Catcher Wilson Ramos is taking his talents to the Motor City, signing a one year, $2 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. Fans will appreciate the fact that Ramos is a two-time All-Star, as well as the recipient of a Silver Slugger award.
But something that Tigers fans may not be familiar with is a frightening incident that took place in his native country of Venezuela.
In November of 2011 while playing for his Tigres de Aragua, he was kidnapped at gunpoint from his mother’s home and held for ransom before being rescued three days later following a harrowing gunfight between the kidnappers and Venezuelan commandos.
“That was a tough situation over there, that was really crazy,” Ramos said Monday, in his introductory press conference with Detroit media. “Especially when I got rescued.
“Days after I got rescued, it was tough to go out of my house. Everything I heard during my sleep made me scared. That was really tough. I just want to say thank God I came back with my family.
“I’ve already turned the page. I feel happy.”
As far as playing with his new teammates is concerned, Ramos intends to “be on the same page” with the pitching staff as he’s done while playing with other teams.
“The first thing I want is to get a good communication with them and be on the same page. I did it in the past with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets,” he said. “I know how to handle that.”
– – Quotes via Tony Paul of The Detroit News Link – –
BONUS CONTENT
Magic Johnson welcomes Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles
There’s a new star in Hollywood, and his name is Matthew Stafford.
The former Detroit Lions quarterback was traded to the Los Angeles Rams late last night in exchange for Jared Goff and a bevy of draft selections.
And one of the biggest icons of Los Angeles sports, who happens to have a local connection, is rolling out the welcome mat.
Former Michigan State Spartan and Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson welcomed Stafford to Hollywood after the news of the trade broke:
I want to welcome Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles and the LA Rams!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 31, 2021
How will Stafford handle the limelight of his new home?
