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Wilson Ramos of the Washington Nationals was found alive Friday after being kidnapped from his home earlier this week.
The Nationals catcher was rescued by Venezuelan commandos in a shootout and in the process were able to arrest four men who were responsible for the kidnapping. An elderly couple were also arrested for feeding and housing the kidnappers.
Authorities are searching for four men still on the loose. Ramos was taken from his home on Wednesday at gunpoint and was whisked away into a SUV.
Ramos said "It was very hard for me and it was very hard for my family" as he spoke to reporters Saturday morning.
This is the first abduction of a MLB player in Venezuela. Kidnappings of family or friends of players have taken place before with their captors looking for ransoms and two of those have been killed.
The 24-year-old impressed the Nationals so much last season he was promoted to starting catcher in his first season.
Ramos says "that the men were Colombian and they simply told me to cooperate, that they were going to ask for a ton of cash for me."
The violence in Venezuela has been growing recently and the country is considered one of the most violent in Latin America.
President Hugo Chavez had authorized the rescue for Ramos. Officials says he was briefed on the raid as it went on. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said "I am happy to announce that I have spoken directly with Wilson and he assures me he is unharmed..."
Ramos was returning home to Venezuela after his rookie season had just concluded. He like many other players were looking to participate in winter ball.
From The Sports Mind Of RB:
Bodyguards usually follow players around when they head back home but this is getting out of control. Before kidnappers would take family members now they are grabbing players instead. President Hugo Chavez better start beefing up security or some of these players and major league officials are going to think twice about heading to Venezuela. Even Florida Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez has decided not to go back yet.
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