SouthernWorldwide.com – A former pitcher for the New York Mets, Jenrry Mejia, has recounted a harrowing escape from death during recent earthquakes in Venezuela, attributing his survival to a fortunate elevator malfunction.
Mejia, who currently plays in the Venezuelan Major League, believes divine intervention played a role when an elevator malfunctioned, saving his life as earthquakes struck.
Speaking to a Dominican radio station, Mejia explained that he had just finished a workout at the Hotel Eduards in La Guaira. Instead of proceeding to his intended floor, the elevator unexpectedly took him to the lobby, allowing him to exit just before the building began to collapse.
“I was in the gym area. And at that moment, I took the elevator to leave,” Mejia told “Mañana Deportiva.”
“In fact, I had pressed number 6, which was where my floor was. But… I think it was God because instead of going up, it went down to the basement,” he continued. “The door opened directly into the lobby. That’s when I came out and the building started to collapse.”
Mejia managed to help an elderly man out of the hotel. He believes they are the only two individuals to have survived the collapse of that particular hotel.
“The others are still there, trapped under the rubble,” he stated grimly.
The hotel was reportedly accommodating families of players and staff members from the Delfines and Guerreros de Lara baseball teams. Relatives of former MLB players Eliezer Alfonso and Gorkys Hernández were among those staying at the hotel and are now reported missing.
Jenrry Mejia had a notable career with the New York Mets, pitching for them in parts of five seasons. He even served as their closer in 2014, the year before the team reached the World Series.
However, Mejia’s career in Major League Baseball was cut short when he became the first player to receive a lifetime ban for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. His issues began with an 80-game suspension in 2015, followed by a 162-game suspension after a second positive test. A third positive test the following February led to his permanent ban.
He has since applied for and been granted reinstatement, but he has not pitched in the major leagues since his ban. He did, however, play in the minor leagues for the Boston Red Sox organization.
The earthquakes in Venezuela have had a devastating impact, with the death toll rising to 589 and thousands reported missing.
In a brighter note for Venezuelan sports, the national team recently won the World Baseball Classic earlier this year.
