New York and Boston may be a little busy right now with that Super Bowl thing to worry about where Johan Santana will land if he leaves the Twins. Yet, there is somewhere else that’s on perpetual pins and needles when it comes to Johan’s move. That place is Tovar, Venezuela, Santana’s hometown. There, he’s taken on a life of mythic proportions, the little boy who sold bread out of the back of truck who done good and grew up to win the Cy Young. And how you do you thank people who have supported you? Party-hearty of course. Hope the little kids that look up to him don’t get too drunk.

Now known as El Gocho, a somewhat derogatory name given to people from the Andean region, Santana has thrown the most popular party in town two years running: El Cy Youngazo, or the Great Cy Young.

No matter which team Santana ends up with, thousands of people will join him in December for the next El Cy Youngazo. Gifts will be passed out, musical groups will entertain the crowds, and beer provided by Santana’s sponsor, Regional, will be abundant.

Awesome, so he’s like a real life Santa Claus if he owned a beer distributorship. From now on, he will be known as Santana Claus, bringer of good times and low ERAs.

Santana’s Hometown Awaits His Next Move [NY Times]
Image [NY Times]