Pujols gives back, Caribbean Series moves and Brewers trash talk
By Andy Martinez
Pujols gives back
Former Cardinal great Albert Pujols held his annual Albert’s Basketball All-Star Game on Sunday. Pujols and other former St. Louis sports stars played with 12 young people with Down syndrome against the men’s and women’s basketball teams from Missouri Baptist University. It was a perfect night for all.
Caribbean Series moves to Panamá
The Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation announced on Monday that they were moving next month’s Caribbean Series from Venezuela to Panamá’s Rod Carew Stadium because of the political turmoil in Venezuela. The annual tournament features the winter league champions of Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Leñadores de Las Tunas (Cuba), Estrellas Orientales (Dominican Republic), Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico), Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela), Toros de Herrera (Panamá) and either Charros de Jalisco or Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón will participate in the tournament that starts on Feb. 2.
Jesús Aguilar’s favorite road city is what?
Milwaukee held its fan fest – Brewers on Deck – on Saturday. Brewers’ players and radio personalities played a game called “Brewers Besties” (think The Newlywed Game). Venezuelan Jesús Aguilar was asked his favorite road city and his “bestie” Hernán Pérez guessed it right – Chicago. Why a rival city? It has to do with last season.
Cardinals honor DR grads
The St. Louis Cardinals will celebrate nine high school graduates on Sunday. They’re not just any high school grads, though. They’re the first graduates of the Cardinals’ Dominican Republic Academy. The Cardinals expanded the course work so that those in the academy had an opportunity to receive their high school diplomas. On Sunday, Freddy de Jesus, Diego Cordero, Gustavo Rodríguez, Alexander Samuel, Franklin Soto, Luis Montano, Roy Garcia, Joerlin de los Santos and Darlyn del Villa will be in the first graduating class.
Acuña is #1 …
No really, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr really is number one. Well, Topps No. 1 baseball card that is. Topps released the winner of the fan vote to be this year’s No. 1 card, and Acuña took the top spot.
SoxFest? More like MannyFest
The White Sox held their annual SoxFest this past weekend in Chicago, and there was one person on everyone’s mind – Manny Machado. White Sox fans courted Machado. Even White Sox players were trying to entice Machado. Machado’s brother-in-law and newest White Sox member, Yonder Alonso, revealed he had a FaceTime call with Machado in which Yoan Moncada and José Abreu participated.
Pro Post of the Day
Nelson Cruz might have a new team, but he’s not changing numbers. Cruz shared this picture on his Twitter with his new uniform. That’s especially good news for his Boomstick23 organization.
Fan Post of the Day
Fan fests give fanaticos the unique opportunity to meet their favorite team’s stars. It’s even more special for the kids who grow up watching peloteros as they have the chance to meet their favorite players. Like this girl who met her favorite player, Milwaukee’s Venezuelan shortstop Orlando Arcia, at Brewers on Deck. Who started chopping onions?
Happy Birthday!
Fredi González, former Marlins and Braves manager (b. 1964).
Magglio Ordóñez, six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger with the White Sox and Tigers (b. 1974).
Tomás de la Rosa, former big league infielder with Montréal and San Francisco (b. 1978).
OTD
1958 – The San Francisco Giants trade Ozzie Virgil and Gail Harris to the Detroit Tigers for Jim Finigan and $25,000. The Dominican native, Virgil will become the first black player for the Tigers.
2002 – The Rangers sign free agent pitcher Ismael Valdéz to a one-year contract.
2010 – The Phillies sign veteran José Contreras to a one-year deal.