Dominican Republic I:
When Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated published its report about Alex Rodriguez positive doping test in 2003 on Saturday, it created another whirlwind in the Baseball community. Of course we cannot be naïve and don’t think that many of the current stars are or were clean. And for sure, the anti-doping program in Major League Baseball improved steadily since 2003. But once again, Spring Training in Baseball will be headlined by doping and so also the 2009 World Baseball Classic, especially with 2009 so important for the reinstatement of our beloved sport into the Olympics.
Rodriguez was scheduled to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming tournament, after being on Team USA in the inaugural version of the WBC 2006. But his participation isn’t secure any more. He probably will address the media in the upcoming days and afterwards we might know if one of the best players in the game still will be on board. It is also not clear, if the IBAF or the MLB even want him in the Classic. He definitely would taint the competition, if you’ll look from outside the sport.
Venezuela I:
Starting Pitcher Anibal Sanchez of the Florida Marlins will not be on the team at the WBC. His club is blocking him to pitch for his home country. In 2008 he came back from shoulder surgery and the Marlins were allowed to prevent him from participating. He would be able to pitch and he also wanted to. But he cannot do anything about it.
USA I:
Shortstop Derek Jeter is going to play against the New York Yankees for the first time in his career. Team USA will play the record champion in an exhibition in front of the World Baseball Classic.
USA II:
This week Chipper Jones and Jimmy Rollins talked to the media and announced that they are happy with their roles. Jones will probably be the DH for the team, as David Wright fills in at third base. Rollins will play second fiddle at shortstop behind Jeter, even if he probably is the better player right now. Overall the USA will have more of a team-first approach this time in comparison to the first version of the WBC, which might be a good thing.
Venezuela II:
Third baseman/catcher Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants, one of the upcoming stars in Baseball, will skip the World Baseball Classic. After hitting .396 during the Venezuelan Winter League season he announced his plans, as he wants to fight for a starting job with the Giants in Spring Training.
Dominican Republic II:
The manager of the Dominican team at the World Baseball Classic, Felipe Alou, recently was a guest speaker at the Baseball Quebec Coaches Conference. At least 285 coaches were on hand to hear the Manager of the Year in 1994.
Mexico:
Reliever Eddie Guardado, who signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers this week, decided against World Baseball Classic participation for Mexico. He prefers to stay in Spring Training and practice alongside his Rangers teammates.