{"id":1243,"date":"2009-06-01T18:00:56","date_gmt":"2009-06-02T01:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2009\/06\/01\/la-radio-del-comedor-the-living-room-radio\/"},"modified":"2009-06-01T18:02:52","modified_gmt":"2009-06-02T01:02:52","slug":"la-radio-del-comedor-the-living-room-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2009\/06\/01\/la-radio-del-comedor-the-living-room-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"La radio del comedor (The Living room radio)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is the preface to this writer’s book<\/em>, El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo del Be\u00c3\u00adsbol. Una biograf\u00c3\u00ada de Isa\u00c3\u00adas Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez. (The Baseball’s whip. An Isa\u00c3\u00adas Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez biography).<\/p>\n

La serenata de los grillos paralizaba el cielo vespertino de finales de octubre de 1967. Pap\u00c3\u00a1 dej\u00c3\u00b3 el cuchillo y el tenedor en el plato. Se sob\u00c3\u00b3 la barriga y se levant\u00c3\u00b3 de la mesa. Felipe abri\u00c3\u00b3 los ojos hacia el radio de 70x30x50 cm que descansaba sobre una mesita al fondo del comedor.<\/p>\n

Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario sabore\u00c3\u00b3 un bocado de papas fritas. -\u00c2\u00bfHoy juega Magallanes?<\/p>\n

Felipe se acerc\u00c3\u00b3 al radio.-Si. Y va a pitchear el L\u00c3\u00a1tigo. Hoy si vamos a ganar.<\/p>\n

Me qued\u00c3\u00a9 mirando a mis hermanos. Me rod\u00c3\u00a9 hacia la orilla de la silla y afinqu\u00c3\u00a9 los pies en el piso.-\u00c2\u00bfQui\u00c3\u00a9n es el L\u00c3\u00a1tigo, Felipe?<\/p>\n

Felipe toc\u00c3\u00b3 un interruptor en la parte posterior del radio y se encendi\u00c3\u00b3 el vidrio verde oscuro plagado de n\u00c3\u00bameros amarillos por donde corr\u00c3\u00ada una aguja roja. -C\u00c3\u00b3nchale \u00c2\u00bfc\u00c3\u00b3mo te explico Alfonsito? Es un pitcher que cada vez que juega hace todo para que Magallanes gane.<\/p>\n

Segu\u00c3\u00ad mirando a Felipe. -\u00c2\u00bfY que es un pitcher?<\/p>\n

Felipe puso los brazos en jarra. -\u00c2\u00bfViste? Primero tienes que aprender sobre b\u00c3\u00a9isbol.<\/p>\n

Pap\u00c3\u00a1 impregn\u00c3\u00b3 el comedor con la fragancia de s\u00c3\u00a1ndalo de la loci\u00c3\u00b3n para despu\u00c3\u00a9s de afeitar.-Felipe. Nosotros vamos a salir a una reuni\u00c3\u00b3n. T\u00c3\u00ba quedas encargado de la casa. No quiero relajos.<\/p>\n

Mam\u00c3\u00a1 se acerc\u00c3\u00b3 hasta donde yo ve\u00c3\u00ada como Felipe mov\u00c3\u00ada la aguja roja por el vidrio verde oscuro con una perilla blanca.-P\u00c3\u00b3rtate bien Alfonsito.<\/p>\n

Luego camin\u00c3\u00b3 hacia la cocina y habl\u00c3\u00b3 con las muchachas del servicio dom\u00c3\u00a9 stico.La puerta de la calle se cerr\u00c3\u00b3 tras mis padres.<\/p>\n

Felipe grit\u00c3\u00b3. -Ahora si vamos a escuchar el juego.<\/p>\n

Me qued\u00c3\u00a9 mirando como Felipe y Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario afinaban los movimientos de la aguja roja.<\/p>\n

Norys empez\u00c3\u00b3 a recoger los platos de la mesa. -Muchachos \u00c2\u00bfno vamos a aprovechar de o\u00c3\u00adr m\u00c3\u00basica?<\/p>\n

Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario volte\u00c3\u00b3 hacia la mesa. -Vamos a escuchar el juego de pelota.<\/p>\n

Est\u00c3\u00adlita paraliz\u00c3\u00b3 la escoba.-Ah no. Eso es muy fastidioso. Vamos a oir m\u00c3\u00basica muchachos.<\/p>\n

Felipe se par\u00c3\u00b3 delante del radio. -Nosotros estamos esperando este juego desde esta ma\u00c3\u00b1ana.<\/p>\n

Norys me agarr\u00c3\u00b3 por una mano. -Bueno estamos empatados. Que Alfonsito diga que vamos a oir en el radio.<\/p>\n

Me qued\u00c3\u00a9 mirando a mis hermanos. -Vamos a o\u00c3\u00adr m\u00c3\u00basica.<\/p>\n

Est\u00c3\u00adlita y Norys brincaron con una sonrisa. Felipe y Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario ladearon la cabeza y se alejaron del radio. En pocos segundos la aguja roja puso a sonar una melod\u00c3\u00ada de un ritmo pegajoso. A\u00c3\u00ban recuerdo los sonidos percusivos de “El Cable”. Viajo a ese comedor cada vez que escucho esas notas musicales. A las 9 y 30 de la noche las muchachas debieron ir a realizar una tarea en la cocina. Felipe y Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario aprovecharon para llevar la aguja roja hasta el juego. “…y cuando vamos para el octavo inning Magallanes sigue derrotando al Valencia 1-0. El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez y Roberto Mu\u00c3\u00b1oz en tremenda exhibici\u00c3\u00b3n de pitcheo”. Mis hermanos casi se metieron dentro del radio. Esa voz emocionada removi\u00c3\u00b3 las fibras de mi curiosidad. Ten\u00c3\u00ada que saber qui\u00c3\u00a9n era ese L\u00c3\u00a1tigo que desconectaba a mis hermanos de sus bromas y juegos por m\u00c3\u00a1s de 2 horas cada 4 d\u00c3\u00adas.<\/p>\n

Las muchachas regresaron al comedor. Fruncieron el ce\u00c3\u00b1o. Se acercaron al radio.<\/p>\n

-Vamos a seguir oyendo m\u00c3\u00basica.<\/p>\n

Felipe subi\u00c3\u00b3 el volumen del radio. “…en el cierre del noveno Valencia tiene el empate en circulaci\u00c3\u00b3n con un out. El manager del Magallanes va a relevar al L\u00c3\u00a1tigo. Escuchen los aplausos. Isa\u00c3\u00adas regresa al dugout luego de un magn\u00c3\u00adfico trabajo”. Yo no sab\u00c3\u00ada nada de pelota y me encontr\u00c3\u00a9 al lado de Felipe escuchando el juego. Las muchachas acercaron unas sillas y alargaron los cuellos hacia el radio. A partir de ese momento empec\u00c3\u00a9 a indagar sobre el b\u00c3\u00a9isbol. Porque quer\u00c3\u00ada saber con propiedad lo que pasaba en un juego donde lanzara el L\u00c3\u00a1tigo. En la temporada 68-69 conoc\u00c3\u00ada algo m\u00c3\u00a1s del juego. Pero una lesi\u00c3\u00b3n en el brazo de lanzar impidi\u00c3\u00b3 que vi\u00c3\u00a9ramos jugar al L\u00c3\u00a1tigo.<\/p>\n

Luego el accidente de marzo de 1969 me dej\u00c3\u00b3 con la inc\u00c3\u00b3gnita de vivir un juego del L\u00c3\u00a1tigo. Por eso escribo todas las p\u00c3\u00a1ginas que siguen. Para entrar al estadio de ese juego a trav\u00c3\u00a9s de documentos, testimonios, an\u00c3\u00a9cdotas e inspiraciones.<\/p>\n

English Translation<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the last days of October,1967, crickets\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 serenaded the evening sky at Cumanacoa, Venezuela. Dad placed his fork and knife over his plate, massaged his belly and rose. Felipe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gaze went to the radio resting on a little table at the end of the living room. Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario ate french fries. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Does Magallanes play today?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Felipe approached the radio. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcEl L\u00c3\u00a1tigo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is going to pitch. Magallanes is going to win the game today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I looked at my brothers. I slipped to the chair\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s edge and touched the floor on tip toes.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who is \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcEl L\u00c3\u00a1tigo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, Felipe?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Felipe turned on a switch at the back of the radio. The green glass with a lot of little yellow numbers lighted. A red needle ran through the glass. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heck. How do I explain it to you, Alfonsito? He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a pitcher. Each time he plays. He does everything for Magallanes to win the ballgame.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I kept looking at Felipe. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a pitcher?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Felipe placed his arms on his hips. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you see? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to learn about baseball.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The sandalwood scent of Dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s aftershave filled the room. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Felipe. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to a meeting. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in charge of the house. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want any mess.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Mom came to where I saw how Felipe moved the red needle through the dark green glass handling a white knob. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Behave well, Alfonsito.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Then she moved to the kitchen and talked to the maids. The door closed behind my parents.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time to listen to the ball game,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Felipe shouted.<\/p>\n

I kept looking at how Felipe and Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario sought for the baseball broadcast by moving the red needle.<\/p>\n

Norys began to collect the plates from the table. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Boys. Aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we going to listen some music?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario turned to the table. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to listen to the ballgame.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Estilita stopped sweeping. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on boys. That game is boring. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s listen some music.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nFelipe stood up in front of the radio. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have been waiting for this game since this morning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Norys took me by the hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re even. Let Alfonsito decide what are we going to listen on the radio.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I glanced at my brothers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s listen music.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Estilita and Norys jumped with a smile. Felipe and Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario migrated to the opposite side of the room with their sights on the floor. In a few seconds the red needle brought a melody with a lively rythm. I still remember the percussive sounds of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcEl cable\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. I go to that living room each time I listen to those musical notes. At nine thirty the girls had to go to the kitchen. Felipe and Jes\u00c3\u00bas Mario moved the red needle to the ball game. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and at the top of the eighth inning the Magallanes continues beating the Valencia 1-0. El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez and Roberto Mu\u00c3\u00b1oz are in a tremendous pitching duel.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d My brothers almost jumped inside the radio. That voice full of emotion shocked my curiosity. I had to know who that Latigo was. He could disconnect my brothers from their teasing and games for more than two hours each four days.<\/p>\n

The girls got back to the living room. Their faces wrinkled as they got close to the radio. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s play some music.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Felipe could get rid of the radio. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6at the bottom of the ninth Valencia have the tying run on base with one out. The Magallanes skipper is going to relieve El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo. Listen to the ovation. El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo returns to the dugout after a great performance.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know anything about baseball but I ended at Felipe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side listening to the broadcast. The girls brought chairs. Their necks stretched as they listened. From this moment on I started searching about the baseball game. Because I wanted to know in depth what happened in a game where El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo played. In the 1968-1969 season I knew a little bit more about baseball. But an injury in his throwing arm kept me from seeing a game where El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo played.<\/p>\n

El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo died in a plane crash on March 16th, 1969. This fact left me with the desire to know what a game with El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo on the mound would be. This is the reason I write the following pages. To go into the park of that game through documents, interviews, anecdotes, inspirations.<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The following is the preface to this writer’s book, El L\u00c3\u00a1tigo del Be\u00c3\u00adsbol. Una biograf\u00c3\u00ada de Isa\u00c3\u00adas Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez. (The Baseball’s whip. An Isa\u00c3\u00adas Ch\u00c3\u00a1vez biography).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t