K-Rod declines invites from Chavez Frias and all Venezuelan politicians

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

World Series 2002 revelation Venezuelan pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez says he feels safe in the USA after some harrowing experiences while at home in Venezuela for the winter league, in which he played 4 games. 

• According to the Texas Angels player, his family has been held up three times by armed thugs since he went home … “they must have thought the family had money.”

Rodriguez has revealed that he rejected an offer to meet baseball fanatic, President Hugo Chavez Frias. “We spoke on the phone and I told the President I would prefer to meet him when the situation in Venezuela improved.”

K-Rod, as Rodriguez is known, has dashed possible opposition PR from the rejection because he has made it clear that he prefers to steer clear of both sides in the conflict.  Explaining his delay in arriving for spring training, Rodriguez says he had visa problems and wants to bring his grandmother with him to the USA.