Capítulo 187 de El Infield Podcast. Freddy Chersia, Carlos Valmore Rodríguez y Efraín Zavarce entrevistan a Jesús Vargas, autor de apenas el tercer juego sin hits ni carreras en la extensa historia de la Serie del Caribe. El pitcher de los Leones del Caracas en la LVBP, además de repasar su hazaña, confianza que tiene una oferta del beisbol taiwanés que lo hace dudar sobre la posibilidad de regresar a la pelota mexicana. Este capítulo de El Infield Podcast es presentado por Apuestas Royal.
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00:00.
00:13Baseball fans, welcome to a new edition of the Infield Podcast through Baseball Play.
00:19We greet Efraín Zavarce, Carlos Balmores Rodríguez and Freddy Chercia.
00:24Today we have the pleasure of having as a guest in the podcast a pitcher who has just made history in Caribbean baseball,
00:35Jesús Varga. Jesús, welcome to the Infield, thank you for accepting our invitation.
00:41Thank you, I am very happy. You have always been here supporting me.
00:47Thank God this year was great and we are here. Thank you very much.
00:57Jesús, you have told on several occasions how you lived that moment.
01:03But I think it is such a relevant event for the history of our baseball, for Caribbean baseball.
01:11Only three pitchers have made it to the room and you are one of those three.
01:16So, remind us again, take us to that moment, that inning, being in the dugout. How was it?
01:23Yes, look, that was something incredible. I was on show, really.
01:27Garcia was the one who threw himself on me in the dugout.
01:30I was in the dugout in the game, like in the seventh.
01:33I was already getting a little tired because I had been resting for nine days.
01:37I hadn't thrown, you know.
01:39So, the guys told me, you have to keep going.
01:42I knew I was bringing a tremendous game, but I wasn't thinking about the nose, you know.
01:47I was focused because we had to win this game, a very important game.
01:54Because if we lost, we were already out, you know.
01:57So, I never thought about the nose, but I got that win.
02:00I came out without pressure.
02:02And well, when I saw that in the seventh he threw the three pitchers, right?
02:06I breathed deeply and said, wow.
02:09When I saw that Amarita in the eighth threw the home run.
02:12You know, I was on show, on show.
02:14And there was a video of me with my eyes like that, like impressed.
02:17I mean, I didn't imagine it.
02:19And in itself, I think it was anxiety.
02:21I said, no, no, no.
02:22Because, you know, my first series in the Caribbean.
02:24The first time I was watching that.
02:26That there was a knockout and all that, yes.
02:28But I didn't know that the game was over, you know.
02:31And the minute I started, they threw me on top and I was...
02:34Well, until the next day I was on show.
02:36I mean, I didn't believe it.
02:38Because, damn, it's something very difficult, you know.
02:42That's one of the peculiarities.
02:44One of the things that caught our attention the most about your game.
02:48Is that who received it was Ali Sánchez.
02:50With whom you had never worked.
02:52That's why I ask you, the communication with him.
02:55Even though they didn't know each other as a drummer.
02:59Was it as good as it looked?
03:01How did we see it from outside in that meeting?
03:04Yes, look.
03:05Before the game, I...
03:07I mean, Ali had already communicated with me.
03:09We have communicated.
03:10Well, this...
03:11The first time he threw me.
03:12I mean, he was grabbing me there.
03:14So...
03:15But he already knew.
03:16I faced him in four games.
03:18The last four games were against Cardenales.
03:21When I was with Bravo.
03:22So, they already knew the way I was going to compete.
03:25I'm a person who's got a lot of nerves.
03:27I'm not a puncher.
03:29So...
03:30He told me that.
03:31Well, I know how you work.
03:33You throw a lot of strikes.
03:34You throw in and out.
03:35Without fear.
03:36You execute your throws.
03:37And he told me, let's go.
03:38Let's take it one by one.
03:40Let's throw the first pitch of the strike.
03:43That's what we did.
03:44Something that was different.
03:46I told him that it was what I worked the most.
03:48I didn't throw...
03:49I think I threw a single straight.
03:51It was pure sinker.
03:52It was pure sinker.
03:53I was working because...
03:54You know, I play in Mexico.
03:55And what is the sinker and the core in Mexico works a lot.
03:59Because the slider and the curve float too much.
04:02Do you understand?
04:03Because it's high.
04:04So, what we did was work with pure sinker and slider.
04:07That was the only pitch that I...
04:09That I worked with sinker, slider, sinker, slider.
04:11And as I saw that also the ball...
04:13The ball had too much seam.
04:16I mean, it was more in favor of the pitchers.
04:19Do you understand?
04:20And that's what we did.
04:21What we did was attack the area.
04:23I punched a lot.
04:24I think my first pitch was a 7.
04:27But I didn't focus on punching.
04:29I focused on getting the innings fast.
04:31Do you understand?
04:32And that's what I did.
04:33I think that was the success of the game.
04:35I had 6 innings.
04:37I had like 50 pitches.
04:39Something like that.
04:40I had a few pitches that I could follow.
04:42And I think that's what Lee and I talked about.
04:44And well, look.
04:45It was written in the game.
04:46And thank God the result came out.
04:49Jesus, what weak point did you detect from the Japanese hitters
04:53as soon as you started your work against them?
04:57Look.
04:58I think that the weak point of them is that they do a lot of swings.
05:00Do you understand?
05:01In the first inning, I got it with 5 pitches.
05:04They came to swing me once.
05:06So, I think that...
05:07On the one hand, it's good.
05:08On the other hand, no.
05:09The good thing is that if you execute your pitches,
05:12the innings come out fast.
05:14Do you understand?
05:15So, that's what we did.
05:17They're swinging.
05:18We're going to execute the pitches.
05:19Because you know how they're going to...
05:20And that's what it was.
05:21Rolly, fly.
05:22The innings came out fast.
05:23And I think that's a weak point.
05:25And in favor of the pitches.
05:27When you see that they swing a lot.
05:29You're executing the pitches.
05:30You're throwing the balls.
05:31You're going to swing.
05:32And maybe it's a rolly.
05:33Maybe it's a fly.
05:34Do you understand?
05:35And that's what came out in that game.
05:37Jesus.
05:38I really like to touch on the human part.
05:41Because people need to see their idols.
05:46The ball players.
05:47That.
05:48That they are ordinary human beings.
05:51Now.
05:52I'm telling you this on purpose.
05:55I would like to know.
05:57In the moment.
05:58In the next few hours.
06:00To get the No Hindo Run.
06:03I would like to know.
06:04How were the reactions of your family?
06:07What did they write to you?
06:08Who did it?
06:09What call did you have?
06:12How was that feeling?
06:14On a personal level.
06:15Of Jesus with his family.
06:17Yes.
06:18Look.
06:19What happens is that.
06:20It was already late in Venezuela.
06:21Do you understand me?
06:22But my parents.
06:23My mom.
06:24My dad was already asleep.
06:25He was already awake.
06:26It was my mom.
06:27And well.
06:28I talked to them.
06:29My mom didn't believe it.
06:30It was something.
06:31Impressive.
06:32I mean.
06:33Tears came out.
06:34Because it is something very difficult.
06:35Do you understand me?
06:36I have 10 years of career.
06:37And I think that.
06:38It's my first time out.
06:39That he threw 8 in.
06:40And he threw a No Hindo Run.
06:41In my career.
06:42Wow.
06:43It has been impressive.
06:44Do you understand me?
06:45Then.
06:46Then he sent me a message.
06:47Where.
06:48You know.
06:49So many sacrifices.
06:50And all that.
06:51And I got this.
06:52Look.
06:53I already felt proud.
06:54That everyone enjoyed it.
06:55The next day.
06:56They saw the game.
06:57And my dad's story.
06:58He stopped happy.
06:59And well.
07:00Here in Venezuela.
07:01And the whole town received me.
07:02As it was.
07:03Thank God.
07:04For that.
07:05During a conversation.
07:06During the season.
07:07Last year.
07:08In Venezuela.
07:09With the lions.
07:10I heard you say.
07:11That.
07:12You were a type of thrower.
07:13To which he did not like.
07:14Trust.
07:15Relax.
07:16Lose intensity.
07:17In those games.
07:18In which.
07:19I received a great advantage.
07:20In the first episodes.
07:21In this game.
07:22After the first two episodes.
07:23In the first two episodes.
07:24In the first two episodes.
07:25In the first two episodes.
07:26In the first two episodes.
07:27In the first two episodes.
07:28In the first two episodes.
07:29In the first two episodes.
07:31After those two first episodes.
07:32Your team won.
07:33For more than five races.
07:35I understand.
07:36By the result then.
07:38That you worked.
07:39That way.
07:40That is.
07:41As.
07:42If the game.
07:43Was knotted.
07:44Or because of yours.
07:45But.
07:46But one race.
07:47How important.
07:48That was.
07:49That thought.
07:50That way.
07:51To assume things in a game.
07:52As it is.
07:53Yes look.
07:54He've disowned me.
07:55In the game.
07:56Because he brought om a benefit.
07:57It was Embargo White.
07:58He told me to get out.
07:59The game is zero to zero.
08:00the pitching coach told me to go out and compete, that I should pitch by pitching, that the game
08:06is not over, that I should keep doing my game, executing my aggressive throws all the time,
08:12because sometimes when the game is like that, sometimes you get weak, you know, we are already winning by
08:17advantage, so I think that was a fundamental part of it, that I came out here aggressive and
08:23executing my throws, that helped me a lot and that was what I did, I went in and out and when
08:30I had seven innings, it was like, then they told me, you have to continue, you have to continue,
08:35the game is 0-0, keep trusting, keep trusting, don't get anything in your head, because there comes a
08:41moment that I was very thoughtful, you understand me? I think that if Marita is not a Ron, I don't know
08:45what would have happened, because at that moment it was where I was thinking the most, because I knew
08:50that I needed three A's to throw the No-Hit, you understand me? So, before you had said that you were not
08:57thinking about the No-Hit, but if you were aware that there was a situation of the No-Hit, I don't know
09:04from what moment you started to enter into that tune, right? Of assuming, hey, I'm in a process
09:12of No-Hit-No-Room. Yes, when I threw the three punches, as he said right now, I breathed
09:18deep, you understand me? I breathed deep and I said, wow, we are going to the eighth, there are only two left,
09:24then he took out the eighth, there I got nervous, I saw the screen and I said, look, there are only two
09:33guys left for the No-Hit and if not, I have to go out, you understand me? I have to go out, when I
09:36grabbed the eighth, they had already taken out the first side and I said, wow, I have to go out for the ninth,
09:42there I was talking to the guys, he told me, stay calm, stay calm, buddy, you are fine, you are fine,
09:47because I was in shock, I said, I have to go out and well, such a long game, we are already
09:54winning by advantage, I don't want to do it wrong, you understand me? Wrong in the sense that they are going to give me the
09:59Gio or something, because I have been fighting that in and out, so that happened like that, and I said, well,
10:06let it be what God wants, one came to Marito and one to Ron, and I said, wow, I don't know what would have happened,
10:15it is a moment where at least it happened to me, that is, the head begins to turn, thinking many things,
10:21how am I going to get out, what am I going to do, what pitch am I going to throw, you understand me? That is, taking care of that hit.
10:29Jesus, this year, of course, you in your team, the Lions of Caracas, you were taken as a
10:38backup by the Bravos and then by the Cardinals, when a player goes as a backup to a team,
10:45does he have a little more pressure than with his natural team?
10:49Yes, look, I checked that and I think I have heard it from several, being a backup is a very big responsibility,
10:57you understand me? You go there to put your little sand, to do your job, to help the team, because for some reason they are
11:02grabbing you, for some reason they are trusting you, and well, when I arrived at Bravos, I think I felt
11:09like a family, that was what helped me a lot, you understand me? They made me feel like a family,
11:12the union, the good vibe that was felt there in the team, we could lose, but, I mean, put music,
11:20X things, this is a game, you understand me? There are good days, bad days, but hey, I think that made me feel even better and I went out to compete and they gave me confidence.
11:30If you look at it, I was throwing 5, 2 thirds, 6 innings, so I think that helped me a lot with them,
11:37and well, I thank God that they gave me that great confidence and the good treatment, you understand me?
11:43You come from a very good campaign in Venezuela with these three teams that Freddy just mentioned.
11:49During the qualifying round, you averaged 1.8 tickets for each 9 episodes.
11:56You were more controlled than in any other experience in Venezuela, and that 1.8 is quite outstanding,
12:05because the average in LaLiga was exactly 4. Is there any reason, through which you can explain,
12:12why such a notable evolution in that aspect, such an important one, was there a special job,
12:18some change in your mechanics or selection of shipments that produced that?
12:26No, no, look, I want, as I said, I'm not a pitcher that punches a lot, I focus a lot on the area, you understand me?
12:34Intensity of the batters, I think that's one of the biggest advantages that I have, and well, I've always worked on that.
12:40I've always worked on the area, intensity of the batters, attack, the first pitch or strike,
12:46and well, I thank God that I came out of an organization that the Dodgers focus a lot on that, you understand me?
12:52The Dodgers work a lot on mechanics, improving the area, how to work on that aspect, you understand me?
13:02And I think that, well, I thank God that I come out of that, and that helped me a lot, that helped me a lot.
13:06I had a plan, after they operated on me in the Tormillón in 2018, that's when I made the change,
13:12I made the change because, what happens, I made the Tormillón in Los Angeles, and I was surrounded by people from the big leagues, you understand me?
13:20That helped me improve, Julio Uria, Pedro Valls, Jimmy Garcia, so they put me in a plan where,
13:28I threw a burpee and they put me in front of the home, you understand me? In front of the plate, and there I located the pitchers,
13:34and they told me, when you're throwing your retrata in the inside corner, in the outside corner, you're perfect,
13:39you pass it back, and if they pass it there, you're in the area, that's what helped me a lot, you understand me?
13:44So, what happens, all my burpees were like that, well, we're going to throw 20 pitchers, we're going to throw 10 in front of the home,
13:50in the corners, don't put anything in the middle, that's what I talk about a lot with the catchers when they pitch,
13:55they put themselves in my game, I always locate the corners, nothing in the middle, if I come in the middle, it's because I'm under the count, you understand me?
14:03But that helped me a lot, nowadays I feel good, and thanks to that I've been able to locate, I'm still locating that area, and that's what made me improve.
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14:42Jesus, in the first cut, you said, I come from Mexico, and it's supposed that you're going to return to Mexico,
14:49Los Pericos de Puebla, during 2025, you're part of their reserve in this campaign that's about to start,
14:57is that how it's written, on stone, or after this good campaign, in the Caribbean, is there an opportunity to play in another league?
15:08Yes, look, I'm waiting, I'm in communication with my agent,
15:13let's see what comes out, I'm not 100% sure that I'll go to Mexico, because they're looking for me,
15:18I'm in communication with several teams, from Taiwan, I want to go back to the NBA, I live organized, so let's wait and see.
15:25In Taiwan there's a team that's interested, but right now they have their 5 openings, you have to wait and see what opportunity opens up.
15:34They're looking for the best solution, but in Mexico there's a fee that you have to pay,
15:42if you're part of a team in Mexico, or a team abroad, they have to pay a lot of money,
15:48and right now we're in communication, I think this week I'll decide what I'm going to do,
15:52and let's wait and see, I want to go back, I live organized, or go to Taiwan, it's a big opportunity,
16:00the important thing is that I have health, and this season I showed it,
16:04thank God I had a very positive result, I know that many doors can be opened for me.
16:11What knowledge do you have of that Taiwan league?
16:15It's hard, it's hard, and I'd like it, because you leave the United States and a lot of people go to Spain,
16:25I think I'm going to learn a lot from that league, and it's something new,
16:31when you say, well, United States, Taiwan, there's people that go there, I have a lot of friends,
16:37and they tell me that that league is strong, the way they work, and I like to work,
16:44and I want to go there to take advantage of that, and see what opportunity opens up for me.
16:50I was going to ask you that, who have you spoken to that has given you some kind of reference?
16:57Yes, I've spoken to Franco, that they can find me, they were with me in the Premier 12,
17:05and I spoke to a lot of people, Gerardo Parra spoke to me a lot about that league that was in Japan,
17:11so we're looking to see what God has in store for us, and well, let's hope for God.
17:18Jesus, you're about to turn 27 in August, there have been Venezuelan launchers,
17:26that even at 30 years of age, they made their debut in the big leagues,
17:32and they had longer careers there than was expected, I'm talking about Yan Machi,
17:40I'm talking about Junior Guerra, that is still so active in the LBBP,
17:45you even launched in AAA not long ago, you're talking about the big leagues,
17:52do you still have that desire, do you think it's possible to go back to the big leagues,
17:59you said it before in the previous answer, but how feasible do you see that possibility
18:09of being able to launch in the big leagues?
18:14Yes, I think it's a dream of every footballer, I made my debut in the big leagues,
18:19I've achieved a lot, I've represented Venezuela, I've been a champion here in Venezuela,
18:25I've been a champion representing the country, so I think that would be one of my dreams,
18:35and like I said, I don't lose hope, and I hope that God gives me that opportunity,
18:40like I said, I want to go back, live organized, or if not, I'll go to Taiwan,
18:44but let's hope, let's see what happens, I thank God that I have health,
18:49and here we go, here we go, everything is going well as they say.
18:54And after this season that you were here,
18:56did any big league team show up there?
19:01Well, my agent was in communication with several teams,
19:04what happens is that right now, you know, a lot of leagues have been eliminated,
19:10that complicates everything, you know, so we have to wait and see if there is a pupo,
19:17I was in communication with Enri Blanco, with Ricky, with Geraldo Parra,
19:23they are people who work in the big leagues, and well, they reported it, I read the report,
19:29let's hope to see what happens, I keep in communication with all of them, and well, let's see.
19:37Enri Blanco, Ricky Bones, Gerardo Parra, all of them work for the Washington Nationals,
19:43we understand one of the teams that received a recommendation
19:48to sign you, at least to see you.
19:53Jesus, you grew up in Chuzpa, in the far west of the central coast,
19:59for us, Caracas people, it's a very different place to where we live,
20:06and very pleasant, due to the differences.
20:10Having grown up there, tell us, how was your childhood there,
20:16and how did that influence you to become a football player?
20:20Because the truth is that in all of that area, the number of football players that have come out,
20:25especially during the last 10 years, it's impressive.
20:30Yes, look, it's a very small town, a town of two streets, you know what I mean?
20:33I think that there, one studies, and the other plays football.
20:37We play a lot of rubber balls, on the beach, on the field,
20:43then they put a stadium there, and well, I come from that little town, I feel proud to come there,
20:49you know, the humility, the humility that exists in that town is something big,
20:54and nothing, that so many football players come out, and as I told you,
20:57there you go, and you see a kid with a stick and a brush, we play a lot of rubber balls,
21:02and well, from the age of 5 or 6, I came to La Guaira, to a little school,
21:07because there was no school at that time up there, until I was 13 years old,
21:11and I played on the weekends here, and then I went to Chuzpa, you know what I mean?
21:15So, but I think I developed myself there, playing only beach ball.
21:22What do you like the most about Chuzpa?
21:24The river, the beach, and something calm, a calm town, you know?
21:30You don't walk, there are no problems, it's safe, and well, I really enjoy being there,
21:37because as I told you, I spend all day on the beach with my family,
21:40I don't go to the river, and that's how I spend my days there.
21:44Well, Jesus, thank you very much for giving us part of your time,
21:50and the greatest of successes in the next season,
21:54whether you go to play in Mexico or Taiwan.
21:57For now, we say goodbye, Carlos Balmores Rodríguez,
22:00Efraín Zavarze and Freddy Chercia,
22:02it will be until a new edition of Infield Podcast, through Baseball Play.
22:20you