Please Don't Hurt Wilson Ramos; Young Nationals Star Kidnapped in Venezuela

Update: A little more than 48 hours after his abduction, Wilson Ramos has been rescued by police commandos.

Update: The car used in Wilson Ramos' kidnapping has reportedly been found in the town of Bejuma, about an hour's drive west of Ramos' home outside the city of Valencia.

Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela Wednesday evening.

The 24-year-old Washington Nationals catcher traveled home for the offseason and was planning on participating in a few winter ball games with Tigres de Aragua beginning Thursday, until this horrific event took place.

According to multiple news reports out of Venezuela, four armed psychos entered the Ramos family’s house Wednesday night around 6:45pm and took him while he was hanging out with his father and brothers. They put him in a green vehicle and sped away. At this point, Ramos’s family has not had contact with the kidnappers, who likely are seeking money in return.

Many of the kidnappings that take place in the country involve armed men driving their victims around until they are awarded cash before returning them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Wilson and his family and friends while we pray for his safe return and justice against his captors.

Ramos, who just finished up his rookie season batting .267 with 15 homers and 52 RBI, is considered by many to be one of the bright young stars the Nationals are hoping to build their team around.

Although this seems to be the first incident involving a major league baseball player, this is all reminiscent of the 2005 kidnapping of Ugueth Urbina's mother, who spent more than five months in captivity until she was rescued in early 2005. In 2009, Victor Zambrano's mother was kidnapped for ransom just nine days after his cousin was kidnapped and later murdered; his mother was rescued after three days and returned safely home. Later that year, Yorvit Torrealba’s young son and brother-in-law were also kidnapped and released a day later. People can be so evil.

Whether you are religious or not, we hope that today, in your busy and hectic life, you can find a moment to think of Wilson Ramos and his family. We'll keep this post updated as we hear more.

[Washington Post]