SPORTS AND BASEBALL
In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, many sports are practiced, from baseball, soccer and basketball to cycling, boxing, fencing, rowing and swimming. The government of President Chavez has offered extensive support to Venezuelan athletes. The results of these efforts have been seen not only in the classification of 109 athletes and 27 paralympians to the compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but also in international competitions of soccer, baseball and handball. The efforts of the government of President Chavez go beyond the highly competitive sports — a greater inclusion communities in sports has been similarly pursued. Recent years have seen more than three million Venezuelans take part in programs and initiatives geared at increasing participation in sports and athletics.
Baseball
Baseball is the most popular competitive sport in Venezuela. There is no city or town, however small they may be, that does not have a baseball team. From these small teams originate many of the Venezuelan ballplayers that play in the Major Leagues in the U.S. and in countries like Italy, France, Mexico and even Japan, where they have shown their competitiveness and class. Venezuela is the second country after the Dominican Republic with the most players in the U.S. Major Leagues.
In Venezuela, the professional baseball season starts in the middle of October and ends in the last week of February.
Recent Feats of Venezuelan Ballplayers in the Major Leagues:
- In the 2011 season, left fielder Gerardo Parra of the Arizona Diamondbacks became the fifth Venezuelan to win a Golden Glove for his performance in the major leagues.
- Pitcher Felix Hernandez was chosen to receive the Cy Yong Award, hence becoming the best pitcher in the American League in 2010.
- In 2010, Venezuela Heritage Night was celebrated at the major leagues the first time, an event held at Citi Field in New York, where the Mets beat the Detroit Tigers.
- Venezuelan shortstop Omar Vizquel made major league history in 2010 by hitting the ball 2,674 times and beating a record achieved by also Venezuelan Luis Aparicio in the Hall of Fame.
- In 2010, Manuel Gonzalez became the first Venezuelan umpire in the major leagues. Gonzalez made history when he debuted on third base in a game of the Florida Marlins versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Johan Santana named the best pitcher in effectiveness in more innings during the 2008 season.
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Miguel Cabrera named champion home run hitter during the 2008 season.
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Magglio Ordoñez won the American League’s batting title in 2007 with a batting average of .363.
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In 2008, four Venezuelan ballplayers participated in the All-Star Game, where special homage was paid the Venezuela’s only Hall of Fame inductee — Luis Aparicio.
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In 2008 Bobby Abreu stole his 300th base, becoming the twelfth player since 1950 to accumulate 400 doubles, 200 home runs and 300 bases stolen in his career.
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Omar Vizquel became the shortstop with the most appearances and double-plays in the history of the Major Leagues in the 2008 season.
Our Stars in the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Washington, D.C.
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The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has collected signed jerseys from a number of Venezuelan players, including Magglio Ordoñez, Carlos Guillén, Bobby Abreu, Wilfredo Ledezma, Omar Infante, Antonio Armas Jr., Melvin Mora, Miguel Cabrera and Ramón Hernández. Those players, along with all that have played in the Major Leagues, serve as a valuable reminder of the many links between Venezuela, the U.S. and many other countries. This area also has bats and balls signed by famous Venezuelan players in the MLB.
Did You Know That in the Major Leagues…
- 270 Venezuelans have played in the Major League from 1939 to 2011?
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60 Venezuelans stayed active through the 20011 season?
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Since 1939, 270 Venezuelans have played in the Major Leagues?
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In 2006 and 2008, 18 Venezuelans debuted in the Major Leagues, a record number for Venezuela?
Venezuelan Players in the Major Leagues Through October 2008
Magglio Ordoñez
Source: Major League Baseball
- Omar Vizquel
- Miguel Cairo
- Bobby Abreu
- Kelvim Escobar
- Henry Blanco
- Magglio Ordóñez
- Álex González.
- Carlos Guillen.
- Freddy García
- Melvin Mora
- Liu Rodríguez
- Ramón Hernández
- Wiki González
- Johan Santana
- Luis Rivas
- Endy Chávez
Omar Vizquel
Source: ABN
- Juan Rincón
- César Izturis
- Carlos Zambrano
- Juan Rivera
- Yorvit Torrealba
- Carlos Silva
- Óscar Salazar
- Marco Scutaro
- Omar Infante
- Víctor Martínez
- Francisco Rodríguez
- Wilfredo Ledezma
- José Miguel Cabrera
- Rafael Betancourt
- Humberto Quintero
- José Castillo
- José Celestino López
- Maicer Izturis
- Guillermo Quiroz
- Luis Rodríguez
- Félix Hernández
- Franklin Gutiérrez
- Martín Prado
- Yusmeiro Pettit
Francisco Rodriguez
Source: RNV
- Renyel Pinto
- Edward Mujica
- Aníbal Sánchez
- Alberto Callaspo
- Miguel Montero
- Gustavo Molina
- Jesús Flores
- Guillermo Rodríguez
- Asdrubal Cabrera
- Franklin Morales
- Alberto González
- Armando Galarraga
- Gregor Blanco
- Alex Romero
- Luis Maza
- Gregorio Petit
- Carlos González
- Maximiliano Ramirez
- Ivan Ochoa
- Pablo Sandoval
- Ramon Ramirez
- Luis Valbuena
- Alcides Escobar
- José Mijares
- Jesús Delgado
- Francisco Cervelli.
Aníbal Sanchez
Source: RNV
Other Sports of Interest:
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Football: “Soccer,” as it is called in the United States, was played in Venezuela before baseball became a national pastime. Soccer is practiced with dedication and a professional league exists, although it is not played with the fanaticism that exists with baseball. Nevertheless, in recent years Venezuela’s national team, known as “La Vinotinto” for the color of their jerseys, has improved its performance and played well on the international level.
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Volleyball: As a national sport, volleyball has become more and more popular in recent years. The Venezuelan national team has managed to win high-caliber international competitions, such as the 2003 Pan-American Games, where it received a Gold Medal.
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Basketball: After baseball, basketball is the most widely played sport in Venezuela’s cities and towns. Almost every neighborhood and town has their own basketball courts, where children and youth alike spend a large part of their free time. A number of Venezuelans have played internationally.
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Fishing: Along the coasts of the central seaboard in Venezuela one can find the best places on earth for the fishing a variety of swordfish. Fish can be caught throughout the year. One of the greater paradises of fishing is located in “El Placer,” some 12 nautical miles of the central Venezuela coast. It is one of the places most visited by fishermen from all the corners of the world.
If you want to know more about the sports in our country, visit here. If you want to know more about on our athletes, visit here.
