Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
FORT MYERS, Florida-
As the catchy phrase made popular by the high rated TV show American Idol, Yadier Molina is confident Puerto Rico will make it all the way to the finals in this upcoming Second World Baseball Classic.
"Every team that is participating in this tournament wants to win. We also want to win it all too. As people say, from here we all want to go to Hollywood", Molina said during the exhibition road trip in Florida.
For a little reminder Hollywood, famous for the movie and TV industry, is city is next to Los Angeles where from March 21-23 the final round will be play at Dodger Stadium.
"I'm very happy right now. I can't wait to arrive to Puerto Rico", Molina said.
Puerto Rico starts play this upcoming Saturday against Panama at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. However the 2008 National League Gold Glover will not see action until Game 2 of this first round.
Manager Jose "Cheito" Oquendo assigned him to catch in the second game in battery with right-handed starting pitcher Ian Snell. The assignment of Game 1 corresponded to Ivan Rodriguez in battery with right handed starter Javier Vazquez.
"For me is no problem. Ivan is a legend in Puerto Rico and I respect that. He deserves opening the first game", Molina said.
For the 26 -year old who he misses as teammates are his major league brothers Bengie (San Francico Giants) and Jose (New York Yankees).
"As proud puertorricans they feel they should have been with us but no hard feelings. They know and I know there is good competition. We have three excellent catchers here", Molina said.
The third catcher of Team Puerto Rico is National League Rookie of the Year Geovanny Soto."There are in this team too many good people. There are too many good ballplayers. I thank God everyday that I'm here and I receive the opportunity to play in the Puerto Rican team", Molina said.
Actually with teary eyes Molina admitted whom he will really miss on the stands will be his number one fan. His Dad.
Don Benjamin Molina past away last year.
"I know he will be with us watching me from up there", Molina said pointing to the skies. "I know in my heart he will be watching me that I honor the Molina family and Puerto Rico. I intend to do that". Molina pointed out that after the Classic his looking also for another great year with the St. Louis Cardinals.
"I'm the same ballplayer when I'm playing for Puerto Rico as well for the Cardinals. I'm the same. I always give 100 % in the field", Molina said."We have a pretty good team (St. Louis). We have a young squad with everyone with a lot of energy. I think in paper we will do a good job", Molina added.
Molina is pretty confident that with hard work the Cardinals can dethrone the Chicago Cubs "equipazo" in the National League Central Division pennant race.
However, for now his focus is to go to Hollywood and bring the Classic championship to Puerto Rico.
PUERTO RICO NOTES
Today's game against Puerto Rico is a sold-out game. The City of Palms Park (Red Sox) sellout streak for Grapefruit League is at 77 consecutive games....OF Hiram Bocachica celebrated last night his 33rd birthday with his teammates at the Puerto Rico clubhouse before the Tampa Bay Rays exhibition game....Rays Manager Joe Maddon praised Team Puerto Rico and what seen in paper no doubts Puerto Rico should be in the Classic' final four....Minnesota Twins' spring training batting instructors hall of famer Rod Carew and former all-star and batting champ Tony Oliva also praised Puerto Rico as a possible finals team .....Los Angeles Dodgers Joe Torre announced Ivan de Jesus Jr. will miss all the 2009 season. According to reports, the 21-yera old prospect required a surgery on a Phoenix hospital to fix his broken right lower tivia. The Dodgers minor leaguer broke his right leg sliding into home plate last Monday in a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He is son of former major leaguer and Team Puerto Rico Coach Ivan de Jesus.
Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
FORT MYERS, Florida-
Carlos Beltran is one of those guys that after baseball can be an excellent goodwill ambassador for Puerto Rico. And these days he is very proud to be in that role once again as a member of the Island squad for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
" For me it's a great experience to be able to play with all the active players of Puerto Rico", Beltran said.
"Everyone's having the opportunity to represent their country right now. We're here to have fun do our best and whatever happens, we'll be happy with it"Beltran, 31, have been one of the main voices of the Puerto Rican team all winter long and with teammate Alex Cora he is very confident that they can reach this time the big prize of the Classic. The Final Four.
However to meet the goal the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year emphasizes they need a huge support from the home crowd at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan starting next Saturday.
"We were part of the first Classic and when we went to Puerto Rico the excitement of the fans was unbelievable. I hope this time again will be the same or better", Beltran said.
And for Beltran, he hopes the Classic helps him this season to a great year."Playing in the Classic makes spring training go faster. We're playing real games now. The excitement and the intensity we put into these games is always great. It's going to prepare us to play for the Mets. It brings intensity to you early in the season. When you play spring training games you only get two or three at bats. Now, we get to play the whole nine innings."
Beltran pointed out that this is not only the year Puerto Rico will get in to the Finals of the Classic. He also pointed this is the year his New York Mets also will reach the World Series.
"The Mets did a lot of good things. They signed Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz and that relly improve our bullpen. Those two can be closers on any team. We lost last year a lot of games last year late into the games. That can change this year"
OTHER BORICUA METS NOTES: RHP Nelson Figueroa is still hopeful can make the 25-roster for the upcoming season. He is battling veterans Livan Hernandez and Freddy Garcia for the fifth-spot starter position. Figueroa acknowledged that if he can not start in the Majors he will welcome a minor league assignment.....Jesus "Motorita" Feliciano mentioned he acknowledge will start in Triple A-Buffalo this upcoming season but is hopeful will get his Majors debut chance this year.....Jose "Tony" Valentin if he does not make the 25-roster will be send by the organization to Triple A- Buffalo as a player-coach. General Manager Omar Minaya believes Valentin can become a Manager in the Mets minor league system in the very near future......Rumours are running around that Beltran and Carlos Delgado are trying to push Minaya to sign Ivan Rodriguez to a one year deal.
Special for the Puerto Rico Daily Sun
FORT MYERS, Florida-
" I love playing man. I'm very happy to be in this uniform (Puerto Rico) again".
Bernie Williams face could have not lie to nobody. His smile was as radiant as the sun in chilly Hammond Stadium Tuesday afternoon before the exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins.
"I'm very excited. I feel like a 15 year old kid playing baseball again". Williams said. "I'm very happy. I knew I can help this team. Moreover I know I still have something left".
Williams, 40, last year came out surprisingly from a never announced two-year retirement playing briefly for the Carolina Gigantes.
The five-time All Star was unsigned by the New York Yankees as a free agent in 2007.
The Barceloneta native has played his entire 16--year carrer with the Yankees (1991-2006). He ranks on the Yankees top ten list in nine offensive categories. He appeared in 121 postseason games, winning four World Series. In 1996 was the American League Championship Series MVP with a .474 average, 2 homers and 6 RBI's.
According to Williams he will be used primarily as a designated hitter and possibly as a leftfielder in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
"I'm going to do what the Manager (Oquendo) needs. I'm ready", Williams punctuated.However no matter what he does or will do most eyes are on his future."My focus rigt now is on the Classic. I'm open-minded of what can come in the future," Williams said. Everything depends how well I will do in the Classic".
Williams did not deny any moment returning to the Bronx Bombers if given the opportunity.
On the other hand, Williams pointed out that immediately after the Classic he will be attending business of what he calls "my second career".
Next April 18 he will be releasing his second jazz album with a concert at the Nokia Theatre in New York City.
Ironically the album is named "Moving Forward".
As far at the present he emphasized his "first career" is baseball. According to Williams his number 51 is open to return to the Yankees. Only the Yankees.
PUERTO RICO NOTES
Manager Jose" Cheito" Oquendo despite the loss to the Twins was satisfied with the overall performance of the team. Oquendo confirmed LHP Jonathan Sanchez will open gainst the Tampa Bay Rays. Will decide Wednesday the starter for Thursday game against the Boston Red Sox....Oquendo confirmed his "three catching rotation" for the upcoming Classic in first round action. Ivan Rodriguez will catch the first game agains Panama next Saturday; Yadier Molina will catch the second game and Geovany Soto the third game..... RHP Carlos Gutierrez made his Puerto Rico debut Tuesday. Gutierrez will be assigned to the Single-A Fort Myers Miracle for the upcoming season. He will pitch again as a reliever against Boston.
MINNESOTA TWINS
Both Luis Matos and Jose Morales played against its fellow Team Puerto Rico. Matos mentioned still he have high hopes to win the fifth outfielder spot and return to the Majors. The former Oriole, a non-roster invitee, spent the entire 2008 season with Yucatan in the Mexican League.Matos played for Puerto Rico in the inaugural 2006 Classic.....Jose Morales mentioned is confident could be back in the Majors anytime this season. Morales major league debut day was a sour day. After an impressive 3 for 3 game against the Chicago White Sox he left the game after spraining his left nkle running the bases. Morales is expected to start the season with the Triple-A Rochester.
Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
FORT MYERS, Florida--For many baseball fans games at spring training they don't count. Furthermore they don't care much aboutthe scores and standings of both the Grapefruit and Cactus League. Less possibly care about the exhibition games against the World Baseball Classic country teams.
Do not argue this with Alex Cora.
"This games are very important to us. It's our time", Cora said.
Puerto Rico starts today, Tuesday, a three exhibition games set against the Minnesota Twins, the Tampa Bay Rays (Wednesday) and the Boston Red Sox (Thursday) as part of the Major League Baseball spring training schedule prior the 2009 World Baseball Classic opener against Panama next Saturday, March 7 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
Cora,33, a recent signee with the New York Mets, is one of only few of Manager Jose "Cheito" Oquendo crewthat are openly making the prediction that Team Puerto Rico will make it this time all the way to the final round.
"I think we have a complete team,"Cora said. "Pitching is a plus. We have pretty good arms in our starters and our bullpen. We have also a pretty good lineup. Good baseball teams win champioships and we have a chance to win it".
Cora acknowledged last time Puerto Rico finished with a 4-2 record but did not advance out of the second round, due to a lost to Cuba and a run average rule.
"This time fans are looking forward to seeing what we can do and they expect to us to win".
Not mentioned by Cora, but it is also have been forgotten Puerto Rico have the second best team ERA (2.08) and the third best team batting (.286) in the inaugural 2006 tourney.
According to Cora this year the double-elimination format in the first two rounds it will have a greater demand however his very certain all the squad it is ready for the challenge.
If Team Puerto Rico is able to win first and second round, Cora will play as foretold at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium March 21-23.
The Caguas native also mentioned is also looking forward after the Classic to his new career challenge with the Mets. Cora is expected to be this upcoming season an infield backup specially in second base for injury-prone Luis Castillo.
Cora appeared in 75 games for the Boston Red Sox last season and batted .270 -- the second-highest average of his career -- and added two hits in 11 at- bats during the postseason. He started 41 games during the regular season -- 38 at shortstop and three at second base.
Cora was a member of Boston's 2007 World Series championship team. He also went to the playoffs with the Red Sox in 2005, and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004.
NOTE:
3/3 Puerto Rico (Ian Snell) vs. Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers
3/4 Puerto Rico (Jonathan Sanchez) vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Port Charlotte
3/5 Puerto Rico (TBA) vs. Boston Red Sox, Fort Myers
World Baseball Classic
3/7 Puerto Rico (Javier Vazquez) vs. Panama, Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
FORT MYERS, Florida-
It's not easy these days for Kiko Calero. At least at heart. He was not at ease watching Florida Marlins teammmates Hanley Ramirez (Dominican Republic),Alfredo Amezaga and Jorge Cantu (Mexico), Matt Lindstrom (USA) and Rick VandenHurk (Netherlands) leave camp to join their country teams for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
"It was not a comfortable decision. I wish to be pitching for Puerto Rico", Calero said. "I definitely I will miss it".
Meanwhile Team Puerto Rico starts today a three exhibition games set in the Gulf Coast of Florida, the veteran righthanded hurler is in the opposite side of the Sunshine State in Jupiter wearing the Marlins teal uniform.
Calero, 34, acknowledged this time his situation is different as of 2006. He is vying as a non-roster invitee one of two relief bullpen slots open this spring on Manager Fredi Gonzalez squad.
Last World Baseball Classic, he was one of the main fixture of the bullpen of the Oakland A's. Unfortunately for him last season he missed most of the season recovering from a shoulder injury--torn rotator cuff--that limited him to five major league appearances with the A's. Moreover he was released and finished the season in the Texas Rangers' minor league system.
"It's a new start for me. I already I'm missing to pitch in the Classic. It was a great experience but I have to ponder first in my future", Calero said.
Another boricua from the 2006 World Baseball Classic roster already missing the action too is left-handed pitcher Willie Collazo.
Collazo, 29, was signed to a minor league contract with invitation to spring training and at present is competingagainst Venezuelan Renyel Pinto for th left-hander set up man spot. And as Calero trying to return to the majors.
Collazo last season was a Pacific Coast League's All-Star team and was up briefly with the New York Mets in July but did not pitch, had a 4.05 ERA in 16 starts and 21 relief appearances for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.
.jpg)
Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
MIAMI- There is no doubt that if Ivan Rodriguez calls it quits right after the upcoming World Baseball Classic he will be a shoo-in to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Without doubt he can be called the greatest catcher ever to play as a Major Leaguer. He is considered by many fans to be the best catcher in the current era and many of those rank him as one of the best catchers of all-time. The proof is in the record books.
The dilemma is that Pudge have make clear is not time yet to hang on his spikes. He wants to extend his career one more to his 20th season. The problem is there is no employer in the distance calling for his services and with spring training already started there are no bright lights in the horizon.
"We've gone around and around with it", Larry Beinfest said. "This guy's available. Does he fits in our club ?
Since the long gone winter time, rumours have fly over and over that the best fit for Rodriguez is the Florida Marlins. However according to Beinfest, Marlins' President of Baseball Operations, he is pretty convince that the realistic scenario for the 2009 season in charge of the catching duties will be the young tandem of John Baker and Mike Rabelo.
"That's kind of the way we've tried to filter it out. I can say right now I would not rule anything out", Beinfest said.
However in the South Florida spring breezes, the winds are blowing that the only way possible Rodriguez will be sign by the Marlins is if he accepts a second-string job as a platoon for prospect Baker and take a huge cut in his salary base. Money talking no more than a million a year.
For Marlins fans, the Vega Baja native have never been forgotten. In 2003 he was one of the main pillars of the World Championship team. Not forget he was the MVP of that National League Championship Series. And more over a mentor to the young staff of such names as Josh Beckett, Brad Penny and Dontrelle Willis. A trio of All-Stars not longer in the Florida teal uniform.
However this is not 2003. It is 2009. The Marlins are as usual in rebuilding process, a young team that possibly can challenge to a wild card berth and as usual crying poor.
For the 1999 American League MVP is not easy news to swallow. After all he is a 14 time All-Star; 13 time Gold-Glover and a .306 carrer batting average player.
On his side are campaigning all his fellow Puerto Rico teammates. They all believe the 37-year old veteran deserves one more season under the major league sun. Most recently Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran requested the New York Mets management to give him an opportunity as part of a team that is looking to comeback from two year in a row in total failure of winning the National League East Division.
For Rodriguez the World Baseball Classic will be his Broadway. He have to win a Tony Award. Or in the movie industry, an Oscar preformance. Or for a singer a Grammy Award demostration.
As for Ivan Rodriguez his quest will start on March 7 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Puerto Rico begins play against Panama.
Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
MIAMI- Carlos Gutierrez was a surprise first round pick---27th overall pick---in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins. Before the draft he was converted to a closer by the University of Miami after returning from Tommy John surgery. According to scouts he possesses an amazing sinking fastball but he is a pitcher in the works.
That's what most baseball fans in Puerto Rico know about the 6'3" right-handed hurler raised in Miami and surprise, surprise with such little news he will be one of the set-up man for Jose "Cheito" Oquendo squad in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
"I'm very proud and very happy to represent Puerto Rico. I'm looking forward to join the team", Gutierrez said at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables.
As a similar case of veteran third baseman Mike Lowell, Gutierrez, 22, was raised by his parents Raphael and Katherine Gutierrez in Miami.
In high school he was a basketball and baseball star of the Christopher Columbus High School Explorers but his shining path as a pitcher took the eye of Manager Jim Morris and the University of Miami to sign him for college baseball.
Even though he was redshirted the 2007 due to Tommy John surgery, Gutierrez pointed out that if it have not been for the great job with the surgery that acclaimed Dr. John Uribe performed he would not be at present at all in sports.
His senior year he performed so well as a closer for the University of Miami Hurricanes that it was the Twins who took him in the first round of the 2008 draft. And no dissapointments. Gutierrez went 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched with the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle last season.
"My first season was okay. I got my first taste in the pros and it was a lot of fun", Gutierrez said. "I still have plenty of room for improvement".
According to Minnesota Twins scouts, Gutierrez may find himself with the Fort Myers team again to begin the 2009 season. The Twins are working hard with him to develop a second and third pitch. They envision him as a future middle reliever and set up man guy.
And watch out. His younger brother David is a rising pitching star too. David, 20, is a starter for the University of Miami Hurricanes. Has a perfect 7-0 record and a 3.50 ERA in his three-year college career and he does have a good command of three above average pitches. Write his name out because very possible will be a future prospect for Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic in 2013.
As for Carlos Gutierrez his quest starts on March 7 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Puerto Rico begins play against Panama.
