Although they have until March 2 to submit the official roster, Team U.S.A. decided to take Feb. 14 as the day they narrowed the field of 52 willing participants to an even 30. The team was announced on MLB.com radio by Team USA manager Buck Martinez and general manager Bob Watson.
The World Baseball Classic will take place March 3-20, and feature 16 teams from 16 countries.
Team USA
Starting pitchers:
Roger Clemens (no current team)
Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres
Dontrelle Willis, Florida Marlins
C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians
Relief pitchers:
Chad Cordero, Washintgon Nationals
Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies
Todd Jones, Detroit Tigers
Brad Lidge, Houston Astros
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
Scot Shields, Los Angeles Angels
Huston Street, Oakland A's
Mike Timlin, Boston Red Sox
Billy Wagner, New York Mets
Dan Wheeler, Houston Astros
Catchers:
Michael Barrett, Chicago Cubs
Brian Schneider, Washington Nationals
Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox
Infielders:
1B - Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs
1B - Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers
2B - Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
2B/SS - Michael Young, Texas Rangers
SS - Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
3B - Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
3B - Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
Outfielders:
Johnny Damon, New York Yankees
Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves
Ken Griffey, Jr., Cincinnati Reds
Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies
Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
Randy Winn, San Francisco Giants
Quick analysis: With only four starters and ten relievers, expect the starters to not last the entire game. This is very similar to spring training, so hopefully injuries won't occur in this inaugural tournament.
The infield is extremely deep, but Francoeur, Winn and Holliday were surprises to me in the outfield.
No White Sox were named to the team, yet three pitchers from last year's Astros team will be present.
Shockingly, no Devil Rays, Royals or Mariners made the team.
Article comments
1 - Jeff Garcia
There are going to be some limitations on pitch count in the World Baseball Series, so the Americans loading up with Relievers/Closers makes sense.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
There's also going to be a 14-inning cap on the round robin games. I would have liked to see maybe one more starter like Roy Halladay in the mix, just in case.
3 - marc rosenberg
Where can I get a copy of the 2006 World Baseball Classic DVD