• Home

World Baseball Classic Blog

• Buehrle, Iguchi said no to Classic

  08Jan
  Categories: Japan, Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, Puerto Rico, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, two valuable players of the Sox’s 2005 World Series title, announced they have withdrawn from their participation in the first World Baseball Classic this March.

  Buehrle who won 16 games, lost 8 games, ERA 3.12, 149 Strikeout in 2005, has pitched 221 innings or more in each of the last five seasons. He already had relayed his decision to Buck Martinez, the manager for the United States.

  Buehrle’s first public comments regarding this matter came during an interview on “White Sox Weekly,” a Saturday staple on WSCR-AM 670, the new flagship station for the White Sox. “I turned down to play in the World Baseball Classic,” Buehrle told host Chris Rongey on Saturday morning. “The main reason is that I want to be ready for the season, and I don’t want to cheat our fans and my teammates.”

  “With me going into the Classic, I’m taking a chance of getting hurt. It’s such an honor to even be asked to go play there, and that’s why I really thought about it a lot. But I talked to Buck Martinez the other day, and told him I’m going to have to turn it down this year.”

  His decision alleviates concerns about their rotation. The Sox have 22-year-old Brandon McCarthy who is a potential sixth starter and could be into the 5th one if they choice to trade Jose Contreras for prospects or if any starter gets hurt.

  Citing his position on the major league club, wants to focus on his play as he enters his second year in the majors, Iguchi has withdrawn from the Japanese squad.

  According to Kyodo News agency, “Unfortunately, I’ve decided to withdraw from the squad. I informed manager Sadaharu Oh of my decision by fax yesterday,” Iguchi said while training in Japan’s southernmost island of Okinawa. “This is the second year of my two-year contract with the White Sox. The team expects more from me than in the first year, so I would have to be in spring training.”

  Iguchi’s reported withdrawal follows New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui’s decision in late December not to join Japan’s squad at the 16-nation games, it leaves Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and Texas Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka are are the only two Major Leaguers on Japan’s roster.

  Iguchi’s decision not to play for his native Japan allows manager Ozzie Guillen to experiment with his revamped offense. Iguchi will be evaluated as a sixth- or seventh-place hitter to take advantage of his run-producing capabilities.

  Iguchi performed so well in the second spot in 2005 that Guillen often referred to Iguchi as his most valuable player. But Iguchi batted in the middle of the order during most of his eight seasons in the Japanese Pacific League.

  The announcements leave the White Sox with only two players–starting pitchers Freddy Garcia (Venezuela) and Javier Vazquez (Puerto Rico)–committed to participate in the WBC. Both players will miss at least three weeks of spring training.

  Vazquez did not seem overly concerned with the earlier preparation. “Obviously, I have to be ready earlier than I usually would,” said Vazquez, who already was throwing off of a mound before the end of 2005. “It’s going to accelerate what I usually do, but I don’t think it will affect me.”

• Leter hopes to join WBC, so does Zambrano

  05Jan
  Categories: Pool B, Pool D, USA, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Although some players did withdraw World Baseball Classic, but Al Leiter and Carlos Zambrano still want to join this March.

  Leiter, 40-year-old left-hand pitcher who just signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, is on the 60-man preliminary American roster. He thinks there may be an opening for middle relievers because starting pitchers are likely to be forced out of games by pitch limits.

  “I am really intrigued and excited about this whole World Cup thing,” he said. “There’s a very small possibility that potentially I could make it. I’m going to be a guy that’s going to have to wait until the very end.”

  “This could be really exciting,” Leiter said. “Maybe before I die it ends up being a rival to the soccer World Cup.”

  For Zambrano, 24, he is also eager to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, and that may help him get off to a good start.

  In the second half, Zambrano admitted he felt better facing opponents because he knew them better, and his record showed that. He was 6-4 with a 3.85 ERA before the break, and 8-2 with a 2.65 ERA after, although Chicago Cubs are not as enthusiastic about watching their ace in competitive games so early in the season.

  Final rosters won’t be announced until early March, and the USA open March 7 against Mexico, Venezuela open against Dominican Republic on the same day.

• Mexico wants Nomar, Ramirez

  17Dec
  Categories: México, Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  According to Associated Press, The Mexican baseball league wants to include two U.S. players who has Mexican descent on its World Baseball Classic roster next spring.

  Because their parents are Mexican citizens, free Agent Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and left-hand pitcher Horacio Ramirez of Atlanta Braves can play for Mexico, president of the Mexican baseball league Alejandro Hute said.

  Hute said the players’ participation has not been formalized, but that both players had been contacted and said “they would think about it.”

  Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17 and final 30-man rosters should be submitted on 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament.

• A-Rod leans to Dominican Republic

  14Dec
  Categories: Dominican Republic, Pool B, Pool D, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 3

  
  New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez probably will play for the Dominican Republic over USA in inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring.

  When the Major League Baseball announced players who commitments to play World Baseball Classic during Winter Meeting, Rodriguez, who was born in New York but his parents are Dominican, listed “Undecided” and is eligible to play for both the Dominican Republic and the United States.

  “That seems to be pretty much where I’m leaning,” Rodriguez said during an interview on WFAN radio. “I think it’s going to be the team I’m going to represent, kind of like what (Mike) Piazza’s doing with Italy.”

  If Rodriguez joined Dominican Republic, it will add more power to the lineup, which already includes stars like Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada and Alfonso Soriano.

  “I think the Latino teams are going to have a major advantage, I know the guys in the Dominican are taking this real seriously.” Rodriguez said. “I think that American team might take it more like an exhibition and these guys are kind of playing for their religion down there, the pride of their country.”

  Talking about injuries concern, Rodriguez said. “I am excited and a little nervous, about obviously guys getting injured,” “That time of year you pull a hamstring and you are out three to four weeks. That may impact the whole season. I mean, you may have some type of ill effect going into even June or July.”

  But he still wants to play. “I only know how to play one way once I’m between the lines. I love to compete, I love to play, and I’m going to go all out.”

  Rodriguez is one of three Yankees to commit to play, joining second baseman Robinson Cano (Dominican Republic) and shortstop Derek Jeter (United States). Catcher Jorge Posada wanted to play for Puerto Rico, but the Yankees blocked him from participating. Other players like Hideki Matsui, Chien Ming Wang still undecided about whether to play or not.

  A-Rod, who is well-known for his strenuous offseason workout, will begin baseball activity earlier than usual. Instead of beginning his hitting work around Jan. 1, as usual, he plans to step into the cage in the next 10 days. “There is definitely a sense of urgency for me to get ready a little earlier,” Rodriguez said. “To get more game ready, start throwing earlier.”

  Rodriguez’s spokesman, Steve Fortunato, said the decision will be made by Major League Baseball and the players’ association. “Alex’s comments are based on discussions with the tournament organizers,” Fortunato said. “The organizers are ultimately going to recommend what team Alex should be placed on, and he would follow that. We’re waiting to see what that is. He wants to do whatever is best for tournament.”

  A-Rod leaning toward Dominican
  A-Rod likely picking Dominican team over U.S.
  HE WON’T BE U.S.A-ROD

• Griffey agrees to play

  13Dec
  Categories: Dominican Republic, Pool B, Pool C, Pool D, Puerto Rico, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  After more consideration, Cincinnati Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. agreed to participate in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring if he is selected by Team USA.

  The 36-year-old Griffey originally did not decide if he will play or not, said yes to U.S. Team. He batted .301 with 35 HRs and 92 RBIs in 2005, which earned him National League Comeback Player of the Year honors.

  Griffey’s father, Ken Griffey Sr., former major leaguer and special consultant of general manager Dan O’Brien, will be the first-base coach for U.S. team. “First of all, it is good competition because of all the countries involved in something like that,” Griffey Sr. said. “The other thing that intrigued me is it gets me back in uniform and out on the field.”

  Other Cincinnati players include outfielder Adam Dunn (U.S.), shortstop Felipe Lopez (Puerto Rico), outfielder Wily Mo Pena (Dominican Republic) and catcher Javier Valentin (Puerto Rico) previously agreed to play in the 16-team international tournament.

  The 26-year-old Dunn batted .247 with 40 home runs and 101 RBIs, his second straight 40-homer season. Lopez batted .291 with 23 homers and 85 RBIs, was a first-time All-Star in 2005. The 30-year-old Valentin batted .281 with 14 homers and 50 RBIs in 76 games as backup catcher. Pena batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs in 99 games in 2005.

  “To be named on that list, it’s kind of recognition,” Dunn said. “It’s exciting.” “It’s one of those things where when it’s the first time of doing something, everyone is kind of anxious to see how it’s going to work out,” Dunn said. “I’m definitely interested in playing. I’m really not sure how it will work out. It definitely will be tougher for pitchers than position players.”

  The World Baseball Classic will take place March 3-20. Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17, and the 30-man rosters must be finalized 24 hours before the start of the tournament.

  If players were selected to play for their countries, they will leave the clubs during Spring Training. Since Cincinnati might lose three outfielders during most time in Sarasota camp, they need extra preparation.

  “This is something new, something different,” Reds manager Jerry Narron said. “I don’t think anyone knows the perfect way of doing it.” “You don’t know how long a player will be involved in the tournament, depending on how far their individual team advances,” General Manager Dan O’Brien said. “We’re prepared for that.”

  Reds plans to hold a Minor League mini-camp shortly before Spring Training to identify players who could fill in on the big-league club for exhibition games.

  Junior available for Team USA
  Griffey agrees to play in World Baseball Classic
  Griffey says he’ll play in World Baseball Classic

• Athletics thumbs up, Mariners thumbs down

  12Dec
  Categories: México, Pool B, Pool D, USA, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  Depends on which players, two American League West Teams has different thought about their starting pitchers for World Baseball Classic.

  Two pitchers, left-hander Barry Zito and right-hander Esteban Loiaza, has already signed up for the World Baseball Classic, but Oakland Athletics’ owner Lewis Wolff doesn’t see it as a problem. Although these two players are a big investment for the A’s, Wolff said, “This tournament is a big investment for the future of baseball.”

  The A’s also mentioned that they didn’t shop Zito at the winter meetings, but they did listen to teams that desired the top left-hander.” Teams expressed interest and told us what kind of names they’d be willing to part with,” said assistant GM David Forst, repeated that, “We’re OK keeping Barry.”

  As for Seattle Mariners, although final decision has not been made, probably need to wait until next week, World Baseball Classic officials are expected to uphold the Mariners’ objection and prohibit star teenager Felix Hernandez from play in this tournament, according to Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

  Hernandez’s case will be presented to representatives of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, as well as Roland Betts, member of the World Baseball Classic committee.

  President Chuck Armstrong said at winter meetings that Hernandez, a Venezuelan, was the only player “we really have an objection in on.”

  “Our belief is that he’s too young,” Armstrong said then. “With his age, when you’re playing for your flag, it creates a lot of adrenaline, a lot of emotion. He just needs to get prepared for this season.

  “If he was older, we wouldn’t have this same risk.” It’s based on concerns over Hernandez’s right (throwing) shoulder. He did not start for six weeks this season because of bursitis.

• Major Leaguers join Coach Stuff

  10Dec
  Categories: Canada, Italy, Pool B, Pool D, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 2

  
  Some ex- Major Leaguers did not able to play for World Baseball Classic next spring, but they will be the coach stuff for several teams.

  51-year-old Ken Griffey Sr., who’s the special consultant of Cincinnati Reds, will be the first base coach of Team USA.

  After 19-year major league career, Griffey was the Reds’ first base coach in 2000; he also coached with the Seattle Mariners several years before returning to Cincinnati, where he got his start as a player.

  The U.S. team will train in Phoenix from March 3-6 and play the first round games with Canada, Mexico and South Africa at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field (formerly known as Bank One Ballpark) and Scottsdale Stadium, spring home of the San Francisco Giants.

  Buck Martinez, a former Toronto Blue Jays manager, will serve as U.S. manager with Davey Johnson as bench coach, Reggie Smith as hitting coach and Marcel Lachemann as pitching coach.

  If the U.S. team advances all the way through, it will play second round in Anaheim Stadium and the semifinals and finals at PETCO Park in San Diego.

  As for his son, Ken Griffey Jr. hasn’t made a commitment to play since he wants to be sure he’s fully recovered from surgeries on his knee and hamstring in September.

  45-year-old John Franco, former New York Mets left-handed pitcher, will be the pitching coach for the Italian team. Former Mets coach Matt Galante will manage, and Mike Piazza has already agreed to catch for the Italy.

  Larry Walker, 39, was outfielder for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, retired in October, Canada Manager Ernie Whitt want him as a bench coach.

  Walker has a herniated disc in his neck and is trying to let it heal without surgery, meaning he cannot swing a bat. But he has said he would like to do something for the Canadian team.

  “He’ll be a part of the team, if I have anything to say about it,” said Whitt, the Toronto Blue Jays bench coach and Canada manager for the WBC. “I think he deserves that right.” “He can stand right next to me,” Whitt said. “I’d love to have him around. I’d love to have him as a player.” Whitt said he would like to have Walker, “even as a DH.” “If he doesn’t want to do that then he’d have strong consideration as a bench coach,” Whitt said.

  The Canadian team will train at the Blue Jays’ spring training home in Dunedin, Florida in early March before play the first round at March 7 in Arizona.

  Because it is spring training and pitchers will has pitch count limits, Whitt said he plans to use two starters each game and hope they can combine for about six innings. “We’ll have 13 to 14 pitchers and six of them will be starters,” Whitt said.

• Clemens: WBC yes, Astros No?

  08Dec
  Categories: Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  Because Huston Astros did not know whether Roger Clemens’ decision is, they declined to offer salary arbitration to the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, which means United States might be the only team that Clemens will play in 2006.

  Of course, Clemens can still sign with other Major League team, like New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or Texas Rangers, and he can still join the Astros after May 1.

  Clemens still wants to pitch for the United States in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next March.

  Based on his agent, Randy and Alan Hendricks, Clemens’ performance in the WBC could play a part in the decision. “I expect that will be a form of a litmus test to see how feels about playing mentally and physically,” Hendricks said.

  Randy Hendricks said that Clemens’s goal was to pitch one inning in WBC; it does not seem if Clemens wants to have a major role, but he might do something amazing.

  Hendricks said Clemens’s preseason preparations are intense, so he must determine by January or February if he wants to commit to all of the work again. Right now Clemens is not involved in his usual off-season baseball workouts and is not close to pondering whether he wants to return.

  Rocket is not offered arbitration
  Astros set Rocket loose
  Astros deny Clemens arbitration, future unclear
  After Astros say no, Rangers might be right place for Clemens
  Clemens, Rogers not offered arbitration
  Astros Decline to Offer Arbitration to Clemens

• 177 MLB Players agree to play

  05Dec
  Categories: Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, México, Netherlands, Panama, Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, Pool D, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  At the beginning of Winter Meeting, Major League Baseball lease a list of 177 major league players, representing all 30 teams who have agreed to participate in World Baseball Classic next spring.

  “This is going to be the most important international baseball event ever staged,” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said. “The game’s best players will compete for their home countries. New and old fans throughout the world will have the opportunity to enjoy our great game and see many of baseball’s best players competing in this historic event.”

  Players planning to represent Japan, China, South Korea or Taiwan are expected to be announced later this week at a news conference in Asia.

  The designated hitter rule will be used and there will be limitations on pitch counts, but the number has not been decided yet. All players will be tested under the Olympic drug policy although a positive test for the WBC will not count under MLB’s new steroid policy.

  “The International Baseball Federation has endorsed and has sanctioned the event,” Players Association COO Gene Orza said. “They would not do that were the tournament not conducted under the rules of the IBF in respect to other Olympic or international events as it relates to drug testing.”

  Only Italy, Cuba and South Africa have yet to announce a manager. John Deeble (Australia), Ernie Whitt (Canada), Jim Lefebvre (China), Hua-Wei Lin (Chinese Taipei), Manny Acta (Dominican Republic), Sadaharu Oh (Japan), In-Sik Kim (Korea), Paquin Estrada (Mexico), Robert Eenhoorn (Netherlands), Roberto Kelly (Panama), Jose Oquendo (Puerto Rico) and Luis Sojo (Venezuela) already had been named to lead their countries.

  “It is no secret that we have had some discussion with the Cubans that has made us feel very, very confident that they will play,” Orza said. “I believe the Cubans will play.”

  Below is the list of players who have agreed to participate in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. A player has agreed to participate does not guarantee that he will be on the final 30-man roster, which must include at least 13 pitchers and three catchers.

  Australia:
  Adrian Burnside, Trent Durrington, Justin Huber, John Stephens, Glenn Williams

  Canada:
  Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Rheal Cormier, Jesse Crain, Jeff Francis, Eric Gagne, Steve Green, Aaron Guiel, Shawn Hill, Corey Koskie, Pete LaForest, Adam Loewen, Russ Martin, Cody McKay, Justin Morneau, Pete Orr, Paul Quantrill, Chris Reitsma, Matt Stairs, Scott Thorman

  Dominican Republic:
  Antonio Alfonseca, Ronnie Belliard, Adrian Beltre, Eude Brito, Juan Brito, Daniel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Alberto Castillo, Jesus Colome, Bartolo Colon, Francisco Cordero, Pedro Feliz, Franklyn German, Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez, Jose Lima, David Ortiz, Wily Mo Pena, Neifi Perez, Placido Polanco, Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Felix Rodriguez, Duaner Sanchez, Alfonso Soriano, Julian Tavarez, Miguel Tejada, Robinson Tejeda, Salomon Torres

  Italy:
  Frank Catalanotto, Mark DeRosa, David Dellucci, Mike DiFelice, Tony Fiore, Mike Gallo, Jason Grilli, Matt Mantei, Frank Menechino, Doug Mirabelli, Val Pascucci, Mike Piazza, Joe Vitello, Pete Zoccolillo

  Mexico:
  Alfredo Amezaga, Luis Ayala, Rigo Beltran, Jorge Cantu, Vinny Castilla, Juan Castro, Elmer Dessens, Gerardo Garcia, Karim Garcia, Luis Garcia, Edgar Gonzalez, Edgar Huerta, Esteban Loaiza, Rodrigo Lopez, Miguel Ojeda, Antonio Osuna, Oliver Perez, Roberto Ramirez, Dennys Reyes, Ricardo Rincon, Oscar Robles, Ismael Valdez, Oscar Villareal

  Netherlands:
  Andruw Jones

  Panama:
  Bruce Chen, Carlos Lee, Jose Macias, Carlos Ruiz

  Puerto Rico:
  Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Carlos Beltran, Kiko Calero, Alex Cintron, Jose Cruz Jr., Carlos Delgado, Jose Hernandez, Ricky Ledee, Felipe Lopez, Mike Lowell, Luis Matos, Joel Pineiro, Ivan Rodriguez, J.C. Romero, Rey Sanchez, Jorge Sosa, Andres Torres, Javier Valentin, Javier Vazquez, Jose Vidro, Bernie Williams

  United States:
  Michael Barrett, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Mark Buehrle, Eric Chavez, Roger Clemens, Chad Cordero, Carl Crawford, Johnny Damon, Adam Dunn, Brian Fuentes, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Guardado, Roy Halladay, Jason Isringhausen, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Todd Jones, Derrek Lee, Al Leiter, Brad Lidge, Joe Mauer, Jake Peavy, Andy Pettitte, Juan Pierre, Jimmy Rollins, B.J. Ryan, C.C. Sabathia, Brian Schneider, Ben Sheets, John Smoltz ,Huston Street, Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley, Jason Varitek, Billy Wagner, Vernon Wells, Dontrelle Willis, David Wright, Michael Young, Barry Zito

  Venezuela:
  Bobby Abreu, Edgardo Alfonzo, Henry Blanco, Miguel Cairo, Giovanni Carrara, Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, Melvin Mora, Tomas Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Omar Vizquel, Carlos Zambrano, Victor Zambrano

  Undecided
  a- Alex Rodriguez b- Marco Scutaro
  a- eligible to play for both the Dominican Republic and the United States b- eligible to play for both Italy and Venezuela.

  Players agreeing to participate in World Baseball Classic
  All 30 MLB teams to be represented at World Baseball Classic
  WBC Rosters By Country
  Big names expected at World Baseball Classic
  Major League Stars Sign Up for World Baseball Classic

• USA, Canada play exhibition game

  23Nov
  Categories: Canada, Pool B, USA, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Before World Baseball Classic start, USA and Canada will play exhibition game with San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays in early March.

  Most national teams will play at one or two exhibition games before the tournament. United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa are in the Pool B in the first round at Phoenix Area.

  The U.S. team will play an exhibition game against San Francisco Giants’ split squad on March 5 at renovated Scottsdale Stadium, which is also the venue of three games for Pool B. Giants will have 32 exhibition games next spring.

  Canada Team will play against Toronto split squad on March 3 at Dunedin, Florida, the Blue Jays’ spring facility, and then move to Arizona for World Baseball Classic. Blue Jays will have 33 exhibition games next spring.

  Giants release 2006 Spring slate
  U.S., Canada in World Baseball Classic exhibitions
  Giants release spring schedule
  Unable to secure stadium, Marlins will try to relocate
  Blue Jays to play pre-season game against Canada in spring training