Baseball pros make surprise visit

By Bontã Hill
SPORTS EDITOR

First-year City College baseball player Oscar Delgado grew up in Venezuela doing what the country goes crazy over — playing the game of baseball. Looking for a way to be around baseball without playing professionally, Delgado turned to a career in journalism.

After attaining a bachelor’s degree in journalism from one of the best private colleges in Venezuela, Catholic University Andres Bello-Guayana, Delgado came to the U.S. to improve his English. He still writes for Venezuelan newspapers Nueva Prensa de Guayana and Correo del Caroni, which has enabled him to meet players throughout Venezuela.

Along the way, Delgado has become close with former San Francisco Giant and current Texas Rangers shortstop Omar Vizquel and current Giant Pablo Sandoval, two fellow countrymen who made it into the big leagues.

“I met Omar during my working here in America two years ago. He was with the San Francisco Giants in an inter-league game against the Oakland A’s,” Delgado said. “He said let’s hangout and you will get to know me better. We went to concerts and charity events and became friends. He’s a really nice person.”

“I first met Pablo here in San Francisco when he got called up late last season,” Delgado said. “My newspaper sent me an e-mail and said it would be nice to try to interview him.”

In two separate visits the stars came out to Balboa Park to share tips with members of the current City College baseball team. Vizquel fielded grounders and talked to the team about staying healthy, steroids and how to stay mentally prepared and focused on the game.

With City College players and coaches in awe over the glove handling of Vizquel and the power displayed at the plate from Sandoval, the major-leaguers also showed graciousness by signing autographs and taking pictures.

“Omar came here just because he wanted to do me a favor. He wants to be around the guys and teach them a few things,” Delgado said. “I asked him once to come out here, and he said it’s not a problem. I call him once a month just to say hi, to keep in touch. Before every baseball season I do an interview with him.”

Teammate Rafael Ward has known Delgado since he was ten years old and talked about meeting Sandoval as well. He also noted how big Vizquel was in his country.

“I met Pablo when I was fifteen in a baseball academy and he was one of the best players on the team,” Ward said. “Everybody wanted to be like Omar, everybody wanted to be a shortstop.”

Coach Vanoncini had a blast as he got to hit grounders to Vizquel and see Sandoval hit the ball all over the Balboa Park.

“Great for the kids, great for the program and it shows what type of guys they are, coming out, helping us out and sharing tips with us.”

Delgado also had the chance to interview superstar pitchers Francisco Rodriguez and Johan Santana for Nueva Prensa de Guayana. Vizquel though, was the interview he cherished as their friendship has grown closer over the last year.

While Delgado plays at City College, it is safe to say journalism has helped Delgado fulfill his dream of remaining involved in the world of baseball.