Mister Baseball

by Pim Van Nes

The city of Rotterdam, promoting its reputation as sports city, has appointed a group of international top athletes as its sports ambassadors. Baseball is represented by Robert EENHOORN, born in Rotterdam 40 years ago (and 13 days). As its manager EENHOORN brought the Netherlands national team to European titles in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007, to the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008 and to two consecutive first places next to World Cup podiums in 2005 and 2007. Last December EENHOORN was elected as best sport coach of the year by coaches, players and press during the Sports Gala hosted by the Netherlands Olympic Committee.

During the present 35th World Tennis Tournament ATP in Rotterdam, the municipality sports body presented its selection of sports ambassadors. Mister Baseball spoke with three world champions: Nelli COOMAN (1964: world champion 60 meters indoor 1987 Indianapolis, 1989 Budapest, 7.00 seconds world record holder 1987-1992), Leontien VAN MOORSEL (1970: cyclism world hour record holder, 9 times world champion, 4 times Olympic champion, 2 times Tour de France winner) and boxer Don Diego POEDER (1972, world champion 1996-1997-1998, 23 professional games including 21 victories and 2 defeats). Newly appointed ambassador was the youngest excellency and football artist Soufiane TOUZANI, born in Rotterdam 27 October 1986. His earlier performances abroad were as a Nike ambassador together with Eric CANTONA, RONALDINHO, Luis FIGO, Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC and ADRIANO in crowded stadiums such as the Paris Stade de France (80.000 fans).

Robert EENHOORN declared to Mister Baseball, that the recent World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands was entirely deserved by the national team players. “Since their no-hit 10-0 victory in their latest WBC game versus Panama, the players manifestly have improved their level by repeating in Taiwan 2007 their World Cup fourth ranking, reached for the first time on home ground in 2005 and also by forcing Cuba into extra innings in the Inter Continental Cup final. My players evidently have made the progress required by WBC for this second invitation, which I believe was our hosts’ easiest decision among the 2006 first round exits. After the Beijing Olympics my contract with our federation KNBSB will expire, but work permitting I would like to join our national team again for WBC 2009″.

The Netherlands next year delegation to the World Baseball Classic will have the right to invite their Major League players in the United States, such as the starting pitchers Rick VAN DEN HURK (Florida Marlins) and Jair JURRJENS (Atlanta Braves) and sluggers Wladimir BALENTIEN (Seattle Mariners) and Andruw JONES (Los Angeles Dodgers). Meanwhile also recent national team players Alexander SMIT (Cincinnati Reds), Hainley STATIA (Los Angeles Angels), Rogearvin BERNADINA and Shurendel DE CASTER (Washington Nationals) have received an invitation to join their Major League selections during spring training 2008. The Netherlands will prepare for their Olympic competition in August during the traditional Haarlem Honkbal Week, organised in the Pim Mulier Stadium from July 4 thru 13 with participating delegations from Cuba, USA, Japan and Taiwan.

by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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