan Santana of the New York Mets made
MLB history when he pitched the team’s first ever no-hit norun game. Santana is the fourth Venezuelan pitcher to pull
off a no-hitter after Wilson Alvarez (with the Chicago White
Sox on August 11, 1991), Aníbal Sánchez (with the Florida
Marlins on September 6, 2006), and Carlos Zambrano (with
the Chicago Cubs on September 14, 2008). On June 22, New
York’s Mayor Bloomberg recognized Santa’s achievement by
giving him the key to the city.2
Many other Venezuelans are standing out in the MLB this
year. Bobby Abreu of the Los Angeles Dodgers surpassed
Mickey Mantle’s record on the all-time hits list by reaching
2,418 career hits.3 Meanwhile, Pablo Sandoval had a
20-game hit streak to open the 2012 season, surpassing
Willy Mays and setting a new record for his team, the San
Francisco Giants.4
Luis Aparicio, another star shortstop, became the first
Venezuelan player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in
1984. During his career, Aparicio – who played for the Chicago
White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox – won the
Rookie of the Year Award in 1956, played in 10 All-Star games,
won a World Series Championship in 1966, and claimed nine
Golden Glove Awards. His number – 11 – was retired in 1984
by the Chicago White Sox and later given, with Aparicio’s
permission, to another Venezuelan player, Omar Vizquel.
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - 1099 30th Street, NW - Washington, D.C. 20007 - (202) 342-2214 - venezuela-us.org
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the U.S.
Another important slugger from Venezuela is Miguel Cabrera
of the Detroit Tigers, a six-time All Star with 290 career
homeruns to date and over 1,000 RBIs. In 2007, he became the
first Tiger to earn the American League batting title since 1961.
Great Moments
His teammate Magglio Ordoñez has been credited with
helping revive the Tigers, bringing them to the World Series
in 2006 and winning the American League batting title
the following year. When Ordoñez retired on June 3, 2012,
after 15 seasons, the Tigers saluted him by celebrating
Magglio Ordoñez Day at Detroit’s Comerica Park.5
1951: Chico Carrasquel is the first Latin American chosen for
an All-Star Team
Also set to retire is Omar Vizquel, who became the oldest
player in the MLB at age 45, with 24 seasons under his
belt as well as 11 Gold Gloves and two All-Star selections.6
The accomplishments of Venezuelans in the Major
Leagues even extend to team management. Ozzie
Guillen, who managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004
to 2011, claimed the honor of becoming the first Latinborn manager to win a World Series Championship in
2005. He is currently the manager of the Miami Marlins.
A Baseball Landmark
1939: Alex Carrasquel is the first Venezuelan to join the
Major Leagues
1966: Luis Aparicio helps the Baltimore Orioles win the
World Series
1984: Luis Aparicio is inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame
2005: Ozzie Guillen becomes the first Latin American
manager to lead his team - the White Sox - to a World Series
victory
2006: Magglio Ordoñez helps bring the Tigers to the World
Series
2007: Miguel Cabrera wins the American League batting title
2012: Johan Santana pitches the Mets’ first no-hit game
A Bostonian once said, “London has Big Ben, Paris
has the Eiffel Tower. Boston has the CITGO sign.”
The CITGO sign is an emblem of local identity
that has stood just outside Boston’s Fenway
Park since 1965. When Venezuela’s state-owned
oil company purchased a majority share in the
CITGO Petroleum Corporation in the 1990s, it
purchased with it the CITGO sign and its legacy.
In 2005, the CITGO spent $1 million to refurbish
the sign, ensuring that it would remain part of
Boston’s skyline and a visual representation
of Venezuela’s presence in U.S. baseball.7
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Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - 1099 30th Street, NW - Washington, D.C. 20007 - (202) 342-2214 - venezuela-us.org