List of Players confirmed in the WBC

[Gamingboy]

I made this list as a reference to who has been either officially (MLB.com report) or unofficially (a ESPN, SI article etc.) confirmed to be in the WBC.

I'll update this as more stuff becomes available:


USA:
Barry Bonds (MLB.com report, amongst others)
Dontrelle Willis (MLB.com report)
Roger Clemens (Sports Illustrated report by Tom Verducci shortly after game 1of the World Series)


Puerto Rico:
Carlos Delgado (MLB.com report)
Ivan Rodriguez (MLB.com report)
Javier Vazquez (MLB.com report)
Joel Pineiro (CBS sportsline report)
J.C. Romero (CBS Sportsline report)
Juan Padilla (CBS Sportsline report)
Carlos Beltran (Inferred, as he was at the ASG news conference)



Dominican Republic:
Pedro Martinez (ESPN.com report, but only if his toe heals)
Miguel Tejada (ESPN.com report, also, he was the DR rep at the official announcement of the tournament at the All-star break)
Albert Pujols (Stanley Javier)
Jose Mesa (Stanley Javier)

Venezuela:
Freddy Garcia (ESPN.com report)



Japan:
Ichiro (MLB.com report)
Tadahito Iguchi (a report awhile back)



Canada:
Jason Bay (TSN.ca report)
Peter Orr (TSN.ca report)
Rheal Cormier (TSN.ca report)
Chris Reitsma (TSN.ca report)
Jesse Crain (TSN.ca report)
Corey Koskie (Canadian press report)

Mexico:
Juan Castro (Report from the official Minnesota Twins Website)


Australia:
Justin Huber (inferred, as he was the Aussie Rep at the All-Star Game news conference)
David Nilsson (Adelaide Advertiser article)

Korea:
Hee-Sheop Choi (Inferred, as he was the Korean rep at the All-Star Game conference)

Netherlands:
Andruw Jones (inferred, as he was the Dutch/Curacaoian/Netherland Antillers rep at the All-Star Game conference)

Panama:
Carlos Lee (inferred, as he was the Panamanian rep at the ASG news conference)


Managers:
Japan: Sadaharu Oh
Korea: In-Sik Kim
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan): Hua-Wei Lin
China: Jim Lefebvre

USA: Unknown, it has supposedly been narrowed down to Buck Martinez and Don Baylor.
Canada: Ernie Whitt
Mexico: Francisco Estrada
South Africa: Unknown

Puerto Rico: Jose Oquendo
Cuba: Unknown, but I'm guessing it's Higinio Vélez, he was the manager of Cuba in IBF in 05
Panama: Roberto Kelly
Netherlands: Robert Eenhorn

Dominican Republic: Manny Acta
Venezuela: Luis Sojo
Australia: Jon Deeble
Italy: Unknown
Tell me if I missed anybody, as I'll update this list periodically.

[Licey Fan]

Albert Pujols already signed the confirmation paper... And I believe someone else (not all-star status) already signed also... But I'm sure Pujols is the first to sign the paper... Tejada also signed... Martinez has publicly said he'll play, but he hasn't signed yet

[E.Banks#14]

Felix Hernandez wants to play in the WBC, but the Seattle Mariners are going through a process which will not allow him to play. (I don't know what country he would play for :confused: )

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Felix Hernandez wants to play in the WBC, but the Seattle Mariners are going through a process which will not allow him to play. (I don't know what country he would play for :confused: )
He is from Venezuela, no?
Johan Santana and King Felix, nice 1-2 punch there...

[Gamingboy]

Updated! I also added in a "managers" section.

[Licey Fan]

OK... Here's the link to the press article... this was said by Stan Javier, who's the GM of team Dominican Republic
Complete Article (in spanish) Click Here (http://www.clavedigital.com/Deportes/Articulo.asp?Id_Articulo=5866)

Below, the article, and after the translation...

Tejada y Pujols firman para el Clásico
Las dos estrellas dominicanas se comprometieron por escrito para participar en la primera edición del certamen mundial

El gerente general del equipo dominicano que jugará el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol, Stanley Javier, reveló el jueves que Albert Pujols, Miguel Tejada y José Mesa se comprometieron por escrito a participar en el evento.

"También formalizaron su inscripción Salomón Torres y Juan Brito, con lo que se convierten en los primeros en establecer oficialmente su participación en el Clásico", dijo Javier.

El ejecutivo destacó la "importancia" que esto representa para los planes del equipo.

"Ya iniciamos la inscripción de los jugadores que han expresado públicamente su intención de jugar con el equipo dominicano en la Copa del Mundo", agregó.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tejada and Pujols sign for the Classic
The two dominican stars committed by written to participate in the first edition of the world contest

The general manager of the dominican team that will play the World Baseball Classic, Stanley Javier, revealed on thursday that Albert Pujols, Miguel Tejada and José Mesa signed their commitment to participate in the event.

"We also formalized the inscription of Salomon Torres and Juan Brito, making them the first to offially establish their participation in the classic", Javier said.

The executive highlighted the "importance" that this represents for the team's plans..

"We started the inscription process of the players that have publicaly stated their intention to play with the dominican team in the World Cup", he added.

[Gamingboy]

Updated! According to the website of a Australian Newspaper, former MLB player Dave Nilsson has agreed to play.

[Gamingboy]

Okay, folks, they now have actually put up a LIST on the WBC site which can be found here:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/wbc/rosters.jsp?content=country

So, uhhh, I don't think this will be need anymore.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Interesting, I don't see Rich Harden on Canada's roster.

[caribeño]

The White sox already denied permit to former major league pitcher Juan Nieves ( threw a no-hitter for the Brewers ) to become Puerto Rico's pitching coach . the Mariners did the same with Rafy Chávez . None of them is on their ML team , but in the minors . Umm...
Hope the Mariners allow Félix Hernández to pitch for Venezuela .

[Licey Fan]

So I guess the A-Rod issue will go on until the very end... He's not listed in neither team USA or team DR

And I see Cody McKay in team Canada... He's an excellent catcher!!! He played for the tigers 3 years ago, and hand good numbers, but even better deffense

[Licey Fan]

"Three players -- Rodriguez, Mike Piazza and Marco Scutaro -- have the opportunity to select between two countries because of their family heritage and have yet to make a decision for which team they will play. A-Rod can choose between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic; Piazza between the U.S. and Italy, and Scutaro between Italy and Venezuela."

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051205&content_id=1275939&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Ok, So it definetly seems that it'll be until the final day that we'll know finally where A-Rod will be playing

[Bonus]

www.worldbaseballclassic.com has a more extensive list of players here (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/wbc/rosters.jsp).

However, note the following:

A maximum 60-man roster for each nation must be submitted by Jan. 17, and that point, all players will begin to be drug tested under the auspices of Olympic-type penalties -- two years of banishment from international play for a first offense. The tournament drug testing is mutually exclusive from the new testing program agreed upon last month by MLB and the players association, Orza said. Thus, any player testing positive during the event will not be penalized next season by MLB.

Each team's 30-man roster must be finalized 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. (This explains the confusion between whether rosters have 30 or 60).

Also, note the drug test requirement. This is a latent killer for the tournament. MLB's testing is a joke--this testing will be done I believe under WADA. What will happen if big name players start getting sent home? We have all heard the rumors. How many more Palmeiro's are out there? Will the tournament survive if (a) numerous players get caught or (b) numerous stars duck out of the tournament citing vague injuries or family concerns?

[Mike_Piazza]

Italy should have a team with italian from italian league and some italian - americans.
The coach should be Matt Galante and the coach of the italian NT (Faraone).
Many italian-americans wants to play for Italy. :clapping
Pitchers :Tony Fiore,Mike Gallo,Jason Grilli,Matt Mantei
Catchers:Mike Di Felice and Doug Mirabelli.
First basebamen Joe Vitiello and Valentino Pascucci.
Second Basemen Frank Menechino
SS:Mark DeRosa
Outfielders Catalanotto,Dellucci , Zoccolillo,Baldelli (if healthy)
Other players contacted are :Simontacchi (the only one played also in the italian league before signing for MLB)Pavano,Lo Duca,Fassero.
Zito will pitch for USA.
Giovanni Carrara and Marco Scutaro will play for Venezuela.
We have no chance,even with these players,against Dominican Republic and Venezuela,we only will try to play good baseball.
The average level of this WBC will be terrific.
Next year Italy will play the hockey tornament in Olympics,WBC,Soccer World Championship and Basketball World Championship.
I think the level of WBC is higher than the other tournaments.
Baseball italian fans will enjoy WBC and i hope this will be a great avertising for this wonderful sport in Italy.

[Licey Fan]

Italy should have a team with italian from italian league and some italian - americans.
The coach should be Matt Galante and the coach of the italian NT (Faraone).
Many italian-americans wants to play for Italy. :clapping
Pitchers :Tony Fiore,Mike Gallo,Jason Grilli,Matt Mantei
Catchers:Mike Di Felice and Doug Mirabelli.
First basebamen Joe Vitiello and Valentino Pascucci.
Second Basemen Frank Menechino
SS:Mark DeRosa
Outfielders Catalanotto,Dellucci , Zoccolillo,Baldelli (if healthy)
Other players contacted are :Simontacchi (the only one played also in the italian league before signing for MLB)Pavano,Lo Duca,Fassero.
Zito will pitch for USA.
Giovanni Carrara and Marco Scutaro will play for Venezuela.
We have no chance,even with these players,against Dominican Republic and Venezuela,we only will try to play good baseball.
The average level of this WBC will be terrific.
Next year Italy will play the hockey tornament in Olympics,WBC,Soccer World Championship and Basketball World Championship.
I think the level of WBC is higher than the other tournaments.
Baseball italian fans will enjoy WBC and i hope this will be a great avertising for this wonderful sport in Italy.


Hopefully you'll make a good impression!!:clapping

[Licey Fan]

Italy should have a team with italian from italian league and some italian - americans.
The coach should be Matt Galante and the coach of the italian NT (Faraone).
Many italian-americans wants to play for Italy. :clapping
Pitchers :Tony Fiore,Mike Gallo,Jason Grilli,Matt Mantei
Catchers:Mike Di Felice and Doug Mirabelli.
First basebamen Joe Vitiello and Valentino Pascucci.
Second Basemen Frank Menechino
SS:Mark DeRosa
Outfielders Catalanotto,Dellucci , Zoccolillo,Baldelli (if healthy)
Other players contacted are :Simontacchi (the only one played also in the italian league before signing for MLB)Pavano,Lo Duca,Fassero.
Zito will pitch for USA.
Giovanni Carrara and Marco Scutaro will play for Venezuela.
We have no chance,even with these players,against Dominican Republic and Venezuela,we only will try to play good baseball.
The average level of this WBC will be terrific.
Next year Italy will play the hockey tornament in Olympics,WBC,Soccer World Championship and Basketball World Championship.
I think the level of WBC is higher than the other tournaments.
Baseball italian fans will enjoy WBC and i hope this will be a great avertising for this wonderful sport in Italy.


Hopefully you'll make a good impression!!:clapping (Even though HWR doesn't want to) :p

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Canada:
Jason Bay (TSN.ca report)
Peter Orr (TSN.ca report)
Rheal Cormier (TSN.ca report)
Chris Reitsma (TSN.ca report)Jesse Crain (TSN.ca report)
Corey Koskie (Canadian press report)



I want Reitsma for the Netherlands...:grouchy :grouchy

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Hopefully you'll make a good impression!!:clapping (Even though HWR doesn't want to) :p
:grouchy


:D

[runningshoes]

Italy should have a team with italian from italian league and some italian - americans.

Although it won't happen, why should Italy be allowed to field a team with Italian Americans?

[efin98]

Although it won't happen, why should Italy be allowed to field a team with Italian Americans?

Already happening. Under the international rules Italy is allowed to do that. Every other county in the tournament is allowed to do that as well.

[Mike_Piazza]

Although it won't happen, why should Italy be allowed to field a team with Italian Americans?

According italian laws if you have a grandfather italian you can receive italian citizenship,we recognize "ius sanguinis" while other countries,like France,recognize "ius soli".
In Italy there are a lot of immigrants that cannot receive italian citizenship even if they speak italian ,work here and pay taxes while americans with italian roots can apply for an italian passport.
Maybe is not right,but this are our laws.
Italy has always ,in World Championship and Olympics, used italians and italian-americans from the domestic league ,but this time the italian federation was scared watching the other teams of the WBC and asked some help to the italian-american MLB lobby .
The feedback is better than expected,some MLB players want to play for Italy,we will do a mixed team with the other guys from the domestic league.
I 'll watch game on TV,probably on SKY italian TV,in Italy we are used to watch Major League Baseball on TV 2 times a week and we have always bought the rights.

[Mike_Piazza]

I made this list as a reference to who has been either officially (MLB.com report) or unofficially (a ESPN, SI article etc.) confirmed to be in the WBC.

I'll update this as more stuff becomes available:


USA:
Barry Bonds (MLB.com report, amongst others)
Dontrelle Willis (MLB.com report)
Roger Clemens (Sports Illustrated report by Tom Verducci shortly after game 1of the World Series)


Puerto Rico:
Carlos Delgado (MLB.com report)
Ivan Rodriguez (MLB.com report)
Javier Vazquez (MLB.com report)
Joel Pineiro (CBS sportsline report)
J.C. Romero (CBS Sportsline report)
Juan Padilla (CBS Sportsline report)
Carlos Beltran (Inferred, as he was at the ASG news conference)



Dominican Republic:
Pedro Martinez (ESPN.com report, but only if his toe heals)
Miguel Tejada (ESPN.com report, also, he was the DR rep at the official announcement of the tournament at the All-star break)
Albert Pujols (Stanley Javier)
Jose Mesa (Stanley Javier)

Venezuela:
Freddy Garcia (ESPN.com report)



Japan:
Ichiro (MLB.com report)
Tadahito Iguchi (a report awhile back)



Canada:
Jason Bay (TSN.ca report)
Peter Orr (TSN.ca report)
Rheal Cormier (TSN.ca report)
Chris Reitsma (TSN.ca report)
Jesse Crain (TSN.ca report)
Corey Koskie (Canadian press report)

Mexico:
Juan Castro (Report from the official Minnesota Twins Website)


Australia:
Justin Huber (inferred, as he was the Aussie Rep at the All-Star Game news conference)
David Nilsson (Adelaide Advertiser article)

Korea:
Hee-Sheop Choi (Inferred, as he was the Korean rep at the All-Star Game conference)

Netherlands:
Andruw Jones (inferred, as he was the Dutch/Curacaoian/Netherland Antillers rep at the All-Star Game conference)

Panama:
Carlos Lee (inferred, as he was the Panamanian rep at the ASG news conference)


Managers:
Japan: Sadaharu Oh
Korea: In-Sik Kim
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan): Hua-Wei Lin
China: Jim Lefebvre

USA: Unknown, it has supposedly been narrowed down to Buck Martinez and Don Baylor.
Canada: Ernie Whitt
Mexico: Francisco Estrada
South Africa: Unknown

Puerto Rico: Jose Oquendo
Cuba: Unknown, but I'm guessing it's Higinio Vélez, he was the manager of Cuba in IBF in 05
Panama: Roberto Kelly
Netherlands: Robert Eenhorn

Dominican Republic: Manny Acta
Venezuela: Luis Sojo
Australia: Jon Deeble
Italy: Unknown
Tell me if I missed anybody, as I'll update this list periodically.

http://www.fibs.it/news.asp?id_notizia=4434

Matt Galante, Gary Di Sarcina,Giampiero Faraone,Mauro Mazzotti. will be our staff.

[Andrea]

Player Country MLB Organization Last MLB Club Professional club
Catalanotto, Frank Italy TOR
DeRosa, Mark Italy TEX
Dellucci, David Italy TEX
DiFelice, Mike Italy NYM
Fiore, Tony Italy -- (MIN - 2003)
Gallo, Mike Italy HOU
Grilli, Jason Italy DET
Mantei, Matt Italy -- BOS
Menechino, Frank Italy -- TOR
Mirabelli, Doug Italy SD
Pascucci, Val Italy -- (MON - 2004)
Piazza, Mike Italy -- NYM
Vitiello, Joe Italy -- (MON - 2003)
Zoccolillo, Pete Italy -- (MIL - 2003)

Last update. we're waiting for simontacchi (2003 and 2004 with st louis, good MLB level starter) and Marco Scutaro.

Again, we're the underdogs, but this team can play a good baseball. Also some italian players from minors can play well, we have some italians playing in A and College, hopefully they'll be the back-ups.
Piazza, Catalanotto and Dellucci grant good offense, Mantei and Fiore solid relieving,
Grilli is a starter, Fiore started 2 in the 2003, but we need a SP who can go deep in the game, as Simontacchi (playing in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with STL) or Chris Capuano should do.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Player Country MLB Organization Last MLB Club Professional club
Catalanotto, Frank Italy TOR
DeRosa, Mark Italy TEX
Dellucci, David Italy TEX
DiFelice, Mike Italy NYM
Fiore, Tony Italy -- (MIN - 2003)
Gallo, Mike Italy HOU
Grilli, Jason Italy DET
Mantei, Matt Italy -- BOS
Menechino, Frank Italy -- TOR
Mirabelli, Doug Italy SD
Pascucci, Val Italy -- (MON - 2004)
Piazza, Mike Italy -- NYM
Vitiello, Joe Italy -- (MON - 2003)
Zoccolillo, Pete Italy -- (MIL - 2003)

Last update. we're waiting for simontacchi (2003 and 2004 with st louis, good MLB level starter) and Marco Scutaro.

Again, we're the underdogs, but this team can play a good baseball. Also some italian players from minors can play well, we have some italians playing in A and College, hopefully they'll be the back-ups.
Piazza, Catalanotto and Dellucci grant good offense, Mantei and Fiore solid relieving,
Grilli is a starter, Fiore started 2 in the 2003, but we need a SP who can go deep in the game, as Simontacchi (playing in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with STL) or Chris Capuano should do.

Underdogs? :eek:

No way. Holland has only Andruw Jones, maybe Sydney Ponson and Randall Simon. The other players will be AAA at most, but mainly AA, A or Dutch league.

So Italy have a bigger chance IMO that the Netherlands to reach the second round.

[Mike_Piazza]

So Italy have a bigger chance IMO that the Netherlands to reach the second round.

Also with italian-american MLB players we have no chances vs
Venezuela and DR and we have not to underestimate Australia.

[Andrea]

Underdogs? :eek:

No way. Holland has only Andruw Jones, maybe Sydney Ponson and Randall Simon. The other players will be AAA at most, but mainly AA, A or Dutch league.

So Italy have a bigger chance IMO that the Netherlands to reach the second round.
What about great prospect Alexander Smit? Will he play for Holland? He can be the next Blyleven!!!

[DominicanPlayer]

I heard Sammy Sosa was going to play for the Dominican Rep. But who cares he sucks now... but you never know...

[Licey Fan]

What about great prospect Alexander Smit? Will he play for Holland? He can be the next Blyleven!!!

I think Holland has more chance, because Italy's in a thougher group... You have to get past Venezuela and Dominican Republic

On the other hand, Netherland's in the same bracket as Puerto Rico, Cuba and Panama... And if Cuba doesn't go, then is Nicaragua taking their spot... So the top 2 are up for grabs! :rolleyes:

[Mike_Piazza]

According this new

http://www.fibs.it/news.asp?id_notizia=4454

John Franco will be our pitching coach,another coach will be Jim Mansilla,an old friend of the italian baseball that coached Italy in Olympic Games in LA.

[Andruw]

1/07/2006 6:38 PM ET


Buehrle, Iguchi bow out of WBC
By Scott Merkin/MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The White Sox player commitment to the inaugural World Baseball Classic has been cut in half, with pitcher Mark Buehrle and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi announcing Saturday they would not be part of the competition.

Instead, the duo will be part of Spring Training from the outset, focusing on repeating their World Series title earned in 2005. With the training schedule and Far Eastern locale for the Japanese team, Iguchi would have missed all but the final week of action in Arizona if his country reached the WBC championship.

The standout rookie, who contributed so much both in the field defensively and at the plate last year for the White Sox, decided he should use his springtime to prepare for year No. 2 in Major League Baseball.

"Unfortunately, I've decided to withdraw from the squad," Iguchi said while training in Japan's southernmost island of Okinawa, Kyodo News agency reported. "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 role with the White Sox looks as if it will change significantly in 2006. The former Japanese All-Star for Fukouka sacrificed his power numbers in Chicago, focusing instead on situational hitting, while situated at the second spot of the order behind Scott Podsednik. Juan Uribe is expected to move into the second spot this season, according to manager Ozzie Guillen, with Iguchi dropping lower in the order and into a run-producing mode.

Kyodo News also reported that Iguchi informed Japanese manager Sadaharu Oh of his decision. Buehrle acknowledged Saturday that 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. The left-hander, who appeared in 38 games and made 37 starts between the regular season, All-Star Game and postseason, decided to put the team's well-being above his own honor to be selected as part of this international competition.

"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."

Along with the 37 starts, Buehrle threw a single-season career-high total of 262 innings. The White Sox rotation was pushed to its maximum innings limit in 2005 as well as having three starting hurlers in the unknown that is the WBC. That combination had general manager Ken Williams concerned enough that he planned to take six starting pitchers into Spring Training.

Brandon McCarthy, who has the potential to win 15 games and top 200 innings, would serve as a talented insurance policy out of the bullpen for Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras. For now, Garcia still plans to pitch for Venezuela and Vazquez will suit up for Puerto Rico in the WBC.

Vazquez was questioned about the WBC's effect on his upcoming season during a December conference call to announce his acquisition from Arizona. But the right-hander 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."

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

What about great prospect Alexander Smit? Will he play for Holland? He can be the next Blyleven!!!

As far as I know, he will play. Last season he played Gulf Coast League for the Twins.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I think Holland has more chance, because Italy's in a thougher group... You have to get past Venezuela and Dominican Republic

On the other hand, Netherland's in the same bracket as Puerto Rico, Cuba and Panama... And if Cuba doesn't go, then is Nicaragua taking their spot... So the top 2 are up for grabs! :rolleyes:

I don't think so. Panama and Cuba are full with Major League players. The only Major Leaguer in the Dutch team is Andruw Jones. I think that we will have a couple of AAA players though. But the most of the players will come from the Dutch competition.

[Andruw]

Underdogs? :eek:

No way. Holland has only Andruw Jones, maybe Sydney Ponson and Randall Simon. The other players will be AAA at most, but mainly AA, A or Dutch league.

So Italy have a bigger chance IMO that the Netherlands to reach the second round.

Other interesting dutch players (and MLB rookies) infielder de Caster (Pittsburgh) and outfielder Balentien (Seattle) .

[Andruw]

Team USA to unveil initial WBC roster
Announcement to come Monday on BaseballChannel.TV
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

Giants slugger Barry Bonds is one of many Major League players who gave firm commitments to Team USA and the WBC. (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)
MLB Headlines

NEW YORK -- With little more than 50 days before the start of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Team USA is scheduled to announce its initial 60-man roster on Monday replete with an All-Star cast of Major League players.
Bob Watson is slated to make the annoucement on BaseballChannel.TV at 7 p.m. ET at the outset of a 30-minute show hosted by Casey Stern.

Watson, who doubles as the Major League Baseball vice president of on-field operations and as general manager of USA Baseball, was intimately involved in the player selection process that took months. The Classic is the first international tournament to boast Major League players and is currently scheduled for March 3-20 in the U.S., Japan and Puerto Rico.

"We're going to announce the roster and then talk about what happens from now until the start of the tournament," Stern said. "Sort of from soup to nuts."

The 60-man rosters of all 16 teams are supposed to be filed with the International Baseball Federation on Wednesday. Only half that amount of players will be in uniform for each team when the games begin in Japan's Tokyo Dome on March 3. The U.S. opens camp in Arizona at newly christened Chase Field on the same day and manager Buck Martinez said he will have his squad cut to 30 players on that date.

All 60-man rosters must be submitted 45 days before the start of the tournament so players can begin random drug testing under international rules.

The U.S. has already had firm commitments from, among others, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants; Roger Clemens, formerly of the Houston Astros; Dontrelle Willis of the Florida Marlins; Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds; Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees and is waiting for word from Alex Rodriguez, Jeter's teammate and the Most Valuable Player in the American League this past season.

Rodriguez has changed his mind on several occasions about playing in the tournament, first saying he would compete with his native Dominican Republic and then opting out completely. He has had several conversations, though, with MLB and player association officials this week and may indeed play for Team USA.

Clemens, who is a free agent, has yet to determine whether he'll pitch his 23rd season or retire from the game. The 43-year-old right-hander said late last year that he would participate in the World Baseball Classic only if he is fully recovered from the hamstring injury that knocked him out of the opening game of the World Series, in which his Astros we're ultimately swept by the Chicago White Sox.

Stern said the announcement of the U.S. roster would be followed by a discussion with Watson replete with graphics and video that will include the A-Rod process and the possibility of whether Clemens will play.

With Clemens and the 41-year-old Bonds, who missed much of the 2005 season after a series of surgeries on his left knee, the U.S. team would have two of MLB's greatest all-time players on the roster.

Clemens ended this past season with 341 victories and 4,502 strikeouts. The left-handed-swinging Bonds heads into 2006 in hot pursuit of Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) on the all-time list. Bonds, with 708, is just six away from Ruth.

[DownUnderDodger]

The Australian National Championships are being held this month and the following players who are linked to MLB clubs will be taking part.

Trent Durrington (QLD) - Major League player for the Boston Red Sox
Phil Stockman (QLD) - 2004 Silver medal Olympian
Brendan Kingman (NSW) - 2004 Silver medal Olympian
Trent Oeltjen (NSW) - Minnesotta Twins and 2004 Silver medal Olympian
Tom Brice (SA) - Chicago White Sox and 2004 Silver medal Olympian
Adam Bright (VIC) - Colorado Rockies
Justin Huber (VIC) - Major League player for Kansas City Royals
Dean White (WA) - Atlanta Braves
Allan de San Miguel (WA) - Minnesotta Twins and ABF inaugural Baseball Australia Diamond Award recipient of Youth Player of the Year

Not only is national honours on the line, but representation in the national team to play in the up-coming World Baseball Classic is also being fought for.
The National team will be selected after the Championships.

[Aussie_Stengelese]

DownUnderDodger,

You going to catch any games at the Claxton Shield? All the NSW games are usually night games which is convenient....

[DownUnderDodger]

DownUnderDodger,

You going to catch any games at the Claxton Shield? All the NSW games are usually night games which is convenient....
Unforyunately I probably won't because I don't live in Sydney and also I work evening shifts at my current job. If I get an opportunity I will take it though! The Stadium at Blacktown is quite good, but a long drive for me.

By the way, welcome to Baseball Fever!

[Aussie_Stengelese]

Thanks mate, its nice to find a forum with intelligent baseball discussion. Haven't been attacked by any Yankee haters yet.

Yeah the stadium at Blacktown is nice, caught quite a few games at last years Shield... Just a shame the event doesn't get more support (or any support) in the Australian media...

[DownUnderDodger]

We get occasional paragraphs in our local paper about the local comp which has 4 teams, but as you say, there is virtually no media support of baseball of any kind here. I wonder if the WBC will draw any attention? If our guys start winning it may - our media loves winners!! Just look at American Basketball - got very little attention until Andrew Bogut was #1 draft and started doing things!!

[Andruw]

1/14/2006 10:06 PM ET
Garciaparra to suit up for Mexico
By Ken Gurnick/MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- New Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra, a native of Whittier, Calif., but the son of Mexican parents, will play for Mexico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

"He's honored to be asked and to participate," general manager Ned Colletti said of Garciaparra.

Colletti said that Garciaparra will report to Spring Training on Feb. 14 with the pitchers and catchers, and will work with new hitting coach Eddie Murray on making the transition to first base before he leaves for training camp in Arizona with the Mexican national team.

Colletti expressed no reluctance over Garciaparra's desire to participate, even if it takes him away from training camp while learning a new defensive position.

"He's called me every step of the way," Colletti said. "He didn't want it to distract from his learning curve during the spring."

Mexico is in Group B of the world tournament, playing against the United States, Canada and South Africa. The Aztec team includes pitchers Oliver Perez of Pittsburgh, Rodrigo Lopez of Baltimore and Luis Ayala of Washington.

[Andruw]

Team USA's initial roster

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060116&content_id=1296192&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb