Just as much as everyone is talking about the Japanese team for the World Baseball Classic, the United States team is also a hot topic as the final roster finally gets put together. One such player is Anaheim Angels pitcher John Lackey, who is already startiung to get in shape for the first few rounds in four different countries, beginning March 5th. “The USA committee called and it sounded like a great opportunity, so I was pumped to be a part of it,” Lackey said Tuesday at the Angels’ annual Children’s Holiday Party. Though Lackey didn’t play in the first Classic, which was held in 2006 when the US lost after going 3-3, he went 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 24 games. “I’m real pumped about it,” he continued. “It’s going to be real good.” Managing the US is Davey Johnson, who led the US team to a bronze medal this year at the Beijing Olympics. Johnson was introduced as the team manager during the Las Vegas Winter Meetings by Derek Jeter. Johnson’s team will consist of 28 members and will begin training together March 2 in Clearwater, Florida, the spring home for the Phillies. Our country’s first game is March 7 against Canada in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, where World Baseball Classic tickets can be purchased for that game and others (the final matches are played this year at Dodger Stadium) at StubHub.com!
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