Are you interested in this too?
Dominican professional baseball is not inmune from the corruption that goes on in DR. The gambling that goes around baseball in betting parlors has affected the outcome of games. People are beginning to doubt the integrity of what once was recognized as an honest league of teams.
For instance, the outcome of last few years elimination tournaments, better known as "Unos contra todos" or "Todos contra uno" has been in doubt. Just two days ago the Estrellas Orientales were eliminated from the championship tournament thru a suspicious power play by the Aguilas Cibaeņas team. The Eagles(as called in DR1) allowed six consecutive base on balls, something unheard of in the annals of baseball championship series or regular season baseball, to lose to the Leones del Escogido and avoid playing the Estrellas.
Some saw this as an attempt by the Eagles to play the weaker team in the finals, but as people in the streets see it, and as commentaries from radio and TV programs testify, it is seen as as a deeper problem. Many believe this had to do with illegal betting.
The league also has done little to stop the increasing amount of steroids, drugs and alcohol used by players, and many players are involved in scandals which are covered up in the press. There are players who do not pay alimony to their children and others involved in abuse of women. Players are also involved in the current corruption of government thru the use of tax evasion. There are players bringing in luxury cars without paying a dime in taxes, thanks to the help of politicians, who are rewarded with free exposure with the players during political campaigns. Politicians also help players falsify legal documents to reduce their age and many other legal maneuvers, such as illegal visas and passports.
Could this be why Sammy Sosa has been in hiding recently? His Dominican social life has been reduced to resting and touring resorts. He used to be involved in the social and political life in DR. Has he finally understood the dangers of associating with politicians and the government?
TW
|