Projo Sports Blog

By Troy E. Renck
The Denver Post

DENVER -- Yorvit Torrealba thought his son was going to die. For two days, Torrealba agonized in Venezuela as his wife negotiated with kidnappers. He couldn't eat. He couldn't drink water. And he watched some of the strongest figures in his life, his father among them, reduced daily to tears.

"I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy," the Colorado Rockies catcher said Sunday in his first public comments since his son was freed almost two weeks ago. "I wanted to go find my son and kill those who had taken him. But it was not a movie. The hours felt like days."

His 11-year-old son, Yorvit Eduardo, and two of the boy's uncles were kidnapped June 2 from a car in the Venezuelan city of Guarenas as they headed to school. They all were returned safely without a ransom being paid. Torrealba was grateful that the kidnappers treated his son well, though they threatened the uncles, he said.

"The (kidnappers) even joked with him about how I (stunk) because I was hitting only .220," Torrealba said. "Obviously, this is somebody that was watching me closely and planned it out as an easy way to make money."

Torrealba's wife and son arrived in Denver late Saturday after spending nearly a week in Miami following the boy's safe return. Torrealba vividly recalled the reunion with his son, whom he plans to keep in the United States, possibly permanently.

"I hugged him and cried. He was cool. He wanted to know how the Rockies were doing," said Torrealba, who repeatedly thanked fans and the Rockies organization for their support and prayers. "I said: `You don't need to worry about that. You need to worry about yourself right now.' "

Yorvit Eduardo visited a doctor multiple times while in Miami. Trips to the park and the mall helped him regain a sense of normalcy. The boy will join Torrealba today at Coors Field when the team holds a workout.

"He's happy; he's good," Torrealba said. "The second time he saw the doctor, he talked about coming to the clubhouse and seeing the guys, because he wants to be a baseball player."

Torrealba shared his story, though there were some reservations. The police have identified three prime suspects in the kidnapping, but Torrealba said no arrests have been made as they search for potentially three more who may have been involved.

Even more frightening, police told Torrealba they believe "one guy (a suspect) was on the inside, a close friend of mine or a family member."

Taken along with Yorvit Eduardo were Daniel Antonio Alvarez, 31, and Agrey Alexander Marquez, 27. They have had a difficult time adjusting since their return. There is a sense of guilt -- Marquez was the boy's normal chauffeur -- and their treatment in captivity was severe. Their lives were threatened repeatedly, Torrealba said.

"They are making progress, but it's hard," Torrealba said. "When they (the captors) would negotiate with my wife, they would say they don't need them and that they could just kill them."

The captors took the three family members to an unknown hill, boarding them in a shack, said Torrealba, who worked closely with police. Their initial ransom demand was $500,000. Eventually, they asked for $150,000 and later $50,000. The captors released the hostages without receiving any money. The boy and the uncles ran to a home and called Torrealba's wife. All negotiations went through her.

"She would just tell them that I wasn't there, that the Rockies hadn't given me permission to leave the team," Torrealba said.

Police told Torrealba that it was safer if he didn't take the calls. Given Torrealba's impatient nature, the police were worried that if he agreed to the kidnappers' demands, the crisis might have dragged out and ended tragically.

When Torrealba walked into the Rockies' clubhouse Sunday morning, he received countless hugs from teammates.

"I'm sure he will continue to be embraced by a number of people," manager Jim Tracy said.

Although Torrealba's trademark smile returned, he looked mentally fatigued and lighter.

"I have no idea what's going to happen next. I am just happy to be back. They are the best teammates I have ever had," Torrealba said. "Now, I have my family here, and they are going to be here for the near future. I won't give anyone the chance (to take them)."

 Tags  Colorado Rockies Yorvit Torrealba

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