No Moment Of Silence For Chavez Prior To Venezuela-Marlins Game

The Marlins "elected not to have a moment of silence" for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose death was announced "a couple hours before" last night's Spring Training game against Team Venezuela in Jupiter, Fla. A Marlins spokesperson said that all parties involved, including MLB, "agreed to not have the moment of silence" that was requested by a Team Venezuela rep. Hector Rodriguez, the country's Minister of Sports, called Team Venezuela and said they should "concentrate on sports and leave political stuff out" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/6).

The "flag was lowered at one point as Team Venezuela was taking batting practice, but it was raised moments later." The decisions regarding the flag and the moment of silence "were made jointly" by the Marlins, MLB and Roger Dean Stadium (PALM BEACH POST, 3/6).