Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

US name players for World Baseball Classic
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-16 07:46

NEW YORK: Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter are among the headliners on the 30-man US team roster announced on Tuesday for next month's inaugural World Baseball Classic.

The 16-nation tournament will feature the world's best players competing for their home countries staged over three weeks.

Clemens, 43, winner of a record seven Cy Young Awards for major league pitching excellence, will be joined by fellow-starters Dontrelle Willis, Jake Peavy and C.C. Sabathia on a pitching staff that will be stacked with 10 relievers.

"I'm excited to be a part of it," Clemens, a free agent after going 13-8 with a major league-best 1.87 ERA last year with Houston, said in a teleconference call on Tuesday. "Obviously. this is a good group of guys. We'll be ready to go."

Third baseman Rodriguez and shortstop Jeter, New York Yankee team-mates, will man the left side of the infield. Other infielders named include Chipper Jones, Michael Young, Chase Utley and slugging first basemen Derrek Lee and Mark Teixeira.

Jason Varitek is one of three catchers and outfielders named who include Johnny Damon, Vernon Wells and Ken Griffey Jr.

Stoppers Billy Wagner, Joe Nathan and Brad Lidge top the relief corps, which US manager Buck Martinez said was the key to the pitching staff.

"The strength of the team is in the closing staff, with the power of the closers," Martinez said about the pre-season competition that will have starting pitchers limited by strict pitch counts to protect their arms.

"They have a tendency to get ready early. They have the tendency to throw strikes. I think the relievers will be a little more advanced than the starters. We have a lot of depth in that bullpen from guys who can give us innings and get us through this thing."

Wagner said he looked forward to playing for his country.
Page: 12



Men's figure skating final
Selected Reuters sports pictures on Feb.12-13
Ren wins bronze for China
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

China urges Pakistan to catch killers of engineers

 

   
 

France accuses Iran of making nuclear arms

 

   
 

Bernanke says China's might no threat

 

   
 

Fifteen die from carbon monoxide poisoning

 

   
 

New photos of Abu Ghraib abuse surface

 

   
 

China calls for talks over trade conflict

 

   
  Turin gets its first positive doping test
   
  Debutant Wang repeats history;seeking more golds
   
  Real overtake Man United as world's richest club
   
  Iverson sparks 76ers past Spurs in OT
   
  Rodman aiming for NBA return after British stint
   
  Ten-man Roma win again, Udinese thump Lens
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement