Dominican baseball player Carlos Marmol looks for bounce back year, and farms in the Dominican Republic

Carlos Marmol had an off year last season.  After a huge 2010, when he averaged 15.99 K/9 innings, the Dominican Baseball anointed Carlos Marmol best closer in baseball.  But last season he led the MLB in blown saves with 10.

Marmol is looking to rebound, and spent the off-season working on his farms in the Dominican Republic.  Marmol has been around farms his whole life, and went into the business professionally with his brother a few years ago.  Together they own three farms in the Dominican Republic, 700 head of cattle, as well as horses and chickens.  They sell beef and milk, chicken and eggs, and horses throughout the Dominican Republic.

Farming and ranching is perhaps one of the biggest industries in the Dominican Republic.  Virtually all the beef, milk, chicken and eggs, as well as most of the produce, consumed in the country is sourced locally.  This is due, like most of the problems in the country, to lack of infrastructure and an underdeveloped economy.  It is easier to bring the goods to market if they close.  The roads and ports make it difficult to import large amounts of food items, and if international companies cannot import large amounts of goods, it is not worth it to them.

The new age struggle of processed and prepared foods versus locally sourced foods is not even an issue in the Dominican Republic, because the infrastructure is not there to import large amounts of cheap goods.  The Dominican consumer get hurts because they have have almost no options in regards to fresh food.  Non-nonperishable items are imported in large scale and are readily available, especially in the capital and Santiago.

And so it goes.  The process of growing an economy is a complex process.  I am just the Dominican Baseball Guy, and I am not schooled in macro-economics.  But what I know is that developing countries lack basic infrastructure like electricity and roads, and businesses and schools cannot develop without these infrastructural elements.

The Dominican Baseball Guy is also, not in any way, blaming Carlos Marmol or other Dominican farmers for anything.  The people need these food items, and the local farmers are the ones that must provide them at this point.  So saludos to Carlos Marmol and his brother.  The Dominican Baseball Guy wishes them all the best with their three farms in the Dominican Republic.  Carlos is from Bonao, Dominican Republic.

Dominican baseball player Carlos Marmol owns several farms in the Dominican Republic,
photo by Phil Roeder on Flickr

Astros have program to teach Latin players English, Astros tiene programa del ingles por peloteros Latinos

Like a number of MLB teams, the Astros have a program in place to help Latin players learn English and adjust to life in a new country.  Doris Gonzalez is the Astros coordinator of player acculturation and language development.  She works with Latin baseball players, but also Asian players.

The Astros are probably doing a better job than most teams at player acculturation and language development. Well, first they have someone tasked at directing this part of the organization.  Like most teams, they are offering language lessons at spring training.  But the Astros take it further, and give their minor league players these development opportunities throughout the season at every level.

New Astros general manger Jeff Luhnow was born in Mexico and is bilingual, so he has made this a major point of emphasis in the new look Astros plan.  He got the team together at spring training and had some veteran players talk about the importance of learning English and the culture of the United States.  Panamanian Carlos Lee talked about business opportunities that may not be available for players that do not speak English.  Cuban Livan Hernandez also spoke.

The Astros have some young Dominicans that will benefit from these cultural development programs.  Jimmy Paredes (Haina, Dominican Republic) and Fernando Abad (La Romana, DR) are two of the young Dominicans projected to be major contributors for the Astros this year.

Dominican closer Jose Valverde on long saves streak, Lanzador Dominicano Jose Valverde jugando bueno

Jose Valverde is known for his crazy antics on the mound.  A converted save opportunity is usually followed by wild legs kicks, squats, and yelling at the sky.  His nickname is "Papa Grande" and Valverde has converted 51 strait save chances over the last two years.  The record is 84 strait saves, set by Eric Gagne.

The Dominican Baseball Guy has been following Valverde since he first broke into the big leagues with the Diamondbacks.  He has saved over 40 games with the Diamondbacks, the Astros, and now the Tigers.

Valverde's crazy personality on the mound is genuine.  His friends say he likes things loud and fast, whether on the field or off the field.  He drives fast cars and listens to the music loud.

Jose says it is a long way to get to the save streak record, but he is going to try.  Jose is from the great baseball city of San Pedro de Macoris, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Jose Valverde at Spring Training 2011,
by lakelandlocal on Flickr

Best things about Dominican culture, Dominican baseball player Nelson Cruz shares his top 5, Las mejores cosas de la cultura Dominicana

A recent Rangers update from T.R. Sullivan spotlighted Nelson Cruz and his favorite things about Dominican culture.  Since the Dominican Baseball Guy is a cultural anthropologist this was a huge story for everyone at the Dominican Baseball Guy world headquarters.  Cultural studies, Dominican baseball, and Nelson Cruz are three of the Dominican Baseball Guy's favorite things in the world.

So here is Nelson Cruz's favorite things about Dominican culture:

1. Carnaval
2. Winter Ball
3. Beaches 
4. People 
5. Food

So, Carnaval is big in lots of Latin American and Catholic countries, and Cruz says they party every Sunday in January.  Everyone that follows the Dominican Baseball Guy knows that winter baseball is big down there.  Most people know the beaches, and Cruz says they are nice in the north and the south.  The people, Cruz says, are friendly.  The food, Cruz says eat rice and beans, chicken and pork, plaintains and soup, and fruits like mango.

And, the Dominican Baseball Guy has never been to any of the Carnaval parties in the Dominican Republic.  Everyone that follows the Dominican Baseball Guy knows that winter baseball is big down there.  The Dominican Baseball Guy has never been to a Dominican beach, but hears they are nice in the north and the south.  The people, the Dominican Baseball Guy says be careful because there can be some swindlers down there.  And the food, the Dominican Baseball Guy concurs with Nelson Cruz, eat chicken, arroz, y habichuelas, throw in some mangu and mofongo, and the soncocho soup is awesome stuff.

Dominican baseball player Nelson Cruz is from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.

What are your favorite things about Dominican culture? Favorite beaches? Favorite foods?

Dominican baseball player Nelson Cruz plays with the Rangers,
by Keith Allison on Flickr

Manny Ramriez hits multiple home runs, Dominicano Manny Ramirez llega en Oakland

Well, he did hit multiple home runs in his first batting practice with the A's.  You can call the Dominican Baseball Guy the Manny Ramirez Guy if you so choose, because he is the most blogged about player in the history of the Dominican Baseball Guy blog.  Manny Ramirez is one of the main reasons the Dominican Baseball Guy first started following Dominican baseball so closely.

The Dominican Baseball Guy said that Manny Ramirez was going to be signed in his last post on Ramirez: MLB team to sign Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez? Pelotero Dominicano va a jugar en MLB este año?  And that is what happened.  The A's signed Manny to a one year deal.  He will have to serve the 100 game suspension he is due, for failing a second drug test.  He will serve that in the minor leagues.

Ramirez arrived at A's camp and promptly hit seven home runs in his first batting practice.  Ramirez says that he wants to show his kids and family that you can change and correct a mistake.  He also said God opened this door back up for him and he had to take it.

The Dominican Baseball Guy obviously loves Manny Ramirez, BUT I think he is done.  It is a no lose for the A's though.  He comes cheap.  He will sell minor league tickets and big league tickets.  Maybe he becomes trade bait toward the end of the season, because if he is not on a contender, he honestly is not much use.  He could pinch hit or DH some.

The Dominican Baseball Guy predicts maybe 10 home runs and 40 RBI, as he will only be able to play 62 games.  He could tear up the Pacific Coast League though.

Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez is from the capital, Santo Domingo.

Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez in his last year in MLB,
by pvsbond on Flickr

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols arrives at Spring Training, Pujols llega para "Spring Training"

The great Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols arrived at Angels camp Monday.  He arrived at spring training on the first day with pitchers and catchers.  ESPN outside the lines ran a feature story on their mid-day broadcast.

Pujols met his new teammates, made some comments to the media, and got a workout in.  It is a big change for Pujols.  He is leaving behind a great network in Saint Louis that included family and friends, his non-profit organization The Pujols Family Foundation, and a legion of the best fans in baseball. 

Albert is excited and hopeful about the move.  "I can't go back and feel sorry. Now, it's time to move on," Pujols said. "That was an old chapter in my life. Now, it's time to open a new one."

The Angels are looking to return to form and challenge the Rangers out west this season.  They spent over $350 million this off-season.  Albert says the whole goal of everyone in the Angels organization is to win the World Series.

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols is from Santo Dominigo, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols, by Leoraul Torres on Flickr

Dominican baseball player Hanley Ramirez takes his first action at third base for the Marlins, Hanley Ramirez juega tercer base por Marlins

Spring training is getting under way, and apparently the thing to do down around the Marlins campl in Jupiter, Florida was to write about Hanley Ramirez and his move to third base.  Granted, it is by far the most intriguing story for the Miami Marlins thus far.

The Boston Harold put out an article (Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez gets going at third base), as did the the Sun Sentinel (Hanley Ramirez acquaints himself with third base), and even Sports Illustrated covered the story (Ramirez's move to third base may be smoother than expected).

Of course, the reason that this is a story is because the Marlins signed Jose Reyes this past off-season.  Jose Reyes is clearly the better fielding short stop, so Hanley has been tasked with moving to third.

At first, reports were that Ramirez was unhappy and wanted to stay at short stop.  But he has rebuked these claims and Hanley Ramirez says he is happy to play third base for the Miami Marlins.  He made this clear through his twitter account in the last few days too: http://twitter.com/hanleyramirez.

By all accounts he is happily making the transition, and just wants to win.  Manager Ozzie Guillen is probably making the move easier too, by downplaying the severity of such a move and deflecting any possible problems. He is basically coming up with all the reasons the move is great, and hoping that the media (and Hanley) will latch on to one of those positives motives/outcomes.

The Dominican Baseball Guy thinks the move will be great, and Hanley will return to MVP form after a slump and injuries last season.  Hanley is from Samana, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Hanley Ramirez, by SD Dirk on Flick

Dominican baseball player Alexi Casilla and Twins agree to deal, Alexi Casilla frima con Twins por un ano

The Dominican Baseball Guy has been following Alexi Casilla since he first cracked the big leagues.  Casilla was playing for the Gigantes del Cibao on the Dominican Baseball Guy's first trip to the Dominican Republic to see the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) in 2009.  The Dominican Baseball Guy got some video of him during a delay at one of the Gigantes home games in San Francisco de Macoris:


He has played with the Gigantes in the LIDOM every year since.  This year he hit .336 for the Gigantes in 31 games, and .396 in 17 playoff games.

Casilla has been a solid contributor for the Twins, since breaking into the big league club in 2006.  He has averaged around .250 and 90 games over the last five years, filling in at short stop or second based, or DHing some.

His value is as a fielder.  One of the best the Dominican Baseball Guy has ever seen live.  Super soft hands, decent arm, fast.  It really shows how good a player is when you see him playing with or against guys that are not as talented, which sometimes happens in the LIDOM.

The Twins avoided arbitration and signed Alexi Casilla to a one year deal.  Alexi Casilla is from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

Dodgers Tommy Lasorda gets a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, Tommy Lasorda tiene estatua in Salon de Fama de Beisbol Latino

Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda recently got a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame in La Romana, Dominican Republic.  See the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame website here: http://www.salondelafamadelbeisbollatino.com/.

Lasorda is well known in baseball circles as being friendly to Latin players and a huge fan of Latin baseball.  He was a founding member of the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, so it is natural that they gave him a statue.  Lasorda's  most significant contribution to Latin baseball is probably the 1973 Caribbean Series, in which he led Tigres del Licey to the title.  The team set a mark for the best record ever in the series at 5-1.

He now serves as the Latino Hall of Fame's Goodwill Abasodor and is a Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Dodgers.  He has been with the Dodgers for six decades.

Tommy Lasorda in 2010 Spring Training appearance with the Dodgers, by SD Dirk on Flickr

Braves minor leaguer Jairo Asencio Most Valuable Player in Caribbean Series, Jugador Mas Valioso de la Serie Caribe

Atlanta braves minor league player and Dominican Republic native Jairo Ascencio was named the most valuable player of the 2012 version of the Caribbean Series, or Serie del Caribe for the Dominican Baseball Guy's Spanish speaking friends.  He actually played in six games with the big league club last season, but spent most of the year Gwinnet Braves, the AAA affiliate of the Braves.  See the recap from ESPN Deportes or from Diario Libre a Dominican daily.

He has been a closer for the last three years in the minors and served that role for the Dominican team in the Caribbean Series.  In a twist only seen in winter baseball, Asencio actually played for the Toros in the regular season this year in the Dominican Winter Baseball League.  He was called in as a "reinforcement" for the Dominican team represented by LIDOM champion Escogido.  

The teams from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela all do the same thing: stck their domestic league champion with "reinforcements" of the top players from the losing teams.

So, Jairo Asencio was picked up as a "reinforcement" and stepped right into the closer's role for Escogido and the Dominican Republic team.  He was 3-3 in save chances and didn't allow a hit in three innings.  For that he was the Jugador mas Valioso de la Serie Caribe 2012, or MVP of the Caribbean Series.  The Dominican Baseball Guy knows it is not much of a sample, but hey it's the Caribbean Series they only play six games.

It is a touching story for the young pitcher.  Asencio's mother died last year, so he was happy, but disappointed that she could not see it.  Said the closer:

“Estoy feliz por la distinción, pero hay un espacio que estuviera lleno si mi madre estuviera viva”, expuso el joven jugador.

And for the Dominican Baseball Guy's English speaking friends that is, "I am happy for the distinction, but the is always an empty space in my heart where my mother was."

Jairo Ascencio is from Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican Republic.  From his statistics and this performance it looks like he could be pushing for a spot on the big league roster next year.

But the Dominican Baseball Guy knows little to nothing about the Braves farm system.  Any Atlanta Braves fans out there to comment?

Jairo Ascencio receives the Caribbean Series MVP trophy, photo by Victor Perez