Tweet
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Vlad could return for the second round
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com
ORLANDO, Florida -- Bartolo Colon thinks it's possible that his Los Angeles Angels teammate Vladimir Guerrero will play for the Dominican Republic in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Guerrero was allowed to leave Angels spring training in order to go home to the Dominican, after three of his cousins died in a car accident.
"I've been in contact with Vlad in recent days, just to tell him we're all here to support him," Colon told ESPNdeportes.com. "I talked to him after we beat Venezuela, and he was pretty excited. I really think there's a good possibility he'll join the team," he added.
Colon pitched three shutout innings against the Venezuelans in the D.R.'s 11-5 victory on Tuesday. The D.R. will resume play Thursday against Italy and finish Group D play Friday with Australia.
Guerrero was slated to play right field and hit fifth for the Dominican squad, but dropped out of the event after the tragic death of his cousins.
"We're with Vladimir 100 percent and we'll support him, no matter what decision he ultimately makes," said Manny Acta, manager of the Dominican team. "I wouldn't want anyone to think we're more concerned with the team than with Guerrero's mental state, after what he's been through," he added.
"This is a decision Guerrero has to make for himself, but so far, we've gotten no indication that he will play in the World Classic," said Fiz Astacio, one of Vlad's representatives.
Stan Javier, general manager of the Dominican team, said that the WBC organizers have until the beginning of the second round to officially add Guerrero to the roster. He is currently being replaced by Luis Polonia.
Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.
Vlad could return for the second round
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com
ORLANDO, Florida -- Bartolo Colon thinks it's possible that his Los Angeles Angels teammate Vladimir Guerrero will play for the Dominican Republic in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Guerrero was allowed to leave Angels spring training in order to go home to the Dominican, after three of his cousins died in a car accident.
"I've been in contact with Vlad in recent days, just to tell him we're all here to support him," Colon told ESPNdeportes.com. "I talked to him after we beat Venezuela, and he was pretty excited. I really think there's a good possibility he'll join the team," he added.
Colon pitched three shutout innings against the Venezuelans in the D.R.'s 11-5 victory on Tuesday. The D.R. will resume play Thursday against Italy and finish Group D play Friday with Australia.
Guerrero was slated to play right field and hit fifth for the Dominican squad, but dropped out of the event after the tragic death of his cousins.
"We're with Vladimir 100 percent and we'll support him, no matter what decision he ultimately makes," said Manny Acta, manager of the Dominican team. "I wouldn't want anyone to think we're more concerned with the team than with Guerrero's mental state, after what he's been through," he added.
"This is a decision Guerrero has to make for himself, but so far, we've gotten no indication that he will play in the World Classic," said Fiz Astacio, one of Vlad's representatives.
Stan Javier, general manager of the Dominican team, said that the WBC organizers have until the beginning of the second round to officially add Guerrero to the roster. He is currently being replaced by Luis Polonia.
Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.