Friday, November 11, 2011

Wilson Ramos safe; Nationals catcher rescued after kidnapping

Wilson Ramos safe; Nationals catcher rescued after kidnapping

Thank goodness Wilson Ramos is OK.

About 50 hours after gunmen in his native Venezuela kidnapped Ramos, the Washington Nationals 24-year-old catcher, he was rescued and reportedly on his way back to his family. Check out a stunning (if a little blurry) photo of Ramos wearing a bullet-proof vest as authorities bring him home. Wow.

Reporter Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post spoke with Ramos' agent, Gustavo Mercano, who said Venezuela's Interior Minister personally called the family with the news:

Ramos was freed in the mountains of Montalban in the state of Carabobo in central Venezuela, said the government's Communications Minister, Andres Izarra. The area is roughly 40 miles northwest of Valencia, where four gunmen abducted him Wednesday evening.

"It's a special moment for his family," Mercano said. "We're all happy. We're grateful."

In the background over the phone, Ramos's family could be heard chanting, "Wil-son! Wil-son!"

Even though the Nationals are expected to be active in the free agent market this offseason, I can't imagine them getting better news. Even if Ramos weren't one of the better young players in the majors ? especially at his position ? he's one of the family there. Here's a statement from Nats' GM Mike Rizzo.

For updates and more details, use Twitter to follow @rafaelrojasc, who has been on this story from the start.

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