Mike Berardino picks up Venezuela problem

I've posted articles on baseball problems in Venezuela, not the least being unsafe playing conditions, lack of equipment, etc. As in other places, corruption is common and money designated for safe healthy activities mysteriously ends up elsewhere. Of course, Berardino has to cover the MLB, Inc. money side (to ensure his continued access to them), so he offers an opposing MLB, Inc. view saying conditions will never get that bad in Venezuela--ha ha, very funny. They already are:

• "With the recent reelection of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, major league teams are growing more wary of sending players there for winter ball or even having their Venezuelan stars visit home during the offseason. "The political climate down there is brutal," one leading international scout says, "and it's only going to get worse." A National League club official with significant experience in Venezuela insists Chavez never would follow his buddy Fidel Castro and ban Venezuelan players from coming to North America. "Baseball is too important to Chavez to do something like that," the official says. "Plus, those players bring a lot of money back to the Venezuelan economy." . . .

(This is called "fogging," it's what MLB, Inc. officials do to shut you up, and you usually do so meekly and quietly, SO THEY KEEP RIGHT ON WITH THEIR CONDESCENDING GARBAGE). sm (It's otherwise known as COMPLETE BS).

• Berardino concludes:"The latest reminder of why teams are wary of letting established players sign up for winter ball: Angels OF Juan Rivera, coming off a breakout season, broke his leg while playing in Venezuela. . . ."

From The Sporting News.com 12/31/06. P.S. Ugie Urbina, we haven't forgotten you.

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