waymoresports.thestar.com Mar. 18, 2003. 08:42 AM Geoff Baker

Jays closer Escobar on the best and worst cities to visit and what it's like to be rich and famous

Plucked out of the sandlots of Venezuela as a teenager, Kelvim Escobar has overcome homesickness, shyness and a poor grasp of English to become one of the Jays' most recognized players.

Baseball observers feel Escobar, armed with a devastating forkball, is on the verge of becoming one of the game's elite closers. He is also one of the team's more sought-after bachelors — he'll be 27 next month — and enjoys the singles' life.

Unplugged caught up with Escobar as he lounged by the swimming pool at the Florida condominium he's renting this spring after signing a one-year, $3.9 million (U.S.) contract over the winter.

Q What's the best pitch you've ever thrown?

A My second game in the big leagues in 1997, facing Wade Boggs. It was in the last inning of the game, there were two outs and I was very, very excited. All the fans were on their feet and I struck him out.

Q What's the worst pitch you've ever thrown?

A In Boston last year, I threw a very bad pitch and Nomar Garciaparra hit a home run (to the opposite field). I don't even know how he hit it. I was like, `Wow, what's going on here?'

Q If you hadn't become a baseball player, what would you have been?

A I used to like international languages, so I would have been a teacher, or a tourist guide down in my country, in Venezuela.

Q What was the last book you read?

A I don't know how to translate it in English. It was called Who Stole My Cheese?

Q Do you remember the author's name?

A (laughing) Some mice, three or four mice. It's about how, as a person, you have to be ready for anything that comes your way. It's about what you have to do to get better, to stay strong. It's more about staying positive.

Q Should the United States attack Iraq?

A Wow. I don't really know what's going on. I'm from Venezuela and I don't really ... I mean, it's bad for the world. Hopefully, they can come up with something so they don't have to go to war.

Q What was the last movie you saw?

A My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It was a funny one.

Q Who's the worst dresser you've ever played with and what's the worst thing they wore?

A I remember (relief pitcher) Randy Myers. He used to wear the kind of hat you use to go hunting with. And I think he wore the same pants for six months.

Q What's the item you'd most like to see on a menu in a Toronto restaurant that you can't get right now?

A In Toronto, they pretty much have everything. From Spanish, to Indian, everything. They have a place in Toronto, from Venezuela, called Momentos, and they have my arepas, my chicken, rice, black beans. All the kinds of stuff that I really like.

Q Did you ever fear for your own safety when you were living through the trouble in Venezuela this off-season?

A Yes, I did. When I saw the Venezuelan people killing each other, I thought we were going to have a civil war or something.

Q If Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was sitting here right now, what would you say to him?

A First, I would ask him why all of this is going on, why don't the people like him and why are they going to the street to protest? Second, I would tell him to find a way to fix it.

Q What kind of car do you drive and why?

A Right now, I have the Mercedes-Benz SL 55. It's so fast and comfortable and nice. It's just incredible. It's very sporty.

Q What is your favourite type of music and who is your favourite singer?

A I'd say salsa. Salsa, salsa, salsa. And my favourite salsa singer is Oscar de Leon. He's from Venezuela.

Q What do you do to impress a woman the first time you meet her?

A Wow, that's a good one. Just be myself. Be myself and be nice. Don't try to impress anybody. Just go over and if you want to say something, say something. But you don't have to impress anybody. There are some guys who do it, but I don't think I can be like that.

Q Do you ever tell women you're a professional athlete?

A No. I try to stay away from that sometimes. That question, sooner or later, is going to come up. What do you do for a living? And sometimes, you don't want that question to come up right away. You want to get to know the person. You want her to get to know you and think, Oh, this guy's nice.' And you don't want to let her know you're a professional athlete because the first thing that's going to come to her mind is, This guy has a lot of women. He makes a lot of money.' Stuff like that.

Q What's the biggest difference, personality-wise, between women in Canada and women in Venezuela?

A I think in Toronto, because the culture is different, the girls are more open-minded.

Q How are they more open-minded?

A Maybe because of the culture, they're a bit more ... wow ... how can I explain it? Maybe sexually and as far as being easy-going. They're very easy-going. In Venezuela, sometimes, they're very conservative.

Q How often is your first name misspelled by people?

A Oh, lots of times. And even myself, having a Spanish accent, I'll say Kelvim and it sounds like Kelvin. ... I have to spell it for them sometimes.

QWhat's the best city to visit on the road and why?

A New York is very interesting. Everybody wants to go to New York. I mean, it's a beautiful town, the people are all different. There's good shopping, it's good to go out, good to eat. You just have everything in New York. New York is New York.

Q What's the worst city to visit on the road?

A Oh my God, Detroit. There's nothing to do there. And we stay away from everything. I don't like the downtown. It's ugly and there's pretty much nothing to do.

Q Are you going to read the new book by your former teammate, David Wells?

A No, because I don't care. Whatever he says in there, I don't care. I don't think I have time for that. If somebody says my name is in there, I might read it. But if not, there are too many important things going on in the world right now that you have to worry about. So, I don't need to worry about that book.

Q Now that you're a millionaire, what have you bought that you used to dream of buying while growing up in Venezuela?

A I always wanted to have a boat because I grew up by the beach. And now I have a nice boat. And a nice car. First of all, I wanted to get a nice house for my Mom. And I got it. That was the first thing. To be able to make enough money to buy a big house for my Mom and treat her like a queen. And next, I thought of having a big house for myself, a boat and a car. And to support my family, because I really support my family and help a lot of people in my family.

Q What do you miss most about Venezuela when you're not there?

A Being around my family. I'm very much a family guy. Then, the second thing I miss is the Venezuelan ladies. The girls. That's one of the things I miss most. They're so beautiful, man. I just miss them.

www.thestate.com Posted on Tue, Mar. 18, 2003

"Basically, (President George W. Bush's message) was short and to the point. I was surprised that nothing was said about a heightened security alert."

Carl Thompson, 25, of Columbia. He's a graduate of USC and working at Damon's Clubhouse.

"I thought that George Bush, as expected, was very simple and to the point. .‘.‘. I was surprised he didn't mention France and Germany .‘.‘. I guess that's not really relevant now. We're going to war."

Rod Dobson, 40, of Columbia

"America has been very patient. I don't think anybody wants to see us have to go to war. .‘.‘. Over the years, we haven't been able to keep our freedom by backing down. The longer we wait, the more of an opportunity we're giving Saddam to terrorize us."

Heather Riddle, 24, Northeast Richland

"I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon. Whatever is better for the world is what I want. I just want world peace."

Oscar Cabrices, 19, a USC chemistry student from Venezuela, one of 25 students watching at the Russell House University Union.

"President Bush drew a vivid picture for Saddam tonight. .‘.‘. I think (Bush) has no other option under the circumstances."

Johnny Deal, 41, Camden

"I support my president. I think everyone should stand behind the president."

Margie Cone, 59, of Columbia, a homemaker.

"I was pretty much prepared for what he was going to say. I think if they go over there and quickly find what they're looking for, that would change everyone's minds."

David McQuillan, 53, of Columbia, a map librarian at USC, was at Damon's. He had been listening to the speech on the four-hour ride from Raleigh to Columbia.

"As president, (Bush's) first responsibility is to protect American citizens, and by doing this, he'll achieve that goal."

Kyle Gunn, 35, Columbia

"I think it (the case) was made long before the speech. It's about time they finally decided to just do it. I was glad to see they set a deadline."

Tina McGrory, 40, Irmo-area housewife, mother of a 12-year-old girl "

"We can't let a bully get away with this."

Barbara McQuillan, 57, a paralegal, from Columbia. She thinks war started on Sept. 11, 2001.

"The most important thing (about the speech) was that he gave Saddam 48 hours to leave Iraq. .‘.‘. at 8:16 (p.m.) when (Bush) finished his speech, protests should end. (The) American people need to come together and stand behind men and women in uniform regardless of what they feel. We all need to come together at this moment until this is over."

Larry Ware, 62, of Chapin, retired from the Michigan Army National Guard as a brigadier general, Desert Storm veteran

"America should be more cooperative with the world. I pray that the world is much more safe after this. Nobody in the world wants Saddam Hussein (in power). But, the whole world should be behind it (if we head to war). In the Gulf War, everybody was behind it. But somewhere down the line we, as Americans, have failed in our diplomacy."

Dr. Syed Hassan, 50, college professor, who l Ives In The Irmo Area

"I don't think we have any choice but to do this. Sept. 11 was the Pearl Harbor of this war. To not act knowing everything we know would be suicide."

John Cone, 61, of Columbia, executive director of the S.C. Home Builders Association.

"I think (Bush made the case for war), how many lines in the sand can you draw? Of course, I had hoped we would have avoided it, but you have to do what you have to do."

John Kerce, 53-year-old business owner from Lexington, who has a 21-year-old son on the USS Constellation

"He (Bush) had a lot of valid points. Saddam had multiple opportunities to disarm. They've had long enough, it's time to go in. It was a fair, a good choice that he is giving Saddam. I don't think he'll leave."

Paul Sadler, 20-year-old personal trainer at the YMCA, from the Irmo area

"It was pretty much what I thought he was going to say. I back the president 100 percent. I think the case has been made for a long time. Saddam has had a chance to come clean, but he blew it. It's time for us to act and do what needs to be done ."

Capt. Todd Helms, 38, of West Columbia, headquarters commander for the Army Reserve's 310th Personnel Group. He's been mobilized since Feb. 10 and is expecting to be shipped out any day. He is the father of three.

"It's sad. I was sitting there crying. When he said 48 hours, that's when it hit."

Kathryn Helms, 37, of West Columbia, wife of Capt. Todd Helms

"I'm just really glad that he's setting a date instead of keeping putting them off and giving Saddam more time to get ready .‘.‘. .If we're going to have to go to war, I'd rather do it sooner than later. It's already been a month and a half already; I'm just ready for him to come home and get it all over with."

Rachel Morris, 22, of Greenville, wife of Richard Allen Morris Jr., a corporal with the Marines Corps 2nd Light Armor Reconnaissance, who deployed to Kuwait Feb. 7. Mother of a 4-month-old and 19-month-old.

www.sun-sentinel.com By Owain Johnson Special Correspondent Posted March 18 2003

Caracas · Weighing in at about 100 pounds, the capybara is the world's largest rodent. It lives in and near rivers and lakes and is most commonly found in Venezuela's tropical wetlands. This time of year, it also tends to be found on dinner plates.

A quirk of history means that a giant rodent is to Lent in Venezuela what the turkey is to Thanksgiving in the United States, even though scientists worry that the animal's prominent role in Lenten dinners is threatening the long-term future of the species.

About 400 years ago, Spanish missionaries discovered that some indigenous communities in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil relied for much of their protein on the meat of the capybara, an animal that no European had seen before.

The missionaries reported back to Rome that they had encountered an animal that was hairy and scaly and spent more of its time in the water than on land. They asked whether their new converts could continue to eat capybara at Lent, a time when Catholics traditionally avoid meat.

With no clear idea of what the capybara was or looked like and concerned a ban would lead to indigenous communities starving during Lent, the Vatican immediately ruled that the semi-aquatic mammal was in fact a fish.

The tradition continues to this day, and eating capybara remains part of the Lenten tradition for many families, despite the fact that the giant rodent tastes like a cross between fish and lamb.

Last year, a pound of capybara meat rose to $1.09 in the weeks running up to Easter, a considerable sum in a country where the minimum monthly wage at the time was $131 and has since fallen by more than a third.

Capybaras were once so common in areas known as the llanos, or plains, that some ranches were home to tens of thousands of the animals. Packs of the rodents crossing roads were a familiar sight.

Their numbers have fallen in recent years, though, and Edgar Useche, who advises the National Assembly on environmental issues, said the species is in sharp decline.

"Twenty years ago, you'd always see capybaras when you were driving around the llanos, but now, in some of the same areas, the people don't even know what a capybara is," Useche said.

Accurate figures for the numbers of capybaras killed in the run-up to Easter are hard to find because the majority of animals are killed by hunters without a official licenses, but the accepted figure is a minimum of 20,000 animals per year.

Useche argues that this annual cull is fatally weakening a species already suffering the consequences of increased human activity. In an area where most of the population lives in poverty, capybaras are a prime target by hunters who seek them out for their meat, their skins and their oil. Many cattle farmers shoot capybaras because the voracious rodents compete with their livestock for feed.

The science federation Fudeci is hoping to reduce pressure on the capybara by encouraging commercial farming of the species. Fudeci's director general, Ramiro Royero, has found companies interested in marketing farmed capybara meat.

Royero thinks that with proper marketing, Venezuelans could be persuaded to eat commercially produced capybara year-round. He notes that the distinctively flavored meat is high in protein, low in cholesterol and could sell for a fraction of the price of pork or beef.

Fudeci thinks that the sustainable production of capybara on ranch-style farms could provide a lifeline for the species in the wild. Commercial production would undercut demand for wild capybaras hunted illegally, as well as provide jobs and reliable income for impoverished rural areas.

"We have to learn to manage our biological diversity properly," Royero said. "The key is to add value to our natural resources and replenish them rather than wasting them."

www.twincities.com Posted on Tue, Mar. 18, 2003
BY DAVID HANNERS Pioneer Press

Service stations in the Twin Cities had about a 35-cent spread between high and low prices Monday as the country readied for a U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Put another way, if you drove a Hummer, it would cost you $48 to fill that 32-gallon gas tank with $1.50-per-gallon gas at the Marathon station at 26th and Hennepin in Minneapolis. But you would've paid $59 to fill up at the Mobil at 45th and University Avenue N.E., in Minneapolis, where gas was $1.85 per gallon, according to prices listed at www.twincitiesgasprices.com.

Then again, "If you can afford a Hummer, you can afford gas," said Dawn Duffy, a spokeswoman for the AAA office in Minneapolis.

A AA and state officials said there should be no shortage of gasoline in the Twin Cities if the country goes to war, but that prices will remain high. AAA has been cautioning motorists from immediately filling up once war appears imminent.

Such "panic buying," as they call it, can drive up prices.

"It's ugly, isn't it?" said Duffy. "Last year, nobody talked about gas prices. From April to November, we were around $1.40, $1.45. Last fall, we started worrying about Iraq, and last December we started worrying about Venezuela. But gas prices didn't start going out of control until the first week of February, when President Bush made his speech to the nation and said that things were going to be happening in a matter of weeks, not a matter of months. I don't know if the conflict ball was rolling, but the gas price ball was rolling fast."

According to figures compiled by AAA, the price of a gallon of unleaded self-serve regular in Minnesota currently averaged about $1.68 Monday, lower than the national average of $1.72.

But just to show how those prices can fluctuate, they were roughly equal ($1.63 a gallon nationally, and a penny higher in Minnesota) a month ago. Go back a year and the average Minnesota price of $1.31 per gallon was 6 cents higher than the national average.

Gasoline prices can fluctuate for a variety of reasons: rumors of war, labor strife in major world oil supplier Venezuela, refinery fires or even the presence of heavy fog in the Houston Ship Channel. But stocks of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Minnesota are relatively stable at present, said Jeff Haase, an engineer who monitors petroleum supplies for the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

"With motor gasoline, we're standing at about 1.88 million barrels (of stocks) and that's pretty much average for this time of year," said Haase. "We're entering into the 'shoulder' season, where refineries are going to be switching over to making more motor gasoline for the driving months of summer. There's really no cause for concern with the stocks the way they are right now."

The nation is divided into five petroleum districts. The district that includes Minnesota and 13 other Midwestern states imports the bulk of its foreign oil from Canada. Last December, for example, the district imported 43.7 million barrels of oil, and two-thirds of that oil came from Canada.

Refineries in the Midwest get about 13 percent of their crude oil from the Persian Gulf. Most of that is from Saudi Arabia, but Iraqi oil accounts for over 18 percent of the oil imported to the United States from that region, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration.

All told, about 2.5 percent of the gas a Hummer owner pumps into his vehicle — which gets about 8 to 10 mpg — was refined from Iraqi oil.

David Hanners can be reached at dhanners@pioneerpress.com or (651) 228-5551.

www.miami.com Posted on Tue, Mar. 18, 2003
BY MARIKA LYNCH mlynch@herald.com

CARACAS - As war in Iraq appears closer, Venezuela says its production of crude oil has nearly recovered from a crippling two-month strike.

By June, this important U.S. supplier expects to be able to surpass its former output to pump 3.4 million barrels of crude a day, officials said.

But Venezuela, according to analysts, fired oil workers and opposition members, is still behind and unlikely to recover fully before year's end.

' `I don't think so.' That's the general reaction,'' said George Beraneck, manager of market analysis for Washington-based consulting firm PFC Energy.

After surveying U.S. importers and other sources, Beraneck believes that Venezuela is producing about two million barrels a day, not the three million its government says. Though not the target, he said, that number is far beyond what he would have predicted a month ago.

''They're doing a nice job, considering what they're working with,'' Beraneck said.

Venezuela accounts for about one out of every seven barrels of oil imported to the United States daily. The strike is one of several reasons that U.S. and world oil reserves have been low over the last year, causing prices to rise.

The future of world oil prices is uncertain, analysts said, above all because of a possible war in the Middle East.

Venezuela's oil industry collapsed in December, when employees at state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, angry about changes in the company under the administration of President Hugo Chávez, walked off the job.

By the height of the strike, 16,000 employees had walked out and production had shrunk to 200,000 barrels a day, costing Venezuela $6 billion. The country had to import fuel to keep vehicles moving, and drivers waited for days at gas stations.

The strike, which failed to oust Chávez or to get early elections called, was strongest in the oil sector, though businesses around the country shut down. Because oil is Venezuela's primary source for foreign exchange, the country had to impose currency controls and ration dollars, which it hasn't sold in over a month.

The government, meanwhile, fired the striking workers and is moving to replace them with outside employees. In addition, seven oil executives, charged with sabotage, have gone into hiding. On Monday, an appeals court, citing procedural violations, struck down those charges, the executives' lawyer told reporters.

In January, President Chávez pledged a rebound by the oil industry and said crude production would be back to three million barrels a day by mid-February. On Saturday, state oil company chief Alí Rodríguez said that Venezuela had all but stopped importing gasoline, that crude production had nearly reached prestrike levels and that the company must now concentrate on stabilizing production.

Rafael Ramírez, minister of energy and mines, echoed his statements.

''We've maintained, intact, our production capacity,'' Ramírez said at a weekend oil conference.

In June, OPEC members are to gather to review the world oil situation. If the group agrees, Venezuela will surpass its limit to pump 3.4 million barrels of crude a day, Ramírez said.

But industry sources and former workers consider that level physically impossible. They note that many employees, including most top executives, have left, taking years of experience with them. And pumping crude, they say, isn't as simple as turning on a faucet; once off, it takes time for a well to be pumped again.