Suicide bombers hit three hotels frequented by westerners in Baghdad yesterday. When I read about it, I’ll admit, my first thought wasn’t “Oh God, I hope Chris Coghlan is safe!” Indeed, I had actually forgot all about the Marlins’ Iraq trip. Still, it’s good to hear this from Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald:
Just got off the phone with Marlins communications vice president P.J. Loyello, who said a contingent of Marlins bound for Iraq landed in Kuwait this morning, not long after suicide bombers blasted three Baghdad hotels in neighboring Iraq. “They’re safe,” said Loyello, who has been in contact with the traveling party. “They’re not in Iraq at the moment. They have landed (in Kuwait) and they’re in good hands.”
The trip includes manager Fredi Gonzalez, team president Larry Beinfest, Coghlan, catcher John Baker, and four Mermaids cheerleaders.
No worries, Mrs. Beinfest: I’m sure the gender balance of the delegation is a purely political consideration.