martinodonnell@ymail.com posted on February 04, 2009
Baseball is known to many in the U.S. as the countries most famous pastime. What many people may not know is that it is not just the United States that looks to baseball as one of the best games ever created.
On March 5, the U.S. along with fifteen other countries, will participate in the second World Baseball Classic. After a three year break the Classic is back. This competition will be featuring some of the Major League Baseball’s top notch all stars such as Derek Lee of the Chicago cubs as well as some players that are not as well known such as Italy’s Luca Panerati.
In the first classic the U.S., who was viewed as the premier world power in the sport, was sent home early after loosing to border rivals Mexico. Witch in turn set the stage for Asian powerhouse Japan to take the title as best in the World.
The U.S. will be expecting to change that in March with a team that will be featuring some of the country’s greatest stars including Philadelphia Phillies standout shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
It will not just be the U.S. that will have Major League Baseball names on their roster. Teams such as the Dominican Republic will have a heavy lineup of Major League talent with names like Alex Rodriguez, Jose Reyes, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada and Albert Pujols.
The first game of the Classic will start on March 5th and will continue through March 23rd. ESPN, ESPN2 and MLB TV will be airing the games.
- By Martin O'Donnell