Robbery leaves two former MLB players dead
CARACAS, VENEZUELA— Former major league players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo were killed in a car crash caused by highway bandits who then robbed them, officials said Friday.
Valbuena, 33, and Castillo, 37, died late Thursday when their SUV crashed as it tried to veer around an object placed in the road, Yaracuy state governor Julio Leon Heredia said on his Twitter account.
He said four people have been detained after being found with property of the athletes.
Valbuena and Castillo were teammates on the Cardenales de Lara team in the Venezuelan winter league and were returning from a game in the capital when the crash occurred en route to Barquisimeto.
Third baseman Carlos Rivero was in the car and survived, according to website beisbolplay.
Valbuena, an 11-year major league veteran, hit .199 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in 96 games this year for the Los Angeles Angels, who released him on Aug. 7.
“I will miss Luis’ banter, smile, genuine love for his teammates, and, of course, the bat flips,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.
“He was a beloved person whether he was on our team or across the field.”
Valbuena hit .226 with 114 home runs over 11 big league seasons with the Angels, Seattle, Cleveland, the Chicago Cubs and Houston.
“Luis was always smiling and was one of the happiest players in baseball,” said Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow.
“He provided joy to his teammates and our fans. He helped our franchise turn a corner in 2015 and provided many cherished memories.”