timvp
07-13-2005, 04:49 AM
Dominicans ready to take on the world
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/SPORTS/507130500/1002
Baseball showcases world's talent
Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/13/05
Now you've seen the National League squad. And the American. But mark this down. The All-Star team you won't want to miss is still eight months away.
Baseball borrowed this little gala to announce plans for its first World Classic next March, thereby unleashing a ferocious beast upon an unsuspecting world.
We refer, of course, to the Dominican Republic.
Sixteen countries will field teams, as the sport tries to go NBA-like global, now that the Olympics have told baseball to take a hike. And though having Australia along will be nice and Italy swell — and organizers still have to convince the Cubans that half their roster won't defect by the seventh inning — I think we all know who the dream team will be.
One of every 10 major league players comes from the Dominican Republic, which at 8.7 million has roughly the population of New Jersey.
"We are hungry," Albert Pujols was saying, "for the game."
So we noticed. Consider the potential lineup next spring, most of whom were in Comerica Park Tuesday night.
How about Pujols at first, Alfonso Soriano at second, Miguel Tejada at short and Aramis Ramirez at third? (Current combined 2005 stats: 81 homers and 244 RBI).
How about an outfield of Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen, with David Ortiz as DH? (Current combined 2005 stats: 77 home runs, 257 RBI).
How about Luis Castillo (.331 average), Moises Alou (six-time All-Star) and Adrian Beltre (48 home runs and 121 RBI last season) coming off the BENCH.
Pedro Martinez can start on the mound, and then Bartolo Colon. As for closers, four different Dominicans have at least 15 saves this season.
And this won't be some quasi-exhibition in July, staged as Act II the night after a home run contest. They'll be playing for the faithful back in Santo Domingo. This time, as the TV ads say, it'll count.
"My country is all baseball," Tejada said. "we get up in the morning, we play baseball. Before we go to bed at night, we play baseball.
"They are going to be so excited to see all the players on one team. I know some people, if they can't get a visa, they will try to come through Mexico to see the series."
There you have it. Fans splashing across the Rio Grande, accepting any hardship to see Ortiz take John Smoltz deep.
Of course, it all depends on who plays. That is part of the fine print of this idea, getting major leaguers to take time away from the carefree days of spring training to play games that mean something. Because, really, who wants to be a goat before St. Patrick's Day?
The pitchers, especially. In March, they are accustomed to working a few friendly innings. Now their country will want their A game.
"I don't think it will be an issue," said Dontrelle Willis, who presumably will be one of the pitchers for our Yanks. "Because this is something bigger than just us."
And no one — absolutely no one — will understand that more than the Dominicans.
If Americans can't decide if they idolize movie stars or rock singers or basketball players more, the Dominican Republic has no such confusion.
"I know there are many people there who follow me and want to be like Albert Pujols," Pujols said.
"You want to make sure you do great things on the field and off the field, representing your name. Not to get the credit, because you know those people are already giving you credit."
So while this World Cup concoction may have upsides and down, the Dominicans united should be a wondrous sight to watch. Unless you have to pitch against them.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/SPORTS/507130500/1002
Baseball showcases world's talent
Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/13/05
Now you've seen the National League squad. And the American. But mark this down. The All-Star team you won't want to miss is still eight months away.
Baseball borrowed this little gala to announce plans for its first World Classic next March, thereby unleashing a ferocious beast upon an unsuspecting world.
We refer, of course, to the Dominican Republic.
Sixteen countries will field teams, as the sport tries to go NBA-like global, now that the Olympics have told baseball to take a hike. And though having Australia along will be nice and Italy swell — and organizers still have to convince the Cubans that half their roster won't defect by the seventh inning — I think we all know who the dream team will be.
One of every 10 major league players comes from the Dominican Republic, which at 8.7 million has roughly the population of New Jersey.
"We are hungry," Albert Pujols was saying, "for the game."
So we noticed. Consider the potential lineup next spring, most of whom were in Comerica Park Tuesday night.
How about Pujols at first, Alfonso Soriano at second, Miguel Tejada at short and Aramis Ramirez at third? (Current combined 2005 stats: 81 homers and 244 RBI).
How about an outfield of Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen, with David Ortiz as DH? (Current combined 2005 stats: 77 home runs, 257 RBI).
How about Luis Castillo (.331 average), Moises Alou (six-time All-Star) and Adrian Beltre (48 home runs and 121 RBI last season) coming off the BENCH.
Pedro Martinez can start on the mound, and then Bartolo Colon. As for closers, four different Dominicans have at least 15 saves this season.
And this won't be some quasi-exhibition in July, staged as Act II the night after a home run contest. They'll be playing for the faithful back in Santo Domingo. This time, as the TV ads say, it'll count.
"My country is all baseball," Tejada said. "we get up in the morning, we play baseball. Before we go to bed at night, we play baseball.
"They are going to be so excited to see all the players on one team. I know some people, if they can't get a visa, they will try to come through Mexico to see the series."
There you have it. Fans splashing across the Rio Grande, accepting any hardship to see Ortiz take John Smoltz deep.
Of course, it all depends on who plays. That is part of the fine print of this idea, getting major leaguers to take time away from the carefree days of spring training to play games that mean something. Because, really, who wants to be a goat before St. Patrick's Day?
The pitchers, especially. In March, they are accustomed to working a few friendly innings. Now their country will want their A game.
"I don't think it will be an issue," said Dontrelle Willis, who presumably will be one of the pitchers for our Yanks. "Because this is something bigger than just us."
And no one — absolutely no one — will understand that more than the Dominicans.
If Americans can't decide if they idolize movie stars or rock singers or basketball players more, the Dominican Republic has no such confusion.
"I know there are many people there who follow me and want to be like Albert Pujols," Pujols said.
"You want to make sure you do great things on the field and off the field, representing your name. Not to get the credit, because you know those people are already giving you credit."
So while this World Cup concoction may have upsides and down, the Dominicans united should be a wondrous sight to watch. Unless you have to pitch against them.