Defensive Indifference

Thanks to ESPN’s free insider trial, I have learned that Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez is friends with Hugo Chavez, the president of his native Venezuela. From the article:

Some who played winter ball in Venezuela say they saw a lot of Magglio Ordonez on television with President Hugo Chavez. “He is my friend,” says Ordonez. “But I love the United States. Just friendship.”

I suppose it’s not really that weird that Magglio has had some photo-ops with his President, but being friends with Chavez?? That crosses the line for me. Not only is Chavez’ foreign policy based on an irrational hatred of everything even remotely American, but he also has no regard for freedom of the press, and his respect for fair elections or separation of powers is questionable at best.

Anyway, this post isn’t really about baseball, so I’ll cut it short. Suffice it to say that I am disappointed in Magglio’s choice of friends.