Being a Chavez supporter can have its ups and downs. It really depends on the crowd you’re with, and in the case of Detroit Tigers All-Star player Magglio Ordoñez, the crowd is the fans and the reaction to Ordoñez’s support of Huguito has been anything but positive. NPR reports that Ordoñez has had to face all sorts of criticism from fans, most recently at the World Baseball Classic:

After every at-bat boos rain down on Ordonez from his team’s own supporters, and cheers erupt from Venezuelans in the stands when Ordonez strikes out. At issue is Ordonez’s vocal support of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president known for his commitment to socialism and the glee he takes in criticizing the United States. Other famous Venezuelan players past and present have voiced support for President Chavez, and the fans have cut them a break.

Venezuelan baseball expert Leonte Landino says in the cases of Melvin Mora, Ozzie Guillen, Dave Concepcion and Francisco Rodriguez, fans acknowledge “you can think different from me, but still you’re a baseball player and you’re representing Venezuela.”

But Ordonez is in another category, says Landino, who was working as a producer for ESPN Deportes during the World Baseball Classic games. Ordonez actively campaigned with Chavez, even appearing at softball events held to promote a vote to change the Venezuelan Constitution and eliminate term limits. That effort succeeded, allowing Chavez to run for re-election again in 2012.

This has earned Ordoñez the wrath of some Venezuelans and Venezuelan Americans. Chavez himself has called Ordoñez a “patriot” and the fans’ reaction “shameful”.

This makes me wonder: if it’s acceptable to mix sports with politics, why don’t we boo all the baseball players who supported Bush?

Via / NPR