Quote: (11-10-2011 11:51 AM)Gmac Wrote:
These guys are basically walking targets. They don't know how to blend in. Someone should have warned him, but you can't roll around like a baller in dangerous countries like that. When I travel abroad, I try as hard as possible not to come across as American. Attire, attitude, mannerisms, dialect, everything. It's easiest to go with Canadian, because my British/Scottish accents suck (except when extremely drunk!).
The problem with ballplayers is more about everyone knowing who they are, and not so much them showing off their wealth. They're native Venezuelans, so from the first time there's a story about local boy making good, everyone knows you and your family, painting the bullseye on ALL of you. Like most, they don't want to move from their home country permanently (it's a point of pride to return in the off-season, play in summer leagues, do what you can for your old neighborhood, etc.). It's like a guy here that comes from a bad neighborhood, makes good, but refuses to move. Sooner or later, someone will jack him.
"The best kind of pride is that which compels a man to do his best when no one is watching."