Canada ready for redemption in '09
Team hungry to advance to second round and beyond
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
ADVERTISEMENT
- Get tickets to the 2009 World Baseball Classic
- Shop for Classic gear | Travel packages
- Brackets | Schedule | Coverage
- More at worldbaseballclassic.com
After an abrupt ending and a deflating exit in the inaugural global baseball tournament nearly three years back, Canada will try to make the uphill climb through pool play again next March. But this time, that bitter taste of a feat nearly accomplished will be aided by one additional factor: home-field advantage.
The 16-team Classic will begin with four separate groups of pool play, with the Canadian team competing against the U.S., Italy and Venezuela in Pool C. All those first-round games will be held at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
"It will probably be a holiday in Canada," said outfielder Matt Stairs, who went 3-for-9 with four RBIs for Canada in three tournament games in 2006. "It's great for fans, especially this year, when we host the first round in Toronto."
Toronto will host those games from March 7-11, with a new double-elimination bracket in use. Canada's first game in the tournament will be against the U.S and played on March 7.
Though Canada finds itself pitted against the United States in first-round pool play as it did in 2006, Italy and Venezuela replace '06 pool mates Mexico and South Africa.
It was back in 2006 that Canada put itself in position to advance to the second round in the tournament after an early victory against South Africa and a momentous upset of the U.S. team. But a loss to Mexico left Canada in a three-way pool tie. And the Canadians were eventually the odd team left out from advancing because of tiebreaker rules.
Still the group plans to use that victory over the U.S. as fuel going into the tournament the second time around.
"We beat the U.S.; that was big," Stairs said. "Not as big as the U.S. beating Russia in hockey [in the 1980 Olympics], but it was big."
Stairs, like many of his Canadian compatriots, expressed an interest in once again participating next year. Canada will certainly get a boost if Canadian-born offensive standouts Jason Bay and Justin Morneau return to the team.
And there's good news -- both recently told MLB.com that they do intend to play.
In '06, Bay went 5-for-11 with five runs scored, while Morneau drove in two with a 4-for-13 showing while starting at first.
"It was enjoyable last time, and an honor to represent my country," Morneau said.
Canada should also get a boost from some new faces in the lineup. Most notable would be the addition of Dodgers All-Star catcher Russell Martin, who did not participate in '06, but who recently said he is interested in representing Canada this time.
"I'm in there," Martin said. "It's going to be fun."
Also, expect Royals infielder-outfielder Mark Teahen to be joining the Canadian team. The U.S.-born Teahen holds dual citizenship, but he has a sentimental reason for wanting to identify with his Canadian roots.
"My dad played for the Canadian National Team in the early '70s, so I wanted to do the same thing," Teahen said.
Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto would certainly be a welcome addition as well, though Votto was non-committal when asked of his interest at the end of the season. Utility infielder Pete Orr also recently expressed a desire to play for the second time.
On the pitching end, commitments were much tougher to come by. One thing is for certain, Canada will be without starter Erik Bedard, who pitched four shutout innings in his one appearance for the team in 2006.
Bedard underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in September, and with a six-month recovery period necessary, he would not be ready to compete in March. However, Bedard had already publicly stated that, even if healthy, he would not participate in the Classic because he did not have enough time to prepare for the Major League season after competing in '06.
Canada's starting rotation could get a big boost if starters Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster -- neither of which played in the first Classic -- decide to participate in '08.
Eric Gagne, who did not participate in 2006, has not confirmed whether he will play this time either, while Toronto starter Scott Richmond has said his participation would depend on whether the Blue Jays advise it.
Twins reliever Jesse Crain, who made two scoreless relief appearances in '06, has confirmed that he will return. Starter Jeff Francis, though, is not a sure bet as he will be spending the offseason recovering from shoulder soreness that shut him down before the end of the season.
Also, while the roster will likely be filled out by a number of Major League names, don't forget to keep an eye on some up and coming Canadian natives. Indians prospect Nicholas Weglarz has a shot at landing an outfield starting spot. Pitcher Phillippe Aumont, a first-round pick in 2007, could also certainly be in line for a roster spot.
Other Canadian-born Minor Leaguers that could find themselves on the team include: third baseman Taylor Green (Brewers), first baseman Scott Thorman (Braves), outfielder Michael Saunders (Mariners) and reliever Dave Davidson (Pirates).
Once the team makeup is determined, Canada will have a tough road to travel if it hopes to advance into the second round of the tournament. The U.S. squad is certainly expected to be one of the two teams from Pool C to advance, and Venezuela is also expected to field a highly competitive team.
The 45 players that will be considered for the club will be announced Jan. 19. The final 28-man roster, which must include a minimum of 13 pitchers, will be announced on Feb. 24.
Canada has still not named a manager for the club, though Ernie Whitt is expected to be given the position again after holding the position in 2006.
The two teams that do advance would play the top two teams from Pool D, which includes teams from the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico. Second-round games will take place March 14-19 in Miami.
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
