Wild final week ends with parties, milestones and relief efforts
By César Augusto Márquez
Two Venezuelans rapped out 200 hits each in a season for the first time, players made time to relax before the playoffs — and on a more serious note, aid efforts continued for the victims of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.
Party time
Last week we saw the Indians, Astros, D-Backs and Dodgers celebrate their playoff berths. This week the party spirit found its way to the Cubs, the Rockies and the Twins, the first team in history to qualify after losing 100 games the previous season. While the Red Sox and Yankees had clinched their spots earlier in the week, the American League East Division crown was up for grabs until Saturday, with Boston prevailing with a win against the Astros.
That mission complete, Eduardo Rodríguez and Xander Bogaerts celebrated by donning brand new AL East champion t-shirts and the requisite champagne-proof goggles.
Rockies outfielder Carlos “CarGo” González didn’t disguise his utter joy. Why not? The Rockies haven’t seen the playoffs since #Rocktober of 2009, his first season with the team, and his second in the majors.
Two x 200
Last week, José Altuve and Ender Inciarte became the first pair of Venezuelan players to reach 200 hits in the same season. For Altuve, it’s something of a habit, as he reached the milestone for the fourth consecutive year, while becoming the first player ever to lead a league in hits four straight years.
Inciarte got to 200 first, hitting the milestone Tuesday against the Mets in New York. He posted a message in Spanish recalling what Altuve told him in March during the World Baseball Classic: “Two Venezuelans have never paired up for the mark… Let’s do it.”
Altuve posted a photo of them in their national team uniforms, saying, Orgulloso de ti mi bro … Proud of you, my bro.
Stepping up
After Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane María, active and retired players alike joined relief efforts, including Hall of Famers Pedro Martínez and Roberto Alomar and current stars Robinson Canó and Javy Báez.
Martínez announced that he will dedicate his annual charity gala — slated for Nov. 3 — to help those in the Caribbean affected by the hurricane disasters.
Alomar, doing what Roberto Clemente would do, was in his hometown of Salinas, Puerto Rico, distributing supplies over the weekend, as well as other hard-hit areas, such as Cataño.
Canó and his Mariners teammate from Puerto Rico, closer Edwin “Sugar” Díaz, wore t-shirts showing their support, and Báez wore one, “Puerto Rico Fuerte,” that can be purchased to benefit hurricane relief organizations through Joe Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation.
Point of pride
Miguel Cabrera once again reached into his pocket to help kids in his country, sending the Venezuelan squad to the U-10 Pan American Baseball Championships in Reynosa, México. Earlier this year, Cargo, Freddy Galvis and Jhoulys Chacín covered travel expenses for the Luz-Maracaibo team’s trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
La selección de #Venezuela ?? le dice a @MiguelCabrera ¡GRACIAS! Por tu apoyo si estaremos en el Panamericano SUB-10 ?? pic.twitter.com/kvgICnYFtD — FEVEBEISBOL (@FEVEBEISBOL) October 1, 2017
Bring Big Sexy Back
Some say his win for the Twins on Sunday was his last MLB appearance, but Bartolo Colón isn’t buying it. He says he made a promise to his late mother that he would pitch until he was 45, which means he plans on being back in 2018, trying to improve on his 240 career victories and catch Hall of Famer Juan Marichal (243) and Dennis Martínez (245) as the winningest Latino pitcher in history. Twins fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the game in the seventh inning, and the team posted his final line in tribute.
Two-sport athletes
From the looks of a video Yasiel Puig posted on Instagram, he and a few of his teammates have decent soccer skills. The Dodgers can rock the header drills while they await the winner of the National League Wild Card game between the Rockies and the D-Backs.
A blue chip off the old block
The Tigers signed the 17-year-old prospect Pedro Pablo Martínez. Name sound familiar? The Dominican native is the son of Hall of Famer Pedro the Great. Unlike his father and his uncle Ramón, Pedro Jr. is a third baseman. Still…
Featured image: Jose Altuve Instagram