CARACAS, Venezuela -- Major League Baseball second baseman Placido Polanco was not sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch, the Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday.Polanco, who was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Urgueth Urbina in 2005, was also not found guilty of illegal deprivation of liberty and violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands during a dispute over a gun on Oct. 16, 2005, according to a statement from the Attorney General's Office.
"I am thrilled," Polanco told ESPN. "We're glad that the judicial process worked. I firmly believe that I'm innocent."
The 31-year-old Detroit Tiger was not accused of joining a group of men in attacking and injuring workers with machetes and pouring gasoline on them at Urgueth Urbina's family's ranch, located about 25 miles south of Caracas.
"Why are you asking me about Placido Polanco?" said Jose Antonio Baez, a former attorney who represented Urbina.
Urbina repeatedly has denied involvement in the violent attack, saying he was sleeping at the time.
The Phillies signed Polanco in 2005 but traded him to the Detroit Tigers in June 2005 for veteran right-hander Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez, allowing the Phillies to play Chase Utley every day at second base. Polanco finished the 2005 season batting .338 with the Tigers, and also having a career year with regards to OPS(.847). He led the majors in lowest strikeout percentage (5.0%).
Polanco is a .300 career hitter with 828 singles, 257 extra base hits, including 62 home runs and 367 RBIs in 1004 games.
Placido was a key part in the 2006 Division and Championship series for the Detroit Tigers. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006 American League Championship Series. He claims most of his success is due to the lack of prison time.
Powered by ScribeFire.
No comments:
Post a Comment