A-Rod withdraw...

[Licey Fan]

Ok, so apparently this is the end of the novel... Thank god that his decision doesn't affect much either team, since both have good replacements for him... Even though, I would've like to see him in DR uniform

Source: ESPN

Is Alex Rodriguez going to play for the Dominican Republic or the United States in the World Baseball Classic? Apparently neither.

"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," Rodriguez told The New York Post for Friday's editions. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."

When the commissioner's office and the players' association announced commitments from players last week, Rodriguez's country was left blank. The New York Yankees third baseman, who last month won his second AL MVP award, was born in New York but his parents are Dominican.

"I am proud to be an American citizen and to have a Dominican legacy. My commitment to baseball is secondary to honoring my patriotic duties to my country and my ancestors," Rodriguez told The Post.

"Sports participation should only include the admiration and respect an athlete has for a nation and family. I intend to play baseball only when I am dedicated to both.

"Playing baseball for the New York Yankees allows you to honor and advance the interest of both without division."

Earlier this week, Rodriguez said he was leaning toward playing for the Dominican Republic.

"That seems to be pretty much where I'm leaning," Rodriguez said of the Dominican team during an interview Tuesday on WFAN radio. "I think it's going to be the team I'm going to represent, kind of like what [Mike] Piazza's doing with Italy."

The Post reported that Rodriguez's decision wasn't influenced by the Yankees, even though they already have told one player -- Jorge Posada -- this offseason that he can't play in the Classic.

[Cubano100%]

Ok, so apparently this is the end of the novel... Thank god that his decision doesn't affect much either team, since both have good replacements for him... Even though, I would've like to see him in DR uniform

Source: ESPN

Is Alex Rodriguez going to play for the Dominican Republic or the United States in the World Baseball Classic? Apparently neither.

"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," Rodriguez told The New York Post for Friday's editions. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."

When the commissioner's office and the players' association announced commitments from players last week, Rodriguez's country was left blank. The New York Yankees third baseman, who last month won his second AL MVP award, was born in New York but his parents are Dominican.

"I am proud to be an American citizen and to have a Dominican legacy. My commitment to baseball is secondary to honoring my patriotic duties to my country and my ancestors," Rodriguez told The Post.

"Sports participation should only include the admiration and respect an athlete has for a nation and family. I intend to play baseball only when I am dedicated to both.

"Playing baseball for the New York Yankees allows you to honor and advance the interest of both without division."

Earlier this week, Rodriguez said he was leaning toward playing for the Dominican Republic.

"That seems to be pretty much where I'm leaning," Rodriguez said of the Dominican team during an interview Tuesday on WFAN radio. "I think it's going to be the team I'm going to represent, kind of like what [Mike] Piazza's doing with Italy."

The Post reported that Rodriguez's decision wasn't influenced by the Yankees, even though they already have told one player -- Jorge Posada -- this offseason that he can't play in the Classic.

I salute you for your decision. I admire you more now than before! You will be missed certainly.

[Mike_Piazza]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2280183

Now he wants to play for USA.
Good for baseball if he plays.

[Andruw]

Source: A-Rod hasn't committed to WBC

By Mark Feinsand/MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez may wind up playing in the World Baseball Classic after all, though he had not made any official decision as of Wednesday.

Despite a report in the New York Times, which said that A-Rod is "expected to announce this week that he has changed his mind and will play for the United States team," a source with knowledge of the situation said that the reigning American League MVP has not committed to participating in the event.

Rodriguez has been on vacation with his family since the holidays, and isn't expected to make any announcement until next week, assuming he does in fact change his mind.

Rodriguez was named as one of 177 Major League players committed to the event during the Winter Meetings, though he was one of the few that was not attached to a country. When the event was first announced back at the All-Star Game in July, Rodriguez said that he would look for guidance from Major League Baseball and the Players Association.

In December, he said in a radio interview that he was leaning toward playing for the Dominican Republic, but told the New York Post just days later that he would skip the event altogether.

"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," Rodriguez told the paper. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."

"I am proud to be an American citizen and to have a Dominican legacy," A-Rod told the paper. "My commitment to baseball is secondary to honoring my patriotic duties to my country and my ancestors."

Gene Orza, chief operating officer of the MLBPA, said at the time that he hoped Rodriguez would change his mind.

"Alex has, and I'm sure continues, to agonize over this decision," Orza said in a December e-mail to the Associated Press. "I would not regard his statement [Friday] as the final or definitive word. Alex is also devoted to the growth of baseball internationally, and is a fan of baseball in the Olympics. He realizes that the WBC serves both of those interests. We haven't spoken yet. We will. And having known and respected him since he was drafted, my suspicion is that, in the end, fans around the world will see Alex in a WBC uniform."

The only Yankees currently planning to play in the WBC are Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon of the United States, Robinson Cano of the Dominican Republic and Bernie Williams of Puerto Rico.

Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.