When the Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team took on the Miami Marlins on Tuesday for an exhibition game in Florida, they had no idea they would be dealing with politics, as news spread throughout the stadium that Venezuela president Hugo Chavez died.
According to Fox Sports, word started to spread as the teams took batting practice at Roger Dean Stadium that Venezuela president Hugo Chavez passed away, after which the flag was lowered to half-staff. Soon after it was brought back up to normal height, where it remained the rest of the night.
The controversial leader received a mixed response from players and fans in the stadium, with one spectator holding a sign that read "Viva Venezuela". He was a socialist leader and president for over a decade and he kept many anti-American opinions.
"There are things we can't control," said former Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who started for Venezuela. "For the respect of Venezuela, they have to do something before the first game against the Dominican Republic."
The team will likely make a note of honoring him before the first round of the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico on Thursday and Venezuelan team officials asked for a moment of silence and the lowering of flags to honor his death. "A Marlins spokesman said all parties involved - the Marlins, Major League Baseball and Roger Dean Stadium - were not prepared to do so."
The Venezuelan team was supported loudly by 2,719 fans at the game and Miguel Cabrera hit a home run and two doubles while driving in four runs while the team lost 6-5 to his old franchise in the Marlins.
Cabrera spoke about Chavez after the game.
"It's sad what's happening to our country," Cabrera said. "We send our condolences to his family. This is something you don't wish on anybody. I don't know how his family is right now. He's no longer with us - it's very sad. This is something I cannot comment a lot on because I feel a lot of pain and I'm not in Venezuela."
Some players avoided the situation, with former Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez and San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval both saying no when asked about Chavez's death.
Zambrano was more open than other players, speaking about Chavez after throwing two scoreless innings in the game.
"I'm very sad. I ask that the Venezuela people stay calm," he said. "We have to understand that the president had a family. He's a human being and it's sad. We send condolences to the Chavez family. We know it's a difficult moment. This caught us by surprise. It's really sad that people are taking this like a joke. It's time for the country to unite and understand that we are in a difficult situation."
Manager Luis Sojo spoke as well, saying that Chavez was interested in sports.
"He was a baseball man," Sojo said.
