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Title: Miguel Cabrera speaks out on death threats, bribes paid to protect his mom from kidnapping
Source:
M Live
URL Source: http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.s ... rea.html#incart_river_home_pop
Published: Jul 11, 2017
Author: Evan Woodbery
Post Date: 2017-07-11 10:39:14 by Deckard
Ping List: *Baseball* Subscribe to *Baseball*
Keywords: None
Views: 3879
Comments: 23
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera is speaking out more forcefully than ever before about the ongoing crisis in his native Venezuela, breaking what he said was his long-standing rule against meddling in politics. In a series of free-wheeling videos posted on Monday to the "stories" section of his Instagram account, Cabrera blasted the corruption of Venezuela's government, voiced his support for protesters and spoke of threats against his family that required him to pay vacunas, or protection money. The passionate political speeches in Spanish were interspersed with videos of his family on a private jet and then at a beach resort. Monday was the first day of the All-Star Break and Cabrera was among several players who left for family vacations after Sunday night's game. It's not clear if Cabrera intended the videos for wide distribution. Instagram stories are designed to be viewed only once and disappear completely within 24 hours. In any case, Cabrera's comments instantly made headlines in Venezuela, where newspapers and websites put his words in bold headlines: "If I go to Venezuela 'they'll break me, they'll kill me'" "I'm tired of paying protection money so they don't kidnap my mother" Cabrera's words come at a pivotal time in the history of Venezuela, which was once one of the wealthiest in South America. Today it's on the brink of economic collapse. President Nicholas Maduro has called a July 30 referendum that opponents believe will be used to permanently enshrine a Cuban-style communist dictatorship. The opposition has called on supporters to ignore Maduro's plan and instead vote in an unofficial referendum on July 16. Protests against Maduro's government have racked the country for months. Although Cabrera said he did not consider himself a member of the opposition, he made no secret about where he stands. "I protest for truth, for the end of communism, and I am not with dictators," he said. "To the people of the resistance, you are not alone." Cabrera also added that no "gringo" had paid him for his views, a reference to Maduro's claims that the United States is paying celebrities and athletes to speak out against his government. Miguel Cabrera apoya las protestas y denuncia que le cobran vacuna Cabrera's words are from more than a dozen short videos posted on Instagram. Spliced together, they're a mixture of high-minded political philosophy and personal grievances, along with pleas for his family's safety. "Please do not do anything to my family. That's what I ask," Cabrera said. Poster Comment: I wondered why his hatting has been way down this year. His .264 batting average is the lowest of his career.
Miguel Cabrera spoke out on the crisis in Venezuela and threats to his family in a series of videos posted on Monday (photo by Mike Mulholland, MLive).
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#1. To: Deckard, CZ82 (#0)
Age actually. When players get older and don't adjust their diet and exercise, they get more injuries. He's a pudgy but talented baseball player. Now entering the mid to late 30s and that will take a toll. Happened to Prince Fielder a lot sooner.
I agree. I've got to believe though that the situation with his mom is taking a toll as well. Even when playing injured, he was always smiling and joking around with opposing players. Not so much this year. A hitter like Cabrera doesn't drop from a .316 to where he is now in one year. Also, I think his playing in the WBC this spring may have not been the best idea for someone his age. Kinsler too, he played in the WBC and his hitting is down as well.
Kinsler and Cabrera are not the only ones who played WBC that are down this year. Lucroy-Rangers---great WBC but is on a downward trend from last year offensively and defensively. Sam Dyson: Was the go to guy out of the pen in the 8th and 9th (sometimes pitching both innings) closing out games for team USA. He bombed and got DFA'd by the Rangers as he blew 5 saves in a row, demoted and bombed in the set up role; then bombed in the 'we have a lead, how much can Sam hurt us (and did) category.' Now with the Giants and 3 for 4 on saves with an ERA under 3. Beltre: played limited during WBC and pulled a calf muscle keeping him on the DL until mid June this year. Odor: did great in WBC and rode that wave into the early season, but fell off the face of the earth below Mendoza for May, June and early July. Just started to come around in the last two weeks. Yeah, WBC did not help the Rangers out this year.
Neither did their pitching, some of my neighbor kids could do better.
Yeah there were many factors which contributed to mediocrity. We already knew at season start the line up had two holes and then Beltre went out leading to a third. The thinking was our pen was top of the league and would keep us competitive. Well who thought every arm would be unrelaible? The rotation was not much to think of. Two pitchers does not make a rotation and we traded one of two. Bright spot was Cashmen in the second half of the season. Watch they won't sign him. So the rotation will not improve much next year. Of course a lot has to do with actually getting on base and scoring runs other than the long ball. I don't think we had anyone who played a full season hit above .270 other than Elvis. It was pathetic to see three everydays hovering the Mendoza all season. All of the above tells the story of why the Rangers just were not a good team this year. They also have few options to make it better for next year.
On the offensive side of the ball: Odor; Is he going to stay at the Mendoza line or will he get back to .270? I think he fell in love w/hitting all those HRs last year so he consequently regressed. Someone needs to sit him down and help him get his head on straight. He can get to 25-30 HR but with over 100 RBIs if he just lets the game come to him, put the ball in play instead of taking a K and he can create more havoc on the bases with his speed. Joey; I think he will continue to improve, don't think he'll ever be a .300 hitter but I would be happy with .250-.260 in his stat line to go along with you know 40+ HRs. (Hit 2 bombs last night, the one in the second deck must have been 475' or more). lol Mazara; not sure how much better he's going to get, already at 100 RBIs in his second year, maybe raise his average to .275-.285 which would mean more RBIs. Choo; got 3 more years on contract but I think he can keep his stats up if he stays healthy, he's not ALL/NOTHING like some guys. And for him to stay in the leadoff position you need guys at 8-9 that can get on base, otherwise move him down a slot or two. Also see him being fulltime DH part time RFer. Adrian; can't get any better but really needs to stay healthy, he put up really good stats for what little time he played this year. Elvis; don't really see any regression coming unless it's HRs, he is finally what they always thought he would be (and finally earning his salary). DD; Is there room for improvement yes but will he?? Is he our fulltime CFer next year, he's more suited for LF so I don't think so. The club is being tied to Lorenzo Cain as of this time and he would be a decent fit, would prefer Billy Hamilton because of SBs but would love to have Josh in his prime!!! Gomez and Napoli = Probably Gone (Gomez could come back if the can't find another CFer, if he does they need to do the same thing with him they need to do with Roogie). Profar; what the heck are they going to do with him, trade or super utility player? (I think the super utility role screwed him up at the plate, he's too young yet to wrap his head around that). If they trade Adrian he'll stay with the club and maybe put him at 2B and move Roogie to 3rd. He also played CF in the classic so that is an option but I think a longshot at best, they didn't play him there at AAA this year only SS. (Soriano went from IF to CF and did quite well there). Is Calhoun in the mix now? Maybe if they want to save some money to get good FA pitching. Problem is he's a LFer we already have 5 or so.
#11. To: CZ82 (#10)
Great run down. You should be GM. :-)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestHis .264 batting average is the lowest of his career
#2. To: redleghunter (#1)
Age actually. When players get older and don't adjust their diet and exercise, they get more injuries.
#3. To: Deckard, CZ82 (#2)
Also, I think his playing in the WBC this spring may have not been the best idea for someone his age. Kinsler too, he played in the WBC and his hitting is down as well.
#4. To: redleghunter (#3)
Yeah, WBC did not help the Rangers out this year.
#5. To: CZ82 (#4)
Neither did their pitching, some of my neighbor kids could do better.
#10. To: redleghunter (#5)
(Edited)
Of course a lot has to do with actually getting on base and scoring runs other than the long ball. I don't think we had anyone who played a full season hit above .270 other than Elvis. It was pathetic to see three everydays hovering the Mendoza all season.
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