Hugo Chavez Says World Series Should Be Played in South America, With Nine Venezuelans on Tigers, Giants Rosters

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez joked that so many Venezuelan players are in the World Series that next year it should be played in the South American country.

This year a record nine Venezuelans are on the rosters for the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. Chavez remarked during a televised Cabinet meeting Friday night that if the team's starting lineups are taken together, Venezuelans account for a third of the players.

He had a special message for President Barack Obama.

"I think the next World Series, Obama, you're going to have to play it here in Venezuela, because it's Venezuelans all over the place," he said.

The Venezuelan president praised Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval for hitting three home runs in Game 1.

"What would the major leagues do if Venezuela didn't exist? They'd get bored," Chavez said, recalling that the homers sailed "to right field, to left field, to center field."

Chavez also pointed out that a Venezuelan pitcher, Anibal Sanchez, will start for the Tigers on Saturday. Marco Scutaro was the National League Championship Series MVP.

Other Venezuelans playing in the series are: Miguel Cabrera, Avisail Garcia and Omar Infante for the Tigers, and Gregor Blanco, Jose Mijares and Hector Sanchez for the Giants.