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• World Baseball Classic all over begins!

  07Mar
  Categories: Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Italy, México, Panama, Pool B, Pool C, Pool D, Puerto Rico, South Africa, USA, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  Pool B, C, D of the 2006 World Baseball Classic started to fight today, there are five intense games to play, the biggest suprise is Italy; who gets the help from Major Leaguers and itself, shutout the 2004 Athens Olympic Silver Winner Australia. Other winners are United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Dominican Republic.

  March 7 Result:
  Pool B:
  United States 2, Mexico 0

  MEXICO          - 000 000 000   --   0
  USA             - 000 100 10x   --   2
  

  Jake Peavy and a parade of relievers combined on a four-hitter against a lineup loaded with major-leaguers Tuesday, leading the United States to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in its World Baseball Classic debut. Home runs by Derrek Lee and Chipper Jones were all that was necessary on offense.

  “I never would have said this yesterday,” Lee said after the World Baseball Classic opener for both teams, “but today, being on the field, I think this means more. It’s like Jake Peavy said, ‘You’re not playing for your city, you’re playing for your country.’ When you have your country behind you, there’s a lot of responsibility. There’s no monetary motivation for this. Guys came to this team to play for their country. It’s as simple as that.”

  Canada 11, South Africa 8

  CANADA          - 000 030 404   --  11
  SOUTH AFRICA    - 000 040 130   --   8
  

  Canada narrowly avoided a startling loss in its World Baseball Classic debut, rallying for four runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat South Africa 11-8 Tuesday night.

  “I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel [worried] going into the ninth inning,” Canada third baseman Corey Koskie said. “But one of the great things about baseball is I knew we had a good chance.” “Everyone was putting out to the end. We were going after it.”

  Pool C:
  Puerto Rico 2, Panama 1

  PANAMA          - 000 100 000   --   1
  PUERTO RICO     - 000 020 00x   --   2
  

  Puerto Rico’s first game in the World Baseball Classic was a tougher test than many expected. Bernie Williams hit a tiebreaking single, Alex Rios homered and Team Puerto Rico made its WBC debut with a 2-1 victory over Panama.

  “I felt like I was playing the World Series in March,” Williams said. “It was a great feeling. There is something very special about playing in my country, in my hometown. People chanting my name was a very special feeling for me. I will treasure that.”

  Pool D:
  Dominican Republic 11, Venezuela 5

  DOMINICAN REP   - 020 040 005   --  11
  VENEZUELA       - 000 121 100   --   5
  

  2005 AL Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon vs. Johan Santana, the 2004 AL Cy Young winner, but hitters took the show. David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre each homered twice, leading a powerful Dominican team to an 11-5 victory over Venezuela in their World Baseball Classic opener.

  The fans were seemingly split 50-50 between their allegiances to their native countries. Equally enthusiastic, Dominican and Venezuelan fans proudly waved their respective flags and cheered loudly throughout the contest, whether it was for home runs, groundouts or fly balls.

  Italy 10, Australia 0

  AUSTRALIA       - 000 000 0  --   0
  ITALY           - 031 122 1  --  10
  

  Mike Piazza doubled and scored a run and Jason Grilli was almost perfect in 4 2/3 innings of work, leading Italy to a 10-0 victory over Australia in the first round of the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night.

  “This is what we talked about when we were in a group,” Italy manager Matt Galante said. “We want to show the world we can play. And how well we do, time will tell. But we feel we can compete, and if you can compete, you’ve got a chance. That’s what I keep saying.”

• 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.

• Vizquel named Venezuelan captain

  21Dec
  Categories: Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  
  At national squad in ceremonies at Caracas, Omar Vizquel, 10-time Gold Glove shortstop, was named as captain of Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team next March.

  “It will be proud to represent Venezuela,” said Vizquel. “The Classic will be a spectacle, very special for all the ballplayers, and all the Venezuelans are going to want to be part of it.”

  Vizquel will probably be the Venezuelan leadoff hitter, and he thanked San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou for that. “I have never been a natural leadoff batter, although this year Felipe used me there in San Francisco, and the experience taught me that I can adapt to it,” said Vizquel.

  Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, the first Venezuelan to manage in the Major Leagues, told MLB.com about his feelings toward Vizquel: “To me, he’s a Hall of Famer. Nobody’s going to be better than him. I don’t care how many Gold Gloves you win. To me, it would be Luis (Aparicio), Vizquel, and Davey (Concepcion) as the three top shortstops in our country.”

  Vizquel, a lifetime .274 hitter, batted .271 with 45 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 2005, leading all MLB shortstops with a franchise-record .988 fielding percentage. The three-time All-Star has a lifetime .984 fielding percentage, tops among Major League shortstops who have played in at least 1,000 games.

  Venezuela team will manage by Luis Sojo, with bench coach Davey Concepcion, assistants Omar Malave, Luis Salazar, Roberto Espinoza and Oscar Escobar.

  Players who agree to participate to play World baseball Classic on the Venezuelan roster include Edgardo Alfonzo, Bobby Abreu, Henry Blanco, Miguel Cairo, Giovanni Carrara, Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, Melvin Mora, Tomas Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Carlos Zambrano and Victor Zambrano.

  Venezuela will play against Dominican Republic on March 7, Italy on March 8, and Australia on March 9 at the first round in Cracker Jack Stadium, Florida.

• 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.

• 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

• Santana wants to play

  21Nov
  Categories: Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Minnesota Twins Ace, former Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana excited about Venezuela in inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring.

  ”I’ll be there. Venezuela has a great opportunity because of the quality of its baseball players at the moment,” the left-hander said.

  New York Yankees coach Luis Sojo has been chosen to manage the Venezuelan team, which is considered among the top teams for the tournament in March. The lineup will be bolstered by Miguel Cabrera of the Florida Marlins and Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies and other big stars.

  Venezuela will be playing first round in Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney Wide World of Sports, Florida in Pool D, which includes Australia, Italy and the Dominican Republic.

  Venezuela in World Baseball Classic
  People in Sports: Santana excited for World Baseball Classic
  The people have spoken

• Pool D expected to play in Florida

  15Oct
  Categories: Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Pool D, include Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Italy and Australia, are expected to play first round in Florida, will announce shortly.

  Major League Baseball currently negotiate contract with Disney about six first-round games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, spring training base of Atlanta Braves. Four team of Pool D will play their round-robin games on March 8-11 at Orlando, Florida.

  Pool A will take place at Tokyo Dome in Japan, and Pool C will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as for Pool B, it likely to play at a spring training park in Arizona.

  WORLD CLASSIC

• Sojo lead the Venezuela

  06Oct
  Categories: Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  

  New York Yankees third-base coach Luis Sojo has accepted to manage the Venezuela for World Baseball Classic next spring.

  “I’m very happy at the appointment, and now we have to put together a team that puts Venezuela’s name high up there,” Sojo said. “It will be very tough, but I think in Venezuela there are enough quality players to win the title. I hope the best are available.”

  After 13-year of Major League Baseball, Sojo retired in 2003 after played for Toronto Blue Jays, California Angels, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. Now he is the third-base coach of Yankees.

  Sojo will be part of the Venezuelan technical team with David Concepcion and Omar Malave, based on Humberto Oropeza, Venezuelan Baseball Official. Oropeza mentioned that each team will have an initial list of 60 players that will be reduced to 30, with 13 pitchers, three catchers and 14 players. Venezuela will announce its final roster by March 2, just prior to the opening of the competition.

  Venezuela should be one of the best teams in WBC, with hitters like Miguel Cabrera of Florida Marlins and Bobby Abreu of Philadelphia Phillies, and pitchers including Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins, and their target is very simple, winning the gold.

  Venezuela will play first round at Cracker Jack Stadium of Disney World, at the southeastern of Orlando in Florida, with other Group Four counterpart: Australia, Italy and the Dominican Republic. Top two teams will move up, with another round-robin play at second round. Top two teams of second round will play single elimination Semi-Final and Final Game at PETCO Park to decide who the real world championship is.

  Sojo glad to be chosen Venezuela’s manager

  Venezuela eyes title at first World Baseball Classic

• Twins support WBC

  01Oct
  Categories: Canada, México, Pool B, Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  Several members of Minnesota Twins could join the World Baseball Classic in 2006.

  Like other major league teams, Twins has players who came from different countries, could fight each other next March.

  Utility infielder Juan Castro has already committed to playing for Mexico, “It’ll be a good event for people everywhere,” Castro said. “It’s an honor to be invited. I don’t know when I’ll have the chance again to represent Mexico.”

  First baseman Justin Morneau, who has been in Team Canada before, but not include 2004 Olympics, could represent Canada. “If I’m invited, I’d like to play,” Morneau said.

  Reliever Jesse Crain, an American who was born in Toronto, since he’s eligible to play for both nations, he was also willing to play for Canada. “Yeah, if they ask me and Team USA doesn’t,” Crain said. “It sounds like it would be fun. Obviously, I’d like to play for Team USA, but I don’t think they’ll ask me.”

  Reliever Juan Rincon and starting pitcher Carlos Silva weren’t sure if they would be able to play for Venezuela due to injury recovery.

  Because World Baseball Classic will be held in March, means Spring Training next year is not the same as previous one.

  For Manager Ron Gardenhire, he did not have problem with losing some guys, as long as their health is protected. “I think representing your country is a wonderful thing,” Gardenhire said. “But hopefully they’ll understand that they have to get themselves into good shape early. I think baseball will take a part in that to get guys into good shape and they’ll be ready to go and not hurt themselves.”

  Notes: Twins look foward to Classic

• Carlos Silva not sure

  26Sep
  Categories: Pool D, Venezuela, WBC2006 Comments: 0

  After arthroscopic surgery on right knee, Minnesota Twins reliever Carlos Silva expects a quick recovery, but not sure if he will join for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic next spring.

  Silva’s torn meniscus cartilage was repaired last week and still on crutches, but he was able to do light exercises with the knee, and hopes to resume running within three to four weeks.

  After that, Silva will continue rehabbing the injury after the season Twins’ complex at Fort Myers, Fla., before returning home to Venezuela on Oct. 20.

  Silva said. “When I get to Venezuela, I’ll be working like an animal,” Silva said. “The only thing I want to do is be ready for the season. That’s the only thing I worry about.”

  However, he wasn’t so sure about pitch in winter ball or represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March.

  Notes: Silva recuperating well

  Twins notes: Mays gets one more try