The Dark Side of Off-Season Travel: When Baseball’s Winter Break Turns Tragic
The end of the baseball season often marks a time of rest and reunion for players, many of whom return to their home countries to spend time with family or play winter ball. But for some, this annual journey has become a perilous one, fraught with dangers that have nothing to do with the sport they love. And this is where the story takes a somber turn.
For players from Latin America, particularly those associated with the Cleveland Guardians, off-season travel has sometimes led to life-altering—and in the most tragic cases, life-ending—incidents. The most recent example involves Carlos Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher who briefly played for Cleveland last season. Hernandez was involved in a serious car accident in his native Venezuela, where he was pitching winter ball. According to reports, he and his cousin were in the car, and Hernandez suffered a fractured left arm and a fractured right femur—injuries that will likely sideline him for a significant period.
But here’s where it gets even more unsettling: This isn’t an isolated incident. As Paul Hoynes grimly noted on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, ‘This is not the first time a Guardians player or former Guardians player has run into trouble during the winter in Latin America. Unfortunately, we’ve had a list of these guys.’ That list is disturbingly long, painting a stark picture of the risks players face when returning to countries with higher crime rates and infrastructure challenges.
Take the case of Jolbert Cabrera, who in 2001 was carjacked in his native Colombia. He was shot in the buttocks, an incident that cost him a chunk of that season. While Cabrera eventually recovered, others haven’t been as fortunate. Juan Lara, a pitcher who played a few games for Cleveland in 2007, was involved in a serious auto accident in the Dominican Republic. His car was hit by a motorcycle, leaving him close to death. Though he returned to pitch in the minors, the accident effectively ended his career.
Perhaps most heartbreaking is the story of Andy Marte, a former Cleveland third baseman. Marte was involved in a fatal car accident in the Dominican Republic that claimed his life. ‘This is not a joking matter,’ Hoynes said. ‘It’s a run of terrible luck.’
And this is the part most people miss: These tragedies highlight the complex reality for Latin American players, who navigate between two worlds—the structured environment of Major League Baseball and the sometimes unpredictable conditions in their home countries. The photos shared on social media of Hernandez’s accident, showing a vehicle flipped over and crushed, serve as a stark visual reminder of the severity of these incidents.
‘You hope that these guys, when they return to their native countries, take all the precautions,’ reflected Joe Noga. ‘That they keep themselves and their families safe.’
For fans interested in learning more about this often-overlooked aspect of baseball, the full Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast episode provides important context. The hosts discuss how these incidents impact both the players and the organization in ways that extend far beyond the baseball diamond.
Controversial Question: Should Major League Baseball organizations take a more active role in ensuring the safety of players during the off-season, especially in high-risk regions? Or is it ultimately the player’s responsibility to navigate these challenges? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
