Although Roger Clemens has not decided whether he will play next year, but one official confirmed that Clemens has agreed to represent the United States, will play in World Baseball Classic next spring.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who wanted to pitch in 2004 Athens Olympic but failed (due to USA beaten by Mexico in qualify games), will have another chance to play for United States. Currently Clemens, 43, did not know if he will return to Astros in 2006, but he will keep workout this winter to prepare the World Baseball Classic.
According to MLB and one club source, Barry Bonds agreed to play in the Classic as long as his health permits, because one o his closet friends, Bobby Bonilla of the Players Association, are recruiting.
Other players who have extended early commitments to play include Pedro Martinez and Albert Pujols for the Dominican Republic team, Ivan Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran for Puerto Rico. Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui are expected to play for Japan, though those arrangements have yet to be completely finalized.
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Bobby Valentine, who manages Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, did not like World Baseball Classic, wants to see a true World Series between the best team from NPB and MLB.