Venezuelans salute 'Panda Gigante' as Sandoval becomes 1st to win MVP in World Series

The Associated Press
San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval holds up his MVP trophy after Game 4 of baseball's World Series against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Detroit. The Giants won 4-3 to win the series. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, Pool )

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan fans are celebrating the selection of San Francisco Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval as the first-ever Venezuelan most valuable player in a World Series.

Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio sent congratulations on Twitter, calling Sandoval's performance great in the series that ended Sunday with the Giants sweeping the Detroit Tigers in four games.

Aparicio also referred to the possibility of the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera winning American League MVP, saying, in his words, "We should have two MVPs this year... don't you think?"

Other Venezuelans congratulating Sandoval included ex-major league pitcher Wilson Alvarez, golfer Jhonattan Vegas and local baseball league president Jose Grasso Vecchio.

The Venezuelan newspaper Meridiano covered its front page with a photo of Sandoval celebrating and a headline saluting his nickname Kung Fu Panda, reading: "Panda Gigante."