Marlins Closer Isn’t Who He Says He Is
September 23, 2011 - 12:04 am by Ryan Phillips
Apparently Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez is a real-life Don Draper. The (supposedly) 28-year-old right hander has apparently been playing under an assumed name, and was forced to return to his native Dominican Republic on Thursday to clear up some immigration issues.
Two sources claim the Marlins have known about Nunez’s “issues” for months, but team officials haven’t made any public comments yet. One of the sources says the pitcher’s real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo, and he is actually 29.
Frankly, I can’t understand why he went with the name change. When I hear Juan Carlos Oviedo I think of a high-class drug dealer from Colombia. When I hear Leo Nunez I think of…a low class drug dealer from the Bronx.
“Nunez” or whatever the hell is name is has an agent whose name we know. It’s Andy Mota and he declined to comment.
Nunez has officially been placed on Major League Baseball’s restricted list and was “suspended by the Marlins for undisclosed reasons.” He will reportedly miss the remainder of the season while the issue is sorted out.
A baseball source has also stated that in order for Nunez to ever be reinstated he must clear up the immigration issues and sort out some missing paperwork.
Nunez has had a breakout season, he has 36 saves, a 4.06 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP in 68 games. He has performed well and is in his final season of arbitration eligibility, which means his salary is likely to jump considerably. No word on how this will alter his status in Florida’s future plans.
Nunez broke into the majors with the Kansas City Royals in 2005, and was traded to the Marlins before the 2009 season.
One Response to “Marlins Closer Isn’t Who He Says He Is”
He’s also been impersonating a closer, too. I realize that he has improved. But, I’m still as nervous as a cat when I see him on the mound. It’s a good time to get us a new closer, isn’t it, Ozzie?
By Ugglalover on Sep 29, 2011