Wilson Ramos Kidnapped

Wilson Ramos, Nationals catcher , have been kidnapped from his home country in Venezuela.

Ramos, 24, appeared to be contacted by four armed men around his residence in Santa Ines, Wednesday night, and brought away in a vehicle, reported by El Nacional, Venezuelan newspaper.

Ramos’ Venezuelan winter league group, Tigres de Aragua, also has verified the kidnapping with Twitter.

“This is sad, worrisome and true that Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped,” Katherine Vilera, team spokeswoman, said through Twitter.
Based on the Associated Press, judicial law enforcement officials in Venezuela stated the gunmen came into Ramos’ residence.

The Nationals haven’t released any official report about the kidnapping.

Many Major league baseball players, like Nationals pitchers Colin Balester and Drew Storen, together with Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and  Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino also have sent messages or worry and assistance on Twitter.

“Extremely upsetting news about Ramo. Thoughts and prayers with him. Scary situation,” Storen tweeted.

Salt Lake Police Said Jeret Peterson Committed Suicide

The police officials of Unified Police Department in Salt Lake County, Utah confirm they are investigating the death of Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, U.S. aerial freestyle skier, and said the Olympian committed a suicide last Monday night.

Peterson was found dead at around 9:30 in the evening, Monday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  It happened in a hilly location of Utah named Lambs Canyon.

Salt Lake County Unified Police said Peterson called police to inform them where he was before the suicide.

Last Friday, Peterson was arrested for speeding and driving while drunk.  The lawyer of Peterson filed paperwork on his behalf pleading not guilty to both crimes.  His lawyer was not available for comment.
Shannon Decker, family representative, said, “The family is grateful for the incredible support Jeret received during his amazing journey.  Friends and family request privacy at this time.”

Dave Bieter, Boise Mayor as well spoke regarding the death of Peterson.

He said, “This is a sad day for Boise and for all of us who admired Speedy Peterson’s accomplishments, both on the slopes and in his life.  The hundreds of kids who came to City Hall to shake Speedy’s hand after he medaled in Vancouver last year are a living testament to his power to inspire and motivate. It is truly tragic that, in the end, there was one hill he wasn’t able to conquer. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Carma Burnett knew Peterson when he was just getting going — a kid at Bogus Basin, concerned with what was then called the Bogus Basin Ski Racing Alliance.

She said, “Not only was he athletically gifted, he was charismatically gifted.  I can’t think of another Olympian that probably gave the U.S. such a warm and fuzzy feeling. He was all that. He is a treasure, and he made all of us proud. He made Idaho proud. He made the U.S. proud.”

Peterson rose to fame both locally and throughout the world on his appearances in three Winter Olympic Games, winning a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Fan Falls and Dies After Trying to Catch Tossed Ball

A fan dies at Rangers Ballpark on Thursday after catching a ball tossed to him by Josh Hamilton, Texas outfielder.  The man was reaching for a ball thrown to him by Hamilton during the second inning of the competition against Oakland and tumbled over a railing after making the catch.  Television pictures showed him failing some 20 feet from the outfield seats to a surfaced location after a scoreboard.

It is roughly a year to the day since a similar accident at Rangers Ballpark when supporter Tyler Morris fell from the second level to the lower bowl while attempting to catch a foul ball on July 6, 2010.  He experienced a fractured skull and broken ankle.

Nolan Ryan, club President said, “We are deeply saddened that the man who fell has passed away as a result of this tragic accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”  George W. Bush, Former US president, was sitting in the front row with Ryan when the accident occurred.   Ryan left moments afterward while Bush stayed in the seats.

The Rangers clubhouse was shut down after the game as the players were told of the tragedy. “We spoke to the ballclub, so they understand what happened.  As any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this.”

Ronnie Hargis was sitting in the stands following to the victim, who was at the game with his young son.  The men were talking to each other prior to the accident.  “He went straight down.  I tried to grab him but I couldn’t.  I tried to slow him down a little bit.”

The daughter of Hargis said the head of the victim was bleeding badly. Safawna Dunn, who was sitting behind the victim, said he seemed to have injuries to both arms and was conscious when taken on a stretcher.  Dunn said, “Josh Hamilton tried to throw [the ball] up to the guy because they were yelling for the ball.”

Ryan said it was too untimely to talk the two accidents and what assessments the team may create concerning railings at the stadium, Ryan said.  ”Tonight, we’re not prepared to speak about anything further than the accident and the tragedy.  That’s where I’m going to leave it.”