Yorvit Torrealba's three-run homer catapulted the Rockies to a 4-1 win over Arizona and a 3-0 NLCS series lead over the Diamondbacks in October 2007. (Andrieski/AP)
DENVER, Colo. -
The 11-year-old son and brother-in-law of Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba were rescued by authorities in Venezuela after they were kidnapped and held for ransom, the team said.
According to a Caracas, Venezuela newspaper, the kidnapping happened Tuesday morning in the town of Guarenas while the boy was on his way to school.
The kidnappers, who were positively identified in a police lineup, asked for a $1 million ransom, which was not paid, according to the report.
The rescue happened Wednesday night in Araira, Venezuela. It was unclear exactly how the victims were freed.
(NOTE: Several published reports suggest three people, the boy and two uncles, were kidnapped)
Torrealba was with the Colorado Rockies in Houston when he was notified about the kidnapping and immediately flew home to Venezuela.
The team advised by Major League Baseball not to make the kidnapping public. Manager Jim Tracy simply said Torrealba left the team to attend to a personal matter.
"Our organization is relieved that the situation was resolved with the safe return of Yorvit's family members and we will continue to support Yorvit and his family through what has been an extremely emotional situation," said Rockies team president Keli McGregor.
"Yorvit knows that he can take the time he needs and will rejoin the Club when the time is right."
Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman, told FOX 31 Sports' Josina Anderson that he recommends his client relocate his family to the United States.
"I haven't sat down and talked with him deeply about the situation yet; but he has got to get his family out of there," Roman said.
High-profile athletes from Venezuelan have been targets in the past. Police rescued the mother of Detroit Tigers pitcher Ugueth Urbina from kidnappers in 2005.
According to a Caracas, Venezuela newspaper, the kidnapping happened Tuesday morning in the town of Guarenas while the boy was on his way to school.
The kidnappers, who were positively identified in a police lineup, asked for a $1 million ransom, which was not paid, according to the report.
The rescue happened Wednesday night in Araira, Venezuela. It was unclear exactly how the victims were freed.
(NOTE: Several published reports suggest three people, the boy and two uncles, were kidnapped)
Torrealba was with the Colorado Rockies in Houston when he was notified about the kidnapping and immediately flew home to Venezuela.
The team advised by Major League Baseball not to make the kidnapping public. Manager Jim Tracy simply said Torrealba left the team to attend to a personal matter.
"Our organization is relieved that the situation was resolved with the safe return of Yorvit's family members and we will continue to support Yorvit and his family through what has been an extremely emotional situation," said Rockies team president Keli McGregor.
"Yorvit knows that he can take the time he needs and will rejoin the Club when the time is right."
Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman, told FOX 31 Sports' Josina Anderson that he recommends his client relocate his family to the United States.
"I haven't sat down and talked with him deeply about the situation yet; but he has got to get his family out of there," Roman said.
High-profile athletes from Venezuelan have been targets in the past. Police rescued the mother of Detroit Tigers pitcher Ugueth Urbina from kidnappers in 2005.
