Congratulations Team Japan

Lara*

It's Been a Long Time...

...But here I am again. So sorry for the lack of updates over the past few weeks, but I've been busy. Lots of things have happened since I last posted:

- Spring Training exhibition games have gotten underway. In the Grapefruit League, the Yankees are an even .500 after today's 5-0 shutout win.
- The World Baseball Classic has kicked off, and Team USA played its first game today, winning a close game against Mexico 2-0. Both runs came on solo homeruns from Derrek Lee and Chipper Jones. The three Yankees in the starting lineup, Damon, Jeter, and Rodriguez, each had one hit in three at-bats, but really did not contribute much to the win.
- HOWEVER, Bernie Williams came through with two hits today playing for Puerto Rico, his second hit being the one that led his team to an exciting 2-1 victory.
- And finally, as you've probably heard by now, the two-time World Champion and Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett died yesterday after suffering a stroke.

Hall of Fame Plaque (Inducted in 2001)

KIRBY PUCKETT

MINNESOTA, A.L., 1984-1995

A PROVEN TEAM LEADER WITH AN EVER-PRESENT SMILE AND INFECTIOUS EXUBERANCE WHO LED THE TWINS TO WORLD SERIES TITLES IN 1987 AND 1991. OVER 12 SEASONS HIT FOR POWER AND AVERAGE, BATTING .318 WITH 414 DOUBLES AND 207 HOME RUNS. ALSO A PROLIFIC RUN PRODUCER, SCORED 1,071 RUNS AND DROVE IN 1,085 IN 1,783 GAMES. A SIX-TIME GOLD GLOVE WINNER WHO PATROLLED CENTER FIELD WITH ELEGANCE AND STYLE, ROUTINELY SCALING OUTFIELD WALLS TO TAKE AWAY HOME RUNS. THE 10-TIME ALL-STAR'S CAREER ENDED ABRUPTLY DUE TO IRREVERSIBLE RETINAL DAMAGE IN HIS RIGHT EYE.

Rest in Peace Kirby

Don't worry; as soon as the regular season kicks off on April 3rd, I'll be updating more regularly, or at least as often as possible. Keep reading!

Lara*

Alex Rodriguez Needs a Publicist...BADLY!

I feel stupid even reporting this, because chances are I'll have to edit it at some point in the near future, but as of this very second, Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez WILL play in the World Baseball Classic, and he WILL play for the UNITED STATES.

Now, to be fair to dear Alex, I understand how difficult the decision must have been. I mean, he was only born in New York, raised in Miami, and employed as the richest man in baseball in Seattle, Arlington, Texas, and New York. Other than that, he has no connection whatsoever to the United States. He totally spent, like, at least two summers in the Dominican Republic when he was four or five years old.

Totally.

Lara*

Team USA

Initial Roster for World Baseball Classic
Note: Final roster must be submitted 24 hours before the tournament begins.

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Bonderman, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Roger Clemens, RHP, free agent (formerly Houston Astros)
Roy Halladay, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Tim Hudson, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Al Leiter, LHP, New York Yankees
Jake Peavy RHP, San Diego Padres
Andy Pettitte, LHP, Houston Astros
C.C. Sabathia, LHP, Cleveland Indians
Dontrelle Willis, LHP, Florida Marlins

Relief pitchers
Chad Cordero, RHP, Washington Nationals
Brian Fuentes, LHP, Colorado Rockies
Todd Jones, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Brad Lidge, RHP, Houston Astros
Joe Nathan, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Scot Shields, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Huston Street, RHP, Oakland Athletics
Mike Timlin, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Billy Wagner, LHP, New York Mets
Dan Wheeler, RHP, Houston Astros

Catchers
Michael Barrett, Chicago Cubs
Paul Lo Duca, New York Mets
Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
Chad Moeller, Milwaukee Brewers
Brian Schneider, Washington Nationals
Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox

Infielders
Craig Counsell, Arizona Diamondbacks
Morgan Ensberg, Houston Astros
Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewers
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs
Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
David Wright, New York Mets
Michael Young, Texas Rangers

Outfielders
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Johnny Damon, New York Yankees
Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati Reds
Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays

Courtesy of ESPN.com