St. Louis Cardinals: Keep Jose Martinez in your thoughts
By Matt Graves
![DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 7: First base coach Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals playfully tugs on the beard of Jose Martinez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 7: First base coach Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals playfully tugs on the beard of Jose Martinez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fredbirdrants-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F09-2F1028824420-850x560-dd62b7106a47a62089cacf4152172879.jpg)
With the recent unrest in Venezuela leading to St. Louis Cardinals’ first baseman, Jose Martinez, to travel home, keep him in your thoughts and wish for his safe return.
I am admittedly not as up to date with world politics as some readers are, and this is absolutely no place for politics, but when it effects the St. Louis Cardinals, there’s a way to take a non-political approach to a subject. This leads me into how the situation in Venezuela, which, in my understanding is a bit of an uprising that is occurring because people are unhappy with the current form of government there.
Currently, the Venezuelan Winter League finals should be in full swing, but due to the unrest, all of the American players were sent home. That is a pretty big deal that likely is signalling that the situation in Venezuela could be growing quite severe.
For most people who live in and around St. Louis, and even for those who live in general Cardinal Nation, this is not a huge deal. But for someone like Jose Martinez, a native of Venezuela, it is.
José Martínez indicated this past weekend that he intended to return to Venezuela this week, in part to help secure his family. https://t.co/DUCVqd3pgc
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) January 25, 2019
Jeff Jones cites that Jose Martinez will be going back to Venezuela, which is a risk that I can understand why Martinez wants to make. Some people will likely call Martinez an idiot or reckless for traveling back to home, but just imagine how you would act if you were in his shoes. His family that he has back home is in danger. I, for one, don’t really blame him for wanting to go back and be sure they are safe and secure.
I am not exactly sure if it is something to celebrate, but Jose Martinez is the only Cardinals player on the 40-man roster who is from Venezuela. More than likely, he is the only player on the team who will likely feel compelled enough to risk travel there.
Next. Hey look up there! New stadium lights!. dark
While Martinez travels back home, please keep him in your thoughts. I have no clue exactly how dangerous it is down in Venezuela, but if the MLB is recommending that players don’t travel there, and they sent home all American players, it isn’t looking great. Hopefully he returns soon safe and sound.