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Post by Mike M on Jan 19, 2012 18:03:53 GMT -5
espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7480419/fausto-carmona-cleveland-indians-arrested-accused-using-false-identity Another MLB player from the DR arrested for using a false identity when trying to get a work visa to play in the USA. Sad, because a lot of kids there are told to lie about their age and given false names so that they are more "valuable" to teams. Wasn't really a big deal until after 9-11 and the USA got serious about falsifying those documents. Turns out "Carmona" is really named Roberto Hernandez Heredia and is 31, not 28 as was assumed.
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Post by marktaggart on Jan 19, 2012 18:09:48 GMT -5
Back when I was still following baseball one of the favorite hobbies of sports radio hosts seemed to be trying to figure out the real age of these Dominican players. It was pretty much accepted that none of these guys was as young as they claimed. It's a shame for these talented guys that they feel like they have to lie to get ahead.
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Post by Pete on Jan 19, 2012 20:02:10 GMT -5
Not that I'm making excuses for Carmona or for the former Leo Nunez, but when you combine growing up in abject poverty in the Dominican Republic (which pretty much every one of these baseball prospects does) with the extreme importance of age with regard to contract negotiations, these people DO have to lie to get ahead.
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Post by Mike M on Jan 19, 2012 20:17:44 GMT -5
I know what you're saying, Pete. There's isn't much difference between a "raw" 16-year old with promise and a 19 year old who "needs development"... other than the three years that a team thinks they have for the prospect to grow as a player.
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Post by marktaggart on Jan 19, 2012 22:10:20 GMT -5
You don't have to stress the "do", Pete. Everyone knows the deal, which is exactly as you detail it and exactly why these guys lie about age. No one HAS to do anything, but they are compelled by the way MLB scouts talent. There is an option, but it sucks (tell the truth and lose millions). Again, it's a shame it works the way it does for these guys considering all that is on the line.
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