JUPITER, Fla. – In Jupiter, the Miami Marlins played the Venezuelan national team in an exhibition game at Roger Dean Stadium Tuesday night, where many fans had Hugo Chavez on their minds.
Venezuela's team reportedly asked for the flags to fly at half-staff and for a moment of silence for Chavez before the game. There was no moment of silence; some fans said the flag was at half-staff briefly before they were taken all the way up for the remainder of the game.
Fans cheering for Venezuela said they came to the game with much more on their minds than baseball.
"I'm happy. I don't care. Hugo Chavez died today," said fan Antontio Quintero.
Rhima Pinto, a baseball fan with family in Venezuela, said they reported a calm on the streets after the news of Chavez' death.
"When I heard he had passed away, I couldn't believe it, and I still don't," Pinto said.
"It is terrible news for a human being," said baseball fan Juan Chacon. "But we have to be strong as a country, as a people, and we have to be together."