Wilson Ramos, an up and coming catcher for the Washington Nationals, was kidnapped in his hometown of Venezuela by gunmen Wednesday night.
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24-year-old Ramos just finished his rookie season and was taken away in an SUV by four armed men in Santa Ines in central Carabobo state.
Police did however find the kidnappers’ vehicle abandoned in a nearby town said Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami.
Katherine Vilera, a spokeswoman for his Venezuelan League team, the Aragua Tigers, said on her Twitter account:
“This is sad, worrisome and true that Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped.”
She said Ramos was taken at 6:45 p.m. at his home in the region 95 miles west of Caracas. According to the Associated Press a person close to Ramos’ family, who asked not to be quoted by name out of safety concerns, said the catcher was at home with his father and brothers when several men “entered the house and took him away.”
“As of this hour, there has been no contact” between the kidnappers and Ramos’ family, the person said.
**UPDATE**
NBC Sports reported on Thursday afternoon that Venezuelan authorities say Ramos is still alive. And the Washington Nationals organization released a statement saying the following-
“Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time. Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment.“
Ramos is considered one of the Nationals’ key young players as they try to become a contender in the National League East. As a rookie in 2011, he hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in 113 games. He also threw out 19 of 67 runners attempting to steal a base, a 28 percent success rate that ranked third among qualifying catchers in the National League.
Washington acquired Ramos from the Minnesota Twins in a trade for All-Star relief pitcher Matt Capps in July 2010.
The abduction appeared to be the first case involving a Major League Baseball player.
But in Venezuela, which is home to dozens of major league players, the families of wealthy athletes have been periodically targeted by kidnappers in hopes of a hefty ransom.
We hope Ramos comes out of this horrific situation safe and sound, we will keep you updated on any further developments.
SOURCE: AP
