Major League Baseball catcher Wilson Ramos was abducted from his Venezuelan home late Wednesday night and Twitter is worried sick.
Ramos, who just finished his rookie season with the Washington Nationals, was abducted in his home in Santa Ines and “taken away in an SUV by four armed men,” reported ESPN. As of 10:34 a.m. ET, Venezuelan police have found the SUV and were gathering evidence, reported USA Today.
“Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time,” said the Washington Nationals in a statement. “Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment.”
On Twitter, the 24-year-old catcher has been mentioned more than 37,000 times since 7 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to statistics from Topsy, a social media search engine.
Most people have been spreading the news of Ramos’ abduction while others shared kind words and kept things light-hearted.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to Wilson Ramos and his family. Stay safe and get him back to the us @MLB,” tweeted Glenn DuPaul (@baseballs_econ).
“Someone needs to call Liam Neeson to help find Wilson Ramos,” tweeted Matt O’Rourke (@mattorourke). “That guy is a straight G. Remember Taken?”
Even a Twitter parody account notorious for making fun of Ramos’ goatee took a break to share its thoughts about the abduction.
“Please, please send your prayers to my owner & his loved ones. We love you Wilson & are praying for your safe return!” tweeted @wilramosgoatee.
In 2009, kidnappings and abductions in Venezuela grew by 40-60 percent, according to the U.S. Department of State. That same year, there were 12,257 homicides, which is “a rate of around 57 per 100,000 [people], one of the world’s highest,” reported The Economist.
Photo by Keith Allison