This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake pitcher Eric Junge guarantees that there is nothing, nothing that compares to playing winter baseball in Venezuela. It's a job and an adventure rolled into one.
And when Junge's team, Navegantes del Magallanes (Magellan Navigators) meets rival Caracas Leones (Lions), it is look out below. Think New York Yankees and Boston times 10.
"When the two teams play each other, it's crazy," said Junge, who, along with Bees teammate Bear Bay and several Los Angeles Angels organizational players, will compete for Magallanes beginning Oct. 5. "It's fun, exciting. There's a ton of pressure. It's major league playoff intensity."
Near riots have been known to erupt in the stands and on the diamond, bringing armed police onto the field of play. Nothing like the relaxed atmosphere of Spring Mobile Ballpark, where 6,574 spectators saw Iowa (58-68) defeat the Bees (57-69) on Wednesday night, 8-7.
"It's awesome," Junge said.
It's also a chance to earn extra money. But if you are not performing, the team will put you on a plane home.
This will be Junge's third season in the Venezuelan winter league. In 2009, he and former teammate Michael Ryan were the first U.S.-born players to play for a Venezuelan team from the season's first game, continuing into the playoffs, and through the last game of the Caribbean World Series representing Venezuela.
They play a 55-game season, followed by a month of round-robin play before, hopefully, qualifying for the Caribbean World Series.
"We had such a blast down there," Junge remembered. "When runs score, beers go in the air."
The most intense rivalry is that between the Navigators and the Lions, who used to play in the same city. Magallanes' move to Valencia has done nothing to diminish the rivalry.
"You have to watch your back when you're down there," Junge said. "But it's awesome."
Note
The Los Angeles Angels promoted veteran right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams on Wednesday and catcher Hank Conger on Thursday. The Angels optioned right-handed pitcher Trevor Bell and Tyler Chatwood to Salt Lake and designated outfielder Reggie Willits for assignment.
Owlz 5, Osprey 4 • In Missoula, Mont., three Orem pitchers allowed just two hits over the final three innings, preserving a win over Missoula in Pioneer League action Thursday.
Raptors 9, Brewers 1 • In Helena, Mont., Matthew Kirkland was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run in a convincing win over Helena. —
Cubs 8, Bees 7
R Jeff Baisley drives in two runs during Salt Lake's four-run third inning.
• Iowa jumps out early by scoring four runs in the first inning on five hits.
• Salt Lake loses its fourth consecutive game.