Thursday, January 22, 2009

World Baseball Classic Announces Provisinal Rosters

The main reason we are heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico, is to catch Pool D play of the World Baseball Classic. The WBC announced provisional rosters yesterday and it looks like we're in for some pretty good baseball. Pool D is made up of the Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

You would think that with the Classic kicking off in 41 days, they'd have more than just the provisional rosters out, but it sounds like some MLB teams are pushing back on letting their star players participate. The LA Angels have scratched John Lackey and are working to pull Vladimir Guerrero and Mike Napoli. The Yankees have denied Jorge Posada what is most likely his last opportunity to play in the WBC, but have given the OK for 13 other players to participate. The key factor in these decisions seems to be injuries that caused players to miss part of last season or recovery from surgery during the off season.

Our beloved Red Sox look to be fairly well represented this tournament. Making the provisional roster are Jason Bay (CAN), Javier Lopez (PUR), Mike Lowell (PUR), Daisuke Matsuzaka (JPN), Hideki Okajima (JPN), David "Big Papi" Ortiz (DOM), Dustin Pedroia (USA), Ramon Ramirez (DOM), and Kevin Youkilis (USA).

Looking forward to sun, great food, and amazing baseball.

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