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It's not at all uncommon for athletes in the United States to make a second career in politics when their playing days are over. This phenomenon isn't limited to the U.S., though. It's also a trend in the Dominican Republic. The latest Dominican athlete to make the jump is 1992 National League Rookie of the Year and former NL All-Star Raul Mondesi. The LA Times reported Wednesday that Mondesi, who's twice been elected to his home country's Chamber of Deputies (the equivalent of our House of Representatives), is now running for mayor of his hometown of San Cristobal. Juan Encarnacion, whose playing career recently ended after a horrific eye injury, and Jose Rijo, who was fired from the Nationals' front office during their bonus-skimming scandal, are also among the large number of baseball players entering Dominican politics.
The Times' story also points out that players like Mondesi are being used for their star power, not political acumen. Once elected, most players are expected to vote straight with their party line, even if they can't explain the positions. Mondesi has been affiliated with both major Dominican parties during his time in office and his mayoral campaign doesn't actually involve a primary; his party will just select either him or Rijo based on who they think will be more popular in an election.
Mondesi's been out of baseball since 2005, though his career was mostly over after a controversial 2004 in which both the Pirates and Angels terminated contracts with Mondesi. While with the Pirates he returned to the Dominican Republic to deal with a lawsuit and when he wasn't communicative with the team, they released him. He quickly signed with the Angels, injured himself, and he was released by them for not sticking to a rehab schedule. Of course, now that we know he had a lucrative career as a nightclub owner and figurehead politician waiting for him back home, it all makes more sense.
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