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  1. #1
    5. timvp's Avatar
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    Dominicans ready to take on the world
    http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...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.

  2. #2
    5. timvp's Avatar
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  3. #3
    Bling Bling Eva's Avatar
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    Big Papi!

  4. #4
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    A Rod is saying he'd definitely play for the Dominican, also. Both his parents are from the DR. That's a ridiculous lineup.

  5. #5
    I love craft beer. Sense's Avatar
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    Arod is a

    but that lineup is pretty stacked

    americans arent to shabby either

    and my canadians.....

    like bay on the homerun derby?


  6. #6
    You can't handle The Truth TheTruth's Avatar
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    American Team

    C - Jason Varitek
    1b - Todd Helton
    2b - Brian Roberts
    SS - Derek Jeter
    3b - Scott Rolen
    LF - Barry Bonds
    CF - Jim Edmonds/Tori Hunter
    RF - Jim Edmonds/Tori Hunter

    Starting Pitchers - Mark Prior, Roy Halladay, Dontrelle Willis, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Josh Beckett, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, ETC ETC ETC ETC

    Relievers - John Smoltz, Billy Wagner, Joe Nathan, a few of the above starters.

    If I were the U.S. i would build around pitching and defense. The above team would be tough to score on. And the Offense should be just fine.
    Last edited by TheTruth; 07-14-2005 at 08:46 AM.

  7. #7
    Believe.
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    Are You Dominican LJ? Anyway Were Gonna Pound The Out Of Any Team... Especially Mexico, They Owe Us One....Oh And Whoever Said About A-Rod We Dont Want That Sellout , He Was In The News Talking About How Hes Not Dominican And Then He Tried To Play It Off By Donating Some Money To Charities In DR Fuk That Hoe

  8. #8
    Player To Be Named Later
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    A.Rodriguez might not be playing for the Dominican
    ________________________________________

    http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...ball-headlines
    A-Rod can't make that choice

    BY JIM BAUMBACH
    STAFF WRITER

    July 14, 2005

    Alex Rodriguez has not decided to play for the Dominican Republic over the United States in next March's World Baseball Classic -- because it's not his decision to make.

    Hours after Rodriguez reportedly told members of the Hispanic media Monday he plans to play for the Dominican Republic in the tournament, Bud Selig told him it will be the commissioner's decision, Rodriguez's spokesman, Steve Fortunato, said yesterday.

    And that's if George Steinbrenner even allows his players to take part in it.

    "It's too early in the process for these type of decisions to be made," Fortunato said. "First, he has to be selected to be a part of it. Then he has to decide if he wants to play, or if he will be allowed to play. Then he will be told what country to play for."

    In a story on ESPN's Web site yesterday, Rodriguez was quoted, "I am going to play for the Dominican Republic, and I am going to make the Dominicans feel proud."

    But Rodri.guez told MLB.com after the All-Star Game on Tuesday: "It would be a privilege for me to represent the U.S., and it would be a privilege for me to represent the Dominican Republic. Right now, it's in Bud Selig's hands to say what the rules are, and whatever they are, I'm going to follow."

    Rodriguez is a special case because he was born in New York and raised mostly in Miami, but his parents are of Dominican descent. Fortunato said Rodriguez, 30, carries a U.S. passport and considers himself an American. But even though Rodriguez wasn't born in the Dominican, the country's citizenship rules are less stringent than the United States', so he could be chosen to represent them.

    Selig did not give Rodriguez an indication which way he might be leaning. But although Rodriguez declined an invitation to take part in this year's Home Run Derby, had he chosen to take part, Major League Baseball had asked him to represent the United States.

    "He would be happy to represent either," Fortunato said. "Alex is content to let the commissioner decide."

    Fortunato said he spoke with Rodriguez yesterday and said the Yankees third baseman was excited and astonished that there was even a debate over which country he should play for, especially given the tournament is more than seven months away.

    "He said that is what the spirit of this compe ion is all about," Fortunato said.

    Of course, this all could be a moot point, since many believe Steinbrenner will put up a fight against allowing his players to take part in an exhibition during spring training.

    So before Selig decides A-Rod's fate, it could be Steinbrenner's decision.

  9. #9
    The Italian N.Y. Johnny's Avatar
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    I think Steinbrenner will not let them compete.

    ing ass!....the Domincan team is just a of a lineup, i'd love to see them go up against the Cuban National Team too.

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