Born January 23 1928, Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel passed
away May 26 2005, after a long battle with Kidney disease and diabetes.
Chico earned a reputation as an extroadinary baseball player. He
played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams. His major league career
began with the White Sox, where he played shortstop from 1950 to
1955. He ended his big league playing career in 1959. "el Chico"
was the third Venezuelan to play in the majors. In 1951 Carrasquel
became the first Latin American player to be selected to participate
in an All Star game.
Carrasquel would go on to be selected to the All Star team a total
of four times. Chico possessed an intense love for his native
Venezuela that is unmatched. His desire for the poor children
of Venezuela to grow a better future is the basis upon which this
foundation is built. His diligent efforts are an inspiration to
us all. We shall endeavor to carry on the mission of this foundation
in his memory. We only hope that we can live up to his example,
and Chico will smile down upon us from his place in Heaven
.
As I write this I remember sitting at his kitchen table in Chicago
Aougust of 2004 I asked Chico if it would be ok if I started a foundation
in his name. He had a big smile and his eyes lit up.
I asked him if someday we could get retired Venezuelan ball players
like Aparicio, Davillo, Galleragas, Armas and others to go to the
barrios and talk to the kids to give them inspiration just like
the inspiratio he gave to so many young people.
He said "Joe, I know everybody. We will get everybody to
help" ! I said "and maybe, if we have money we can even
pay them". He said, "No, I'll just buy them lunch"
(His exact words ) !
I always thought that there would be time for him to see his foundation
become successful but now there won't be and I am so very sad about
this.
But we will carry on in his name and work even harder to make the
CHico Carrasquel Foundation successful so that he will be proud
of us and our mission to help Venezuelan kids. Chico has passed,
but his name will live on. THe children in Petare, Catia, 23 de
Enero and every barrio from Puerto La Curz to Maracaibo will know
who Chico was and is.
We will miss Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel. We are blessed
that we knew him.
