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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: 3872
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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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 6.
#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.
Looks like I'm not the only one predicting Darvish will return to the Rangers. And if he returns then there is a good chance they might get Shohei Otani who considers Darvish to be his best friend. So I wouldn't write them off just yet but this is a lot of "IFs". http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2735611-2017-mlb-free-agents-predictions-for- top-pitchers-set-to-hit-open-market Darvish was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline to help this powerful team with its stretch run. While the Dodgers have struggled badly in recent weeks, Darvish is 4-3 with a 3.44 earned-run average and a 1.148 WHIP since coming to Los Angeles. Darvish had been a No. 1 starter with the Rangers before he moved to the Dodgers, and there's every chance he could return to Texas in the offseason. Prediction: Darvish pitched with the Rangers from 2012 until the trade deadline after dominating in Japan earlier in his career. We expect him to return to Texas and regain his spot as the ace of the rotation. However, Darvish has the skills and track record to be a top pitcher for years, and any team that is not afraid of his 2015 Tommy John surgery history could make a big move for him.
There are no replies to Comment # 6. End Trace Mode for Comment # 6.
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.
#6. To: redleghunter (#5)
(Edited)
They also have few options to make it better for next year.
Replies to Comment # 6.
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