What Cologne Is In A Cigar Shaped Bottle

20 Venezuelan managers make their way in the minor leagues

More than 60 technicians in the country are in charge of player development. Omar Malave and Carlos Subero, strategists Creoles more years of service in the MLB farm system in 2011, their experience

Omar Malave not surprised that 20 Venezuelans prepare to lead teams in the farm system in the majors, though he admits that when he started as a pilot in 1991 in the subsidiaries of the Blue Jays, that figure was unimaginable.

"I think very few of us dared to think about the transition. There was much pride and ego in most of the players. Some did not think they could still tied to baseball and technical. A role that seemed destined only to Dominicans or Puerto Ricans, as Latinos, "Malave said by telephone from his home in Clearwater, Florida.

"But I thought we had the potential to succeed in that area of \u200b\u200bthe game, because in Venezuela know the trade. All that remained was convinced that a player's career does not end when she leaves. Now, that mentality has changed and we are reaping the benefits. "

Omar Malave (center) gives instructions to Alex Gonzalez

Malave, a 48-year-old played all infield positions and in the gardens, even appeared in six games as a pitcher, where active time between 1981 and 1989. Only during that time only played eight triple challenges and possibilities of reaching the largest vanished. But he fulfilled the dream that housed a child in the role that has given him more satisfaction.

Last year he was promoted to coach of first in Toronto, after 18 brilliant seasons as a pilot which showed a balance of 1134-1000. Record numbers for a country's technical.

"I've been very lucky. Two seasons after retiring, the organization gave me the opportunity to continue doing what I always liked to stay on the field and passing on my knowledge to young people. "

Malave has been charged with clubs in all categories of Canadians, but this year will deal with all of the League of the Gulf Coast, a circuit for recruits that operates in Florida since mid-June to August .

"All levels are important, but I think a rookie team ends becoming a challenge. Are guys 18-19 years old, some from the college draft, but others are Latinos who do not yet speak the language and end up by becoming their only guide, not only inside but outside the ground. You have to earn the trust of all alike to see you as a friend, even as a father, as you spend more time with their families. The team gives you the responsibility to turn these kids into professionals, teaching them the principles of the organization. It's a job that provides great satisfaction. "

Although most of the rewards will be returning to the big tent as envestida manager.

"I think it is still possible. I have not abandoned that idea. I was interviewed when the position became available in Toronto (at the end of last season before being named John Farrell). I just have to keep working and trusting what I do. "

Figure paternal

A video shows Charles Suber rebuking Dee Gordon, who listens with his head down. The pilot claimed the passivity of shortstop while consuming a turn. "It took six pitches and not even swing Amagase to do." The program was produced by MiLB.com .

"I forgot I had a bug and I were recording (for The Coach Corner ). It was something spontaneous. It's part of my philosophy in conducting at this level. You try to see you as a parent. The scolding is for their sake and sometimes you have to remove the belt. The same as when I was educated mom and dad, "Suber said via the telephone line from Arizona, where he prepares his players to lead for the second straight season in the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double A. Gordon

leaflet appeared this year as number one in Los Angeles, according to Baseball America , and the documentary Suber says: "I have 22 years (old), I want to learn and desire to have someone at my side who is willing to teach me."

Carlos Subero in the Futures Game, 2010

Another image shows a Subero handling the fungus, in practice prior to the Futures Game in 2010 and After joking with Gordon.

"The good relationship with the players is essential. You must manage time well. When tough talk, when to call the office and how to deal with Latinos, whose learning process is more complicated because they must adapt to a new culture, foreign to its character, "said the strategist, who will be his third season in the minor league program for the Dodgers and the thirteenth of its history, after spending one season with the White Sox and nine with the Rangers. "The goal is to develop the player and everything happens because you earn your trust, without neglecting the competition. Something that can be very difficult. Sometimes I lose games I could win if he were running in the winter. But you can not take a young man who leads 14-0, with a situation of a man on second with two outs. You let him try out the slump and bring that career. It's a situation he will face, sooner or later, in the majors. "

Subero, 38 years old, you should insist on a daily basis in the technical and how to handle certain situations, including the case of our interview with Gordon.

"You must teach them to have conviction in what they do. But how to teach them to think about the team, if the promotion is individual? How do you keep thinking 'I am doing well, I'm passing through here, the team is secondary'? Well, communicating with them daily. Saying that the game demands respect, you should always think about winning. They must have the mental strength to gusts good and bad. " Subero

used as an example an episode that lived when Ian Kinsler-current second baseman for the Rangers, played for Clinton, Texas Class A affiliate in 2004. "It was an exciting time, average over .400. Then, early in the game hit a grounder to the box and did not run. The next inning was sitting. The game requires dedication and we must emphasize on that responsibility. "

In 2009, after finishing the season with inlane Empire (A) was called to the majors for the Dodgers and spent just over a month old and upward.

"I'm very happy. Do not know what to expect when I got here. It was my third organization in three years, after leaving the Rangers. But so far everything has gone very well. "

As with Malave at the time, Subero aspires to become part of a staff in the big tent. Until now walks the path indicated and is recognized by the California office. "It makes a great effort so that our boys are ready in their development process," said De Jon Watson, assistant general manager of the Dodgers, in the video that recorded the Venezuelan team in the previous season.

"The players become the best promotion in your work, "said Suber, a former infielder who played between 1991 and 1995, subsidiaries of Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Texas. "I know the road is long, active as a player if you graduated from grandeliga not, but you should always let you know that you're ready to make the move as coach."

In the spring had a chance to prove it. Suber led in 2009 to Preston Mattingly, the son of former Yankees slugger Don Mattingly, current manager of the Dodgers. Since then both maintain a good relationship.

"It gave me the opportunity to be during the whole spring training with the big team. I used a three-game display as coach third, one against the San Francisco Giants. It was very exciting for the rivalry between the teams. Also I was responsible for directing the infield practice with Tim Wallach and went to Davey Lopes, who is the baserunning coordinator. I had been in training for the White Sox (2008), invited by Ozzie Guillen, but nothing compares to the experience I had in Glandale (Arizona, spring home of the Dodgers).

Future in Houston

Omar Lopez will lead the fifth time in the Astros system and this year will take care of Greenville, in the Appalachian League after receiving the Man of the Year award in 2010 for his role in the development of players in the subsidiaries of Houston.

Omar Lopez

"Last season was successful (in the League of the Gulf Coast) and I hope to continue doing that job. During all these years I learned a lot personally and professionally. Something that I could convey to my target. " Alfredo

Pedrique, and bench coach Brad Mills right hand on the big team of sidereal think Lopez will rise faster in the organization. "It's a young technician (34 years), very meticulous, organized, who knows the game and knows how to teach. When you went to Magallanes, Omar was responsible for the practice until I arrived and I always got a very well prepared. His experience in the Venezuelan Summer League was also successful (he won the championship in 2007). So I predict a great future. "

The Dato

Ozzie Guillen, White Sox manager, leads the 10 technicians Venezuelans in the big leagues, including Alfredo Pedrique (bench coach of the Astros), Manny Trillo (baserunning coordinator, White Sox), Armando Camacaro (bullpen catcher, Indians), Eduardo Pérez (bullpen coach, Braves), Heberto Andrade (bullpen catcher, Pirates) and Roman Rodriguez (bullpen catcher, Yankees), plus assistant coaches Omer Munoz (White Sox), Edgar Tovar (Cubs) and Javier Bracamonte (Astros).

Guides farms

This is the complete list of the 63 Venezuelan technicians who will be in the minor leagues in 2011:

Arizona (1): Jose Tapia (pitching coach, rookie),

Atlanta (4): William Martinez (pitching coach, rookie). Gabriel Luckert (pitching coach, Danville, Appalachian League). Carlos Mendez (hitting coach, Rome, Class A). Luis Salazar (manager, Lynchburg, Class A Advanced).

Baltimore (1): Jesus Alfaro (Aberdeen, Class A shorter).

Chicago (NL) (1): Franklin Font (infield coordinator of the organization).

Cincinnati (6): Richard Paz (manager), Jaime Torres (hitting coach), Victor Oramas (coach), Jorge Lopez and Jose Villa (pitching coach) (Rookie Venezuela). José Miguel Nieves (manager, League of Arizona).

Cleveland (2): Dennis Malave (Mahoning Valley, Class A shorter). Odor Rouglas (hitting coach, Akron, Double A).

Detroit (4): Rafael Gil (manager), Carlos Bohorquez (pitching coach) and Josman Robles (hitting coach) (Rookie Venezuela). Jorge Cordova (pitching coach, Connecticut, Case A shorter).

Philadelphia (4): Rafael D'Lima (Manager), Silverio Nava (hitting coach) and Lester Straker (pitching coach) in the Venezuela Summer League. Jorge Velandia (Williamsport, Class A shorter).

Houston (2): Edgar Alfonzo (hitting coach, League Gulf Coast). Omar Lopez (manager Greenville, Appalachian League).

Los Angeles (1): Carlos Subero (manager, Chatanooga, Double A).

Milwaukee (1): Nestor Corredor (manager, rookie).

Minnesota (4): Ramon Borrego (manager) Ivan Arteaga (pitching coach) and Rodolfo Hernandez (coach) in the League of the Gulf Coast. Nelson Prada (manager, Belait, Class A).

New York (LA) (3): Carlos Mendoza (manager, League Gulf Coast). Victor Valencia (coach, Charleston, Class A). Luis Sojo (manager, Tampa, Class A Advanced).

New York (NL) (2): David Davalillo (hitting coach, rookie). Yunir Garcia (hitting coach, League Gulf Coast).

Carlos Garcia lead the Bradenton

Pittsburgh (5): Osmin Melendez (manager), Jonathan Prieto (hitting coach), Dan Urbina (pitching coach) (Rookie Venezuela). Carlos Garcia (manager, Bradenton, Class A Advanced). Luis Dorante (infield coordinator for Latin America).

San Francisco (4): Carlos Valderrama (hitting coach, rookie). Lipso Nava (manager, Augusta, Class A). Jose Alguacil (defensive coordinator) and Guillermo Rodriguez (instructor catchers).
San Luis (1): Alfredo Ortiz coach at Johnson City of the Appalachian League.

Seattle (6): Russell Vasquez (manager), Carlos Hernandez (pitching coach), William Oropeza and Jose Umbria (coaches) (Rookie Venezuela). Jesus Azuaje (manager, League of Arizona). José Moreno (manager, High Desert, Class A).

Tampa Bay (7): Esteban González (manager), Jorge Moncada (pitching coach), German Melendez, Gustavo Omana and Marlon Roche (coaches) (Rookie Venezuela. Wuarnner Corners (coach, Princeton, League Appalachia). Reinaldo Ruiz (coach, Hudson Valley, Class A short)

Texas (1): Alexis Infante (hitting coach, rookie).

Toronto (2): Oswald Sparkling (pitching coach, Dominican Notavos). Omar Malave (manager, League Gulf Coast).

Washingtong (1): Luis Ordaz (hitting coach, Auburn, Class A shorter).

This note, with some modifications to the blog, appeared in the daily El Nacional on April 3, 2011