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Introducing Team USA
Bevy of stars head US WBC roster
A-Rod absent, but Bonds, Griffey among notables
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Team USA announced a portion of its provisional 60-man roster on Monday, and right now Alex Rodriguez, the two-time American League Most Valuable Player, isn't on it.
Otherwise, among the 42 men tabbed for the roster is a virtual Who's Who of Major League Baseball stars. From Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Ken Griffey Jr. to a bullpen replete with Brad Lidge, Huston Street and Billy Wagner.
The U.S. has until 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday to add players to the squad and officials said they weren't done yet.
"We've got a roster of players on board who are committed to the team and I'm very pleased with that," said former Toronto manager Buck Martinez, who will be the skipper of the squad. "Our position players and bullpen are very deep. This gives us a roster that's as good as any team."
The World Baseball 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. Major League Baseball officials have been waiting since Dec. 22 for the U.S. Treasury Dept. to review its earlier decision and allow Cuba to play in the tournament.
That decision was expected last week, but it has yet to come down. With the International Baseball Federation threatening to remove its sanction if Cuba isn't allowed to play, the tournament may be hanging in the balance.
The 60-man rosters of all 16 teams are supposed to be filed with the IBAF by the Tuesday deadline so players can begin random drug testing under international rules. Team Canada announced a portion of its roster in Toronto on Saturday, including Jason Bay, Matt Stairs and Corey Koskie. Teams don't have to go to a full 60, but no player can join a roster after the deadline.
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 Martinez said he would have his squad cut to the 30-player limit on that date.
At this stage, the U.S. has 19 pitchers, six catchers, 10 infielders and 11 outfielders.
By virtue of the players announced on Monday, Martinez could field a starting position team that would include Derrek Lee at first base; Chase Utley at second base; Derek Jeter at shortstop; Chipper Jones at third base, Jason Varitek behind the plate; Griffey, Johnny Damon and Vernon Wells in the outfield and Bonds as the designated hitter.
The starting pitching staff includes Clemens, Dontrelle Willis, Jake Peavy and Andy Pettitte.
Martinez said he wasn't convinced, though, that Clemens would play.
"But I am encouraged," he said about the seven-time Cy Young Award right-hander. "Clemens has the desire to play. He's sticking to his conditioning program and I'm anxious to see what kind of shape he's in."
Clemens finished his 13-8, 1.87 ERA 2005 season for the Astros with a hamstring injury that hampered him in the postseason. He came out of the first game of the World Series in Chicago against the White Sox after the first inning and didn't pitch again. A free agent, in December the Astros declined to offer arbitration and now can't sign him until May 1. Even so, Clemens, now 43, has yet to announce whether he'll play his 23rd season.
Additionally, the U.S. has been waiting word from Rodriguez whether he'll join his Yankees teammates Jeter and Damon on the team.
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 had several conversations, though, with MLB and player association officials this past week and may indeed play for Team USA.
But Martinez said he had no update on A-Rod's status.
"I know about as much on that as you do," he said.
Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
A-Rod absent, but Bonds, Griffey among notables
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Team USA announced a portion of its provisional 60-man roster on Monday, and right now Alex Rodriguez, the two-time American League Most Valuable Player, isn't on it.
Otherwise, among the 42 men tabbed for the roster is a virtual Who's Who of Major League Baseball stars. From Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Ken Griffey Jr. to a bullpen replete with Brad Lidge, Huston Street and Billy Wagner.
The U.S. has until 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday to add players to the squad and officials said they weren't done yet.
"We've got a roster of players on board who are committed to the team and I'm very pleased with that," said former Toronto manager Buck Martinez, who will be the skipper of the squad. "Our position players and bullpen are very deep. This gives us a roster that's as good as any team."
The World Baseball 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. Major League Baseball officials have been waiting since Dec. 22 for the U.S. Treasury Dept. to review its earlier decision and allow Cuba to play in the tournament.
That decision was expected last week, but it has yet to come down. With the International Baseball Federation threatening to remove its sanction if Cuba isn't allowed to play, the tournament may be hanging in the balance.
The 60-man rosters of all 16 teams are supposed to be filed with the IBAF by the Tuesday deadline so players can begin random drug testing under international rules. Team Canada announced a portion of its roster in Toronto on Saturday, including Jason Bay, Matt Stairs and Corey Koskie. Teams don't have to go to a full 60, but no player can join a roster after the deadline.
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 Martinez said he would have his squad cut to the 30-player limit on that date.
At this stage, the U.S. has 19 pitchers, six catchers, 10 infielders and 11 outfielders.
By virtue of the players announced on Monday, Martinez could field a starting position team that would include Derrek Lee at first base; Chase Utley at second base; Derek Jeter at shortstop; Chipper Jones at third base, Jason Varitek behind the plate; Griffey, Johnny Damon and Vernon Wells in the outfield and Bonds as the designated hitter.
The starting pitching staff includes Clemens, Dontrelle Willis, Jake Peavy and Andy Pettitte.
Martinez said he wasn't convinced, though, that Clemens would play.
"But I am encouraged," he said about the seven-time Cy Young Award right-hander. "Clemens has the desire to play. He's sticking to his conditioning program and I'm anxious to see what kind of shape he's in."
Clemens finished his 13-8, 1.87 ERA 2005 season for the Astros with a hamstring injury that hampered him in the postseason. He came out of the first game of the World Series in Chicago against the White Sox after the first inning and didn't pitch again. A free agent, in December the Astros declined to offer arbitration and now can't sign him until May 1. Even so, Clemens, now 43, has yet to announce whether he'll play his 23rd season.
Additionally, the U.S. has been waiting word from Rodriguez whether he'll join his Yankees teammates Jeter and Damon on the team.
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 had several conversations, though, with MLB and player association officials this past week and may indeed play for Team USA.
But Martinez said he had no update on A-Rod's status.
"I know about as much on that as you do," he said.
Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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