ST. LOUIS – A first-inning home run Sunday was profoundly moving for Cardinals veteran catcher Willson Conteras. He expressed heavy emotions rounding the bases and embraced fellow catcher Pedro Pagés in the dugout with the future of his native Venezuela at the top of his mind.
Contreras spoke in depth after Sunday’s game about the future of his country and the consequences of the presidential election for Venezuela.
“For the past 25 years, we have people there — and me, I was part of it — we have lived in a dictatorship,” said Contreras. “I really pray to God that it comes to an end. But I really pray to the U.S. government to keep an eye on it because they’re going to do whatever they’re going to do to stay in power.”
“Today in my country, it’s going to be one of the biggest days in Venezuela’s history,” he continued. “I prayed to God last night because I can’t be in Venezuela right now and vote for a new change. I just prayed and asked him to let me hit a homer and dedicate it to Venezuela and it happened.”
According to the Associated Press, based on partial results released by the National Electoral Council in Venezuela, incumbent Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the election. However, the opposition has contested these results and foreign leaders have held off in formally verifying the results as of Monday.
A Maduro victory would secure his third third for president and an extension to his political party’s 25-year rule.
In Sunday’s postgame media session, Contreras showed concern for ongoing struggles among fellow Venezuelans and hopes for more political stability back home.
“I don’t think anybody has asked me to speak out, but I don’t think many people here in the United States or St. Louis or Washington [D.C.] know what’s going on in Venezuela,” said Contreras. “I’m tired of seeing my people in Venezuela suffering, not getting [medication], not getting food.”
“The country is speaking. We all want change,” said Contreras.
According to the AP report, the Venezuelan election could have have ripple effects throughout the Americas. “Government opponents and supporters alike signaling their interest in joining the exodus of 7.7 million Venezuelans who have already left their homes for opportunities abroad,” said their previous report.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in on Monday, according to the Associated Press, and expressed he was concerned that the result reflected neither the will nor the votes of the Venezuelan people. He called for election officials to publish the full results transparently and immediately, adding that the U.S. and the international community would respond accordingly.
Contreras and Pagés, both catchers, are the only Venezuelans on the St. Louis Cardinals’ active roster. Sunday’s home run was the 150th of Contreras’ nine-year MLB career with the Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.
