Nevermind Simón Bolívar or Hugo Chavez, let’s talk about El Gran Gato!
Here’s a starting line-up of active major leaguers who hail from the South American country of Venezuela. This country of approx 29 Million has produced some of the best performing and highest paid major league baseball players in the history of the game in the USA.
C – Victor Martinez 2004, 2007 All-Star
1B – Carlos Guillen 2004, 2007, 2008 All-Star
2B – Jose Lopez 2006 All-Star
ss – Omar Vizquel 11-time Gold Glove Short Stop, 3-time All-Star
3B – Miguel Cabrera 2008 AL Home-run and Total Base Leader
LF – Magglio Ordonez 6-time All-Star, 2007 AL Batting Champ (.363)
CF – Endy Chavez “The Catch”
RF – Bobby Abreu 2004, 2005 All-Star, 2005 Gold Glove Winner
SP – Johan Santana 3-time All Star, 2-time Cy Young (2006 Triple Crown), 2007 Gold Glove
PITCHING STAFF
SP – Felix Hernandez Youngest Player in Baseball in 2005, 2006 (April 8, 1986)
SP – Carlos Zambrano 3-time All-Star, 2009 Salary: $18.7 Million!
SP – Kelvim Escobar 2002 – 38 Saves, 2007 – 18 Wins
SP – Carlos Silva Set the Record for Fewest Pitches thrown in 9-inning Complete Game (74)
P – Anibal Sanchez No-hitter in 13th career start
RP – Francisco ‘K-Rod’ Rodriguez 3-time All-Star, MLB Single Season record for saves (62)
Notable Mention: Cesar Izturis 2004 NL Gold Glove, 2008 All Star Catcher Dioner Navarro, 2-time All Star Infielder Melvin Mora
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