Cubs, Astros and Marc Anthony take time for pre-spring flings

By César Augusto Márquez

January is the last full month of freedom players have before reporting for spring training. Some return to their home countries, while others stay in the States to tend to hot stove activities and various team promotions. José Altuve, who has seemingly been everywhere since winning the World Series, flew back to Houston for the Astros FanFest, while Javy Báez left his home in Florida for frigid Chicago and the Cubs Convention. Meanwhile, Dellin Betances and Gary Sánchez went back to the Dominican Republic to support Nelson Cruz in a noble cause.

Windy City snub

Despite the polar weather, thousands of fans attended the 2018 Cubs Convention in Chicago. While the team brought in a couple dozen legends as well as many current players, one former star who wasn’t invited was Slammin’ Sammy Sosa. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said Sosa — who played 13 seasons and hit 545 of his 609 home runs with the club — is not welcome until he talks openly about the Steroid Era.

“Players from that era owe us a little bit of honesty,” Ricketts said. “The only way to turn that page is to put everything on the table.”

Among the players present were Javy “El Mago” Báez, Venezuelan catcher Willson Contreras, and his new backup, 24-year-old Víctor Caratini from Puerto Rico, a rookie who played in 31 games last season. Together with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber and others, they signed autographs, posed for pictures, hammed it up with kids and rewarded their fans for braving the cold.

Giving his all, even in the offseason

As usual, it was a busy week for José Altuve. The American League MVP — who was last seen playing chapita with his childhood buddies in Venezuela — was in Houston last week signing autographs for fans.

Altuve partied with salsa king Marc Anthony. The Nuyorican crooner heads up his own entertainment company, Magnus Media, which also represents ballplayers, including Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez. Salsa music producer Sergio George was along for the fun, as was Latin DJ Alex Sensation.

Altuve gets around, but isn’t that what makes his social media activity so fun? He made time to play tennis with former NBA star Carlos Arroyo, who is now with the Cariduros de Fajardo back home in Puerto Rico. Clearly, Altuve is a versatile guy. From his size and style of play on the diamond, we’re guessing he’s a baseliner with potent groundstrokes on the tennis court. Let’s hope he didn’t try to take on Arroyo on the hardwood.

Nelson and friends

Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz celebrated his annual Boomstick23 Foundation Baseball Clinic for youth in Las Matas de Santa Cruz, a city located in the northern region of the Dominican Republic. Cruz, along with fellow All-Stars Sánchez, Dellin Betances, Starlin Castro and Carlos Gómez, taught local kids the fundamentals of the game.

Cruz is admired for his charitable works and community outreach. He recently contributed to the construction of the town’s new police headquarters, taking part in the groundbreaking ceremonies during his visit home.

Betances and Sánchez took advantage of the trip to hook up with former Yankees teammate Castro, who was traded this winter to the Marlins. As one fan asked, Sánchez, what’s up with that beard, bro?

Air hockey terror

Who would’ve thunk? Altuve plays tennis and Francisco Lindor moonlights as an air hockey player. Mr. Smile took no prisoners while taking down a friend in this match posted on his Instagram account. He’s clearly a modern, two-way athlete.

Clubhouse burgled

Last week, before the second playoff game between Leones (Lions) del Caracas and Caribes (Caribs) de Anzoátegui, a group of teens reportedly broke into the visitors’ clubhouse and stole at least 10 pairs of shoes, gloves and an iPhone X, among other things. Caribs starter Daryl Thompson, who last played in the major leagues with the Reds in 2011, had to pitch with borrowed shoes — and he notched a 4-0 win.

In other Venezuelan winter league news, the Cardenales (Cardinals) de Lara were making quick work of the Navegantes (Mariners) de Magallanes, leading the series 3-0 as the league heads into the championship round next week.

Remembering legends

The Cangrejeros (Crabbers) de Santurce had a busy and emotional week, firing manager Max “Mako” Oliveras, then honoring Roberto Clemente and left-handed pitching legend Juan “Terín” Pizarro at Hiram Bithorn Stadium over the weekend.

Luis Roberto Clemente — the second of The Great One’s three sons — threw out the first pitch during a ceremony that included representatives of 80 Little League teams, who start play this month in Puerto Rico. It wasn’t quite a bullet from right field, but the ball arrived at home plate with a pop.

Featured Image: Willson Contreras Twitter