Carrasco recalls robbery at gunpoint

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Eight days remained in Carlos Carrasco's offseason, leaving shrinking amounts of time available for family.

Trying to spend as much time as possible with his parents, four siblings and others relatives and friends, the Phillies pitching prospect looked forward to the most recent family feast and a relaxing evening to follow. Once he left for Spring Training in Florida, it might be eight months before another home-cooked meal.

But this is Venezuela, where baseball players become targets, regardless of stature or place on the salary food chain. A country of unrest that has seen much crime and violence serves as the backdrop for a horrific night for Carrasco on Feb. 3.

Carrasco couldn't have known when he went to pick up his mother, Maria, that the house was being cased by thieves. Two criminals watched the 20-year-old right-hander leave, then acted. When mother and son returned, they found the men in the home with most members of his family.

To ensure cooperation, one of the men pointed a gun at the head of Carrasco's youngest sister. Five to 10 harrowing minutes later, the criminals left with $7,000 in cash and merchandise, including jewelry, computer equipment and a flat-screen television.

"They told us that they will shoot us if we did anything stupid," said Carrasco, with the help of Spanish-language broadcaster Danny Martinez. "They were watching me when I picked up my mom. It was a setup."

In the city of Barquisimeto -- population 1.5 million -- Carrasco is a growing celebrity, a young pitcher with a bright future and the potential to make millions of dollars in the Major Leagues, like other Venezuelan superstars Bobby Abreu, Carlos Guillen and Miguel Cabrera. The mother of former big league pitcher Ugueth Urbina was kidnapped in 2004 by men looking for a score.

Sadly, it's become part of the way of life in a tattered country.

"Venezuela is going through a difficult time. There are a lot of safety issues," said Sal Artiaga, the Phillies' director of Latin American operations. "It's a wonderful country with wonderful people, but the landscape is such that it's brought about danger in certain areas. These poor kids grow up in a climate, in an atmosphere, that's difficult. It's having to be alert all the time. It's a worrisome fact of life."

Carrasco reluctantly left Venezuela on Feb. 11 -- he had a baseball season for which to prepare -- and has spoken to his mother on the phone every night since. Though the criminals were apprehended a week later, Carrasco remains worried.

Sometimes, his mother's quivering voice forces tears.

"I talk to my mom and have tears in my eyes," Carrasco said. "I feel I should be there helping out and be there with them. This is on my mind. I'm really worried for my family, and [playing baseball] is a way to get them out of there as soon as I can. It's been tough to put it away."

Venezuelan players know they must be careful around ballparks in their native country and wear no visible jewelry.

"Everybody knows we are a baseball player and they think about money," said Minor League catcher Orlando Guevara, who lives in Guacara, about two hours from Caracas. "We know we have to be careful when we get out of the stadium. You have to be careful if you're wearing a watch, sometimes shoes. This is normal right now. We have bad situations like this."