The reigning World Baseball Classic champs are set to keep their record when they revealed this year’s lineup for the 2009 WBC, which includes several Major League Baseball players. Japan revealed their preliminary 34 man roster today, including seven big players from the MLB for the Classic, an evening that features 16 teams in four pools playing March 5-23. The first round will take place in four countries with the semifinals and finals will take place right here in our country on the West Coast, at Dodger Stadium. Heading the forerunners are outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners (who shined during the last World Baseball Classic when he played for Japan enough to get a contract with the Mariners for six years), and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Red Sox. Japan manager Tatsunori Hara will have Seattle’s Kenji Johijma, Hiroki Kuroda of the Dogers, Akinori Iwamura of the Tampa Bay Rays, Kosuke Fukudome of the Chicago Cubs and free agent pitcher Takashi Saito. Recovering from a knee injury, New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui wasn’t included but will be there in spirit. Several of Japan’s professional players will be part of the roster as well, making for a successful team. Check out StubHub.com now for your own World Baseball Classic tickets today! Don’t miss out!
Posted in Uncategorized on December 15, 2008
