Luis Valbuena and José Castillo killed in car accident

[Matt Breen]

Infielder Luis Valbuena, who played 11 years in the majors, including the last two with the Angels, was killed in a car accident in Venezuela. For major leaguer José Castillo, who played from 2004-08 in the majors, was also killed. Both men had been playing ball in the Venezuelan Winter League.

 

Valbuena was primarily a 2B/3B in his career. He never hit for high averages, but had some pop, hitting more than 20 HRs twice.

 

Castillo was an infielder who played primarily with Pittsburgh.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/luis-valbuena-former-pirates-infielder-jose-castillo-killed-in-car-accident-in-venezuela.html

[JackNicholson1974]

are car accidents more common in Latin America? Seems like players are being killed every off season.

[Bikeage77]

They are for a few reasons: the roads aren't as kept up, poor lighting at night, and the driving laws are not nearly as enforced as here. In an article I just looked up it said there are 19.2 road fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in Latin America – more than three times the rate of some European countries.

[OnaBadger58]

This car accident was a little different that a typical car accident however. A rock was intentionally placed in the road by people that were going to rob them. I can't say I've ever heard that. RIP, crazy world we live in.

[Matt Breen]

This car accident was a little different that a typical car accident however. A rock was intentionally placed in the road by people that were going to rob them. I can't say I've ever heard that. RIP, crazy world we live in.

Tragic to read this.

 

The situation in Venezuela is pretty chaotic in some places - and can be dangerous. Wilson Ramos was kidnapped back in 2011. And another player's mother was kidnapped as well.

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/four-people-arrested-details-emerge-car-crash-killed-former-mlb-players-211549482.html

[HiAndTight]

They are for a few reasons: the roads aren't as kept up, poor lighting at night, and the driving laws are not nearly as enforced as here. In an article I just looked up it said there are 19.2 road fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in Latin America – more than three times the rate of some European countries.

 

 

Well, it's tough for the police in some of these Latin American countries to enforce the laws when they're literally on bikes and they're only option to pull a car over is to motion to it as it goes by and hope that it pulls over.

[Matt Breen]

I’m just going to ask for everyone to not discuss politics here. If it continues, we will delete the specific posts. Thank you.

[DHonks]

Was there politics mentioned?

 

mod edit: deleted political sentences

[Eye Black]

Was there politics mentioned?

Yes. It appears there were multiple posts removed.

[brooks_quichenick]

Was there politics mentioned?

Yes. It appears there were multiple posts removed.

 

You should probably delete DHonks post as well in that case.