BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: AP: Chavez defends Ordonez

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, March 15, 2009

AP: Chavez defends Ordonez

CARACAS, Venezuela—President Hugo Chavez came to the defense of Magglio Ordonez on Sunday, slamming Venezuelan baseball fans who booed the major leaguer at the World Baseball Classic.

Chavez lamented that his friendship with Ordonez prompted catcalls from the mostly Venezuelan crowd during the team’s 3-1 victory over the Netherlands in Miami on Saturday, saying the fans who booed the Detroit Tigers slugger “have no shame.”

“Everyone has the right to think about politics,” Chavez said after reading an article about the incident from The Associated Press. “This is shameful.

“Viva Magglio, and all our patriots!” Chavez added.

Ordonez, one of Venezuela’s biggest baseball stars, appeared in a television ad last month supporting a proposal by Chavez to eliminate term limits for the president and other elected officials through a constitutional amendment. Voters approved the proposal in a Feb. 15 referendum.

The outfielder also joined the socialist for a friendly softball game ahead of the vote, but Chavez denied Sunday that the match—billed on state television as “The Amendment Cup”—was a political event.

“It wasn’t political campaign,” Chavez said.

Tripon Posted: March 15, 2009 at 07:37 PM | 12 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: history, international, media, special topics

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. Bitter Calculus Instructor Posted: March 15, 2009 at 08:22 PM (#3103777)

When I saw the title I was thinking Endy Chavez. This just adds more fuel to the fire.

2. bookbook Posted: March 15, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3103779)

I thought it was Eric Chavez and Rey Ordonez. Would have been more interesting.

3. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 15, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3103783)

I thought it was Cesar Chavez defending this restaurant's employment policies.

4. Downtown Bookie

Posted: March 15, 2009 at 08:52 PM (#3103812)

I thought the title referred to this case

5. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: March 15, 2009 at 09:00 PM (#3103819)

Chavez denied Sunday that the match—billed on state television as “The Amendment Cup”—was a political event.

Maybe Chavez is entering the jockstrap business...

6. JRVJ (formerly Delta Socrates) Posted: March 15, 2009 at 10:18 PM (#3103900)

I'm very anti-Hugo Chavez, so do take what I say with a grain of salt.

On the one hand, I think that since Ordoñez got involved in politics (which he did, by supporting Chavez's reelection referendum), he becomes fair game for criticism of a political nature.

OTOH, Magglio was not playing for the Magglio Ordoñez Chavista all-stars. He was playing for Venezuela the country, which includes all Venezuelans, so criticizing him for political reasons is (in some ways) to criticize the country.

I probably would not have criticized Ordoñez while wearing the Venezuela uniform, but would have probably been right outside the locker rooms to boo him when he came out in mufti.

7. CFiJ Posted: March 16, 2009 at 12:03 AM (#3103966)

Ordonez, one of Venezuela’s biggest baseball stars, appeared in a television ad last month supporting a proposal by Chavez to eliminate term limits for the president and other elected officials through a constitutional amendment. Voters approved the proposal in a Feb. 15 referendum.

Now see, this here, IMO is absolutely insane. Forget about Chavez, or any other real world leader right now, just in the abstract it's insane. Term limits are our friends.

8. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: March 16, 2009 at 12:16 AM (#3103987)

One of the many limitations we rightfully place on that beast we call democracy.

Not that Chavez has purity as a "democrat" in any case, given that the national police acted as an extension of his campaign.

9. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 16, 2009 at 12:26 AM (#3103994)

Chavez defending Ordonez is like Bush endorsing McCain - it's just not going to help.

10. Craig Calcaterra Posted: March 16, 2009 at 02:00 AM (#3104124)

Term limits are our friends. One of the many limitations we rightfully place on that beast we call democracy.

Term limits are complicated. They seem very necessary in the case of guys like Chavez and Watchmen-universe Richard Nixon. Then you see what happens when you place them on state legislatures like we have done here in Ohio. Short version: they're chaos and corruption generators. Every single member of the General Assembly is on the make for his next job. No member of the General Assembly has any interest in passing legislation that will help in the long term. There is darn little institutional frickin' memory. The lobbyists own everyone.

So yeah, they're probably right for a chief executive, but otherwise, I gotta say I hate 'em.

11. 47YOUNEVERKNOW47 Posted: March 16, 2009 at 03:12 AM (#3104219)

I have a Venezuelan baseball card of Hugo Chavez pitching to Sammy Sosa.

Ahh, here it is. You can have one, too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-Venezuela-Lineup-343-SAMMY-SOSA-HUGO-CHAVEZ_W0QQitemZ220204751312QQihZ012QQcategoryZ56117QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

12. StillFlash Posted: March 16, 2009 at 06:24 AM (#3104361)

Everyone is free to think about politics, as long as they don't disagree with El Presidente

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Sunday, March 15, 2009

AP: Chavez defends Ordonez

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

Bookmarks

Hot Topics