Why MLB Teams Are Fleeing Venezuela

The Wall Street Journal ^ | May 4, 2015 | BRIAN COSTA and EZEQUIEL MINAYA

[MinorityRepublican]

Tucked away among the tilled plots and scrubby pastures of this rural town, the Seattle Mariners’ baseball academy is mostly abandoned. The weight room has been cleared of machines. The numbered locker-room stalls are bare.

One afternoon last week, a grounds crew pulled out bases from the main field while workers packed away a few stray trophies, bats and uniforms. But the teenage prospects who shared bunks here just three weeks ago are gone, shipped off to a newer school in the Dominican Republic.

[Gay State Conservative]

Problem #1

[cripplecreek]

Venezuelan MLB Stars Seek American Citizenship

Montero is a father to two kids and said he “will request U.S. citizenship this year.” He is not the only Venezuelan player who feels this way. Felix Hernandez, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Martinez, Gregor Blanco, and Guillermo Quiroz are only a few of the other players who desire American citizenship to escape Venezuela.

[Tucker39]

You need to find out.

Remember the Big Band tune:”Anything Goes”? “In olden days a glimpse of stocking....”

When Tom Edison and his helpers were working around the clock to find a successful filament for the light bulb they made up over 200 extra verses to Mary Had a Little Lamb. One of the best was: “Mary had a bright red dress; It was too short, by half. Who gives a damn for Mary’s lamb, when they can see her calf?”

[Tonytitan]

Funky calves.

And that's a problem WHY?

[onedoug]

‘Cause my wife’s are better, and she’s...much older.

[driftdiver]

I believe that’s number 2

[Fred Hayek]

A number of engineering colleagues have left Venezuela, one winding up in Fort MacMurray. Even some technicians working for PdVSA that I had worked with were looking to get out as far back as 1999. Back then the writing was on the wall.

[rrrod]

I know what you mean. Chaves is/was exactly like obola. They stir up the crowds with anti USA and see what sticks. Ive told more than a few that those that allow that type of dictator to rule deserve what they get! No apologies.

[NormsRevenge]

venezuela .. another socialist success story.

[samtheman]

Yep. The track record for socialist governments is 100% failure.

[TBP]

Yes, some big leaguers (though these days mostly minor leaguers) still play winter ball. In fact, every year in February-March, MLB Network carries the Caribbean Series, matching the league champions from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

[TBP]

Originally a Broadway song, from Anything Goes by Cole Porter: http://www.songlyrics.com/cole-porter/anything-goes-lyrics/ In olden days a glimpse of stockings Was looked on as something shocking Now heaven knows Anything goes Good authors too who once knew better words Now only use four-letter words Writing prose Anything Goes The world has gone mad today And goods bad today And blacks white today And days night today When most guys today That women prize today Are just silly gigolos

[TBP]

Originally a Broadway song, from Anything Goes by Cole Porter:

http://www.songlyrics.com/cole-porter/anything-goes-lyrics/

In olden days a glimpse of stockings
Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows
Anything goes

Good authors too who once knew better words
Now only use four-letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today
And black's white today
And day's night today
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos

[Tucker39]

Roger, the song lyrics. Thanks. As an “Older than dirt” Big Band fan, I pretty much know the lyrics. My point was to humorously steer Mr. newfreep toward more about ladies’ calves. (Who named these body parts, anyhow, seeing that our feet are often called dogs)? Calves and dogs so close together? Anyhow that’s my reason for referring to that extra verse to Mary Had A Little Lamb, as related in the Edison Biography “A Streak of Luck”.