Mourning Halladay and Flores while looking ahead to Monterrey

By César Augusto Márquez

The week after embracing the Houston Astros’ first World Series championship, baseball mourned the passing of pitching legend Roy “Doc” Halladay and Red Sox catching prospect Daniel Flores. There were also reasons to celebrate as Rawlings handed out its 2017 Gold Gloves and Wilson named its defensive players of the year. And today, Major League Baseball is expected to announce three games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in Monterrey on May 4-6, the first of six series in Mexico over the next four years.

Farewell, Doc

Halladay, 40, was killed in an accident when a small plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. A two-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, he pitched 12 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays and four for the Philadelphia Phillies, retiring with a 203-105 record and a 131 ERA+, tied for 37th all-time with four other pitchers — Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Dizzy Dean, closer Roberto Hernández and current Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg.

As the numbers suggest, Halladay was one of the best in the game, a consummate professional known for his workouts and preparation. He is famously remembered for his first season with the Phillies in 2010, when he authored a perfect game followed by a no-hitter in the playoffs. Halladay will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019. Former teammates, including Vladimir Guerrero, posted their condolences.

A life too short

Flores had big dreams. He wanted to play 15 to 20 years, make it to the Hall of Fame, and provide for his mother and sister. And why not? Scouts were comparing him to a fellow Venezuelan, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Pérez, a five-time All-Star. But four months after the Red Sox gave him a $3.1 million signing bonus, Flores was diagnosed with cancer, passing away on Wednesday at age 17 without playing a single professional game.

It was a life too short. Players across the spectrum, from the Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo, himself a cancer survivor, to another young Venezuelan prospect, New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres, said goodbye via social media.

Golden defenders and Silver sluggers

As we’ve seen over the years, Latinos know how to flash leather. Eight were rewarded last week for their handiwork in the field when Rawlings announced its 2017 Gold Gloves: Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer, Atlanta Braves centerfielder Ender Inciarte, Miami Marlins leftfielder Marcell Ozuna, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, Anaheim Angels catcher Martín “Machete” Maldonado and shortstop Andrelton Simmons, and Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.

Wilson, which established its awards in 2012, names one player per position plus a team and the defensive player of the year. Included in this season’s honor roll were Maldonado, Hosmer, Stroman, Simmons and Arenado, as well as Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers, who got shut out in the Gold Glove voting, were named the defensive team of the year, while Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton was crowned defensive player of the year.

The Silver Slugger Awards go to the top hitters at each position in each league. To no one’s surprise, Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve won his fourth Silver Slugger Award, leading a parade of nine Latinos that included Hosmer, Arenado, Ozuna, Astros centerfielder George Springer, New York Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez, Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman José Ramírez, and Seattle Mariners DH Nelson Cruz.

High-powered pals

Altuve and the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera share much in common. They are two superstars from Venezuela who have won multiple batting titles and have received the Luis Aparicio Award, handed out each season to the best major leaguer from their country.

Altuve and Cabrera are also close friends, sharing lunch with their “bros.” It was a big week for Altuve, who dominated the 26th annual Players Choice Awards. He was voted by his peers as baseball’s Player of the Year as well as the American League Most Outstanding Player. Altuve hopes to join Miggy as the only Venezuelans to be named MVP, which will be announced on Thursday.

Altuve also reached out to an injured superstar in another sport. J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans tweeted images of a hand-written note and gift from Altuve thanking Watt for his hard work in Houston after Hurricane Harvey.

Cookie on the go

After a stellar summer, Indians starter Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco officially started his offseason. Carrasco, who went 18-6 with a 3.29 ERA, left on Saturday for a well-earned vacation to India with his wife, Karelis.

Getting a head start

While some players take a deserved rest, others, like Minnesota Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar and Rays catcher Wilson Ramos stick around and start right in on winter training.

On Friday, Ramos celebrated the anniversary of his rescue after being kidnapped at gunpoint in Venezuela six years ago. “Thanks to the Lord. It’s a birthday for me,” he said.

Monterrey or bust!

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers and the Padres will play a three-game series in Monterrey on May 4-6 as part of an ambitious initiative by MLB to showcase the sport outside the United States and Canada during the next four years. Already announced, though yet to be confirmed after Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico, is a two-game series in San Juan between the Indians and the Twins on April 17-18.

Not surprisingly, the super fan club Pantone 294 is already making plans to take over the Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey, the largest ballpark in country, seating 27,000 fans. It will be the first regular-season games in Mexico since the Padres and the Colorado Rockies opened the 1999 season in Monterrey.

Featured Image: Vladimir Guerrero Twitter