Royals Leo Nunez Was Not Leo Nunez

**gblowfish** · 09-23-2011, 08:39 AM

This makes me feel better about the Mike Jacobs trade, because in KC we all learned in a hurry Mike Jacobs was not Mike Jacobs either!

http://tinyurl.com/3kenzpk

AP: Florida’s Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name

Leo Nunez apparently not who we thought he was.

The Associated Press reports that the Florida Marlins closer and Dominican native has been playing under an assumed name for all seven of his years in Major League Baseball and is actually older than the age that's listed by the team.

The news came to light on Thursday as Nunez returned to the Dominican Republic to sort the issue out and was placed on the Marlins' restricted list. It probably goes without saying that he is not expected to pitch for the Marlins the last week of the season.

Nunez was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 and played four years with the Kansas City Royals before landing the closer's job in south Florida in 2009.

(Two sources) said the Marlins have been aware of the issue for several months ... One of the people said Nunez's real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he's 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide.

Though Thursday's news was sudden, it shouldn't come as a total shock. Young players in Latin America have been known to forge identification or assume other identities in order to appear younger and secure better signing bonuses. Back in 2009, Sports Illustrated revealed that a 19-year-old Washington Nationals prospect named Esmailyn Gonzalez was actually a 23-year-old named Carlos Lugo. The fraud prompted the FBI to investigate the possible skimming of foreign players' signing bonuses and the incident cost GM Jim Bowden and front office assistant Jose Rijo their jobs. Lugo, meanwhile, returned to the Nationals under his correct name this year for extended spring training.

How this will all sort out for Nunez/Oviedo is anybody's guess, but there's a lot at stake for him. After saving 92 games for the Marlins over the last three seasons, he's about to enter his third and final year of arbitration and would enter free agency in 2013.

Deberg_1990 · 09-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Are there any Asian or Latin players who dont lie about their age anymore? The rule of thumb seems to be that you can add 2-4 years age to each player.

**gblowfish** · 09-23-2011, 08:50 AM

They fudge their ages so they can get bigger signing bonuses, like rolling back the odometer on a used car...

Rooster · 09-23-2011, 08:50 AM

I blame the Little League World Series.

phisherman · 09-23-2011, 09:14 AM

can't wait to see how old Pujols really is.

Valiant · 09-23-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phisherman

can't wait to see how old Pujols really is.

We have talked about this before as a few of us were in his class.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-23-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phisherman

can't wait to see how old Pujols really is.

Ands that his real name is Les Manly.

Mama Hip Rockets · 09-23-2011, 06:47 PM

Who cares if he's 28 or 29?

phisherman · 09-23-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

We have talked about this before as a few of us were in his class.

i think he was a sophomore when i graduated from truman. he did not look like he was a high school kid, that's for sure. he hit a ton, even back then.

09-23-2011, 08:39 AM
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17596178 VARSITY	Leo Nunez Was Not Leo Nunez This makes me feel better about the Mike Jacobs trade, because in KC we all learned in a hurry Mike Jacobs was not Mike Jacobs either! http://tinyurl.com/3kenzpk AP: Florida’s Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name Leo Nunez apparently not who we thought he was. The Associated Press reports that the Florida Marlins closer and Dominican native has been playing under an assumed name for all seven of his years in Major League Baseball and is actually older than the age that's listed by the team. The news came to light on Thursday as Nunez returned to the Dominican Republic to sort the issue out and was placed on the Marlins' restricted list. It probably goes without saying that he is not expected to pitch for the Marlins the last week of the season. Nunez was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 and played four years with the Kansas City Royals before landing the closer's job in south Florida in 2009. (Two sources) said the Marlins have been aware of the issue for several months ... One of the people said Nunez's real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he's 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide. Though Thursday's news was sudden, it shouldn't come as a total shock. Young players in Latin America have been known to forge identification or assume other identities in order to appear younger and secure better signing bonuses. Back in 2009, Sports Illustrated revealed that a 19-year-old Washington Nationals prospect named Esmailyn Gonzalez was actually a 23-year-old named Carlos Lugo. The fraud prompted the FBI to investigate the possible skimming of foreign players' signing bonuses and the incident cost GM Jim Bowden and front office assistant Jose Rijo their jobs. Lugo, meanwhile, returned to the Nationals under his correct name this year for extended spring training. How this will all sort out for Nunez/Oviedo is anybody's guess, but there's a lot at stake for him. After saving 92 games for the Marlins over the last three seasons, he's about to enter his third and final year of arbitration and would enter free agency in 2013.
Posts: 40,843

09-23-2011, 08:48 AM	#2
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3694454	Are there any Asian or Latin players who dont lie about their age anymore? The rule of thumb seems to be that you can add 2-4 years age to each player.
Posts: 66,914

09-23-2011, 08:50 AM	#3
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17596178 VARSITY	They fudge their ages so they can get bigger signing bonuses, like rolling back the odometer on a used car...
Posts: 40,843

09-23-2011, 08:50 AM	#4
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	I blame the Little League World Series. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

09-23-2011, 09:14 AM	#5
phisherman King Sandbagger Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Summit, MO Casino cash: $1295484	can't wait to see how old Pujols really is.
Posts: 3,825

09-23-2011, 06:47 PM	#8
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $10005644	Who cares if he's 28 or 29?
Posts: 13,675