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World Baseball Classic Blog

• Cuba will play in World Baseball Classic

  09Dec
  Categories: Cuba, Pool C, WBC2006 Comments: 1

  Based on top sports official, Cuba will participate in the World Baseball Classic next spring, confirming earlier remarks by President Fidel Castro.

  “With respect to the World Classic, I adhere to the words of Fidel on the two occasions he spoke about (the event),” Cuban Vice President Jose Ramon Fernandez, president of the Cuba’s Olympic Committee said.

  A Panamanian newspaper reported earlier this month that Castro said Cuba would play in the inaugural, tournament in March. Before that, during a televised speech in Havana, the Cuban leader gave some the impression he was confirming Cuba’s participation but he never referred to the World Baseball Classic by name.

  Cuba competes with Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico in Pool C, is schedule to play at San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium at first two rounds. Right now we still did not know which Cuban players would be on the team.

• Sadaharu Oh want Matsui to play

  09Dec
  Categories: Japan, Pool A, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Manager Sadaharu Oh said he wants New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui on Japan’s 30-man roster for the inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring.

  “Would I put him in? Certainly,” Oh said.

  Matsui has yet to confirm his plans, saying only that he has yet to receive a formal invitation. He recently told Japanese reporters that he has not decided whether he would like to participate in the World Baseball Classic or not.

  Last week it was reported that Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners will join the Japan team. Oh also said that he has offered roster spots to Chicago White Sox infielder Tadahito Iguchi and San Diego Padres pitcher Akinori Otsuka.

  A formal announcement on Japan’s roster will be made Friday by Oh and other officials from Nippon Professional Baseball.

  Japan will be with South Korea, China and Taiwan of Pool A, which is scheduled to play in Tokyo Dome on March 3-5. Top two teams will advanced to second round.

  Clock is ticking for Bernie
  Oh would like Matsui to play for Japan
  Oh to put Matsui in Japan squad for World Baseball Classic

• Sammy Sosa wants to play for Dominican Republic

  09Dec
  Categories: Dominican Republic, Pool D, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Outfielder Sammy Sosa said he wants to play for Dominican Republic in inaugural World Baseball Classic next March.

  “It would be a great honor to represent my country,” Sosa said.

  The 37-year-old slugger is not on the list of players that MLB announce on December 5th. He said he would formally announce his participation after signing with a new major league team for next season. Baltimore Orioles said last month that they do not plan to bring him back after he struggled in 2005.

  “Like all athletes, I had a year with ups and downs, but I feel well enough physically and mentally to return next year and put up the numbers everyone expects,” said Sosa, who hit .221 with 14 homers and 45 RBI in 102 games during an injury-shortened season.

  Other Dominican stars who have already announced their intention to play in the Classic include Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez, and Alex Rodriguez might join Dominican if he decided not to play for USA.

  If Sosa play, he might have to hit at the bottom of the lineup or come off the bench.

  Sosa to play for Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic
  Sosa Wants to Play for Dominican Republic

• Walker won’t play, willing to help

  09Dec
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Larry Walker, who announce retirement in October, will not play for World Baseball Classic, but willing to help

  After helping the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to National League Championship Series, the native of British Columbia., three-time National League batting champion and NL most valuable player, has retired.

  Entering to his second month of retirement, although Walker admits he would love the opportunity to suit up in a Team Canada uniform again, he says he need time for the herniated disc in his neck to heal without requiring surgery.

  That means he won’t be able swing a bat and won’t be able to play, “Unfortunately, I have to pass on the World Classic,” said Walker, Canada’s greatest position player. “At 39, I would probably hurt more than help.”

  Just because Walker won’t be in the Team Canada lineup, don’t think that means he doesn’t want to be in Scottsdale come March. “If manager Ernie Whitt would like me to be there in uniform as a coach or even to throw batting practice, whatever, I would be interested,” he said.

  Walker out of World Classic