Posted on 12/14/2005 1:32:57 PM PST by presidio9
Mike Piazza, who is qualified to play for either Italy or the United States in the World Baseball Classic, has decided he can best serve international baseball by suiting up for the Italians.
Piazza talked it over with Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Italy or the U.S.?
According to Orza, Piazza asked: "What do you think is better for international baseball? If I play for the U.S. or Italy?"
Orza suggested it would be best for Piazza to play for Italy.
"He just thought what was good for international baseball was something he wanted to be part of," Orza said.
While Piazza projects as the headliner for the Italians, there could be several other Major-League affiliated players on the team.
The Italians would love to see Frank Catalanotto pick up in the tournament where he left off for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. Catalanotto hit .301 for the Blue Jays in 419 at-bats in 2005.
The list also includes David Dellucci and Mark DeRosa of Texas, Mike Gallo of Houston, Jason Grilli of Detroit and Doug Mirabelli of Boston. Free agents targeted for the Italian team include Mike DiFelice, Tony Fiore, Matt Mantei, Frank Menechino, Val Pascucci, Joe Vitiello and Pete Zoccolillo.
"I think it'll be good exposure for me just to be part of something like this for the first time," Grilli said. "It'll be a thrill."
The Italian team will train in Lakeland, Fla., the Spring Training home of the Detroit Tigers, from March 3-6. Italy's first game will be March 8 against Venezuela at 7 p.m. ET at Cracker Jack Stadium in the Disney complex in Orlando, Fla.
The manager of the Italian team will be determined at a later date.
The inaugural World Baseball Classic, a 16-team tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation, will take place March 3-20 and feature the world's best players competing for their home countries and territories for the first time. Fans will be able to follow all the games live exclusively online at MLB.com.
Sixty-man rosters must be submitted by Jan. 17 with the ultimate 30-man rosters finalized 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. The final rosters must include a minimum of 13 pitchers and three catchers. Major League Baseball has committed to using 60 percent of Major League-affliated players. All the players announced on Monday have the blessing of the Players Association and the MLB owners, who have collectively spent months in the culling process.
First-round action will be played at four sites. Pool A, consisting of Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and China, will meet at the Tokyo Dome on March 3-5. Pool B, featuring USA, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, will play at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, on March 7-10.
Pool C is Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and the Netherlands and will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 7-10. Pool D, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy, will play at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando from March 7-10.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which takes place March 12-15 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The semifinals and finals will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park from March 18-20.
I see A-Fraud is choosing to play for the Dominican Republic. Good! He can choke for them, instead of choking for the US.
Probably. But what if he thinks playing will be fun? It's baseball.
Who is Mike Piazza??!!??
Is Piazza the gay guy, or the guy who took steroids but said he didn't? I have trouble keeping up with baseball these days.
That being said, I hope that Piazza of PHOENIXVILLE PENNSYLVANIA plays for the U.S. If not, he might as well grow back his 70s pornstar mustache and let the gay rumors fly.
I wonder if he lives in the leaning tower....
Nevertheless, in honor of sub-human Mets fans and wops everywhere, I have taken the liberty of of starting an all-goomba team:
C: Piazza
1b: Giamba
2b: Biggio
SS: ?
3b: ?
OF: Baldelli
OF: Catalatto
OF: Cirillo
RHP: Mussina
LHP: Zito
RP: Franco (?)
I think A-Fraud's parents are Dominican, but he was born in NYC.
And of course Joe Torre would be their manager.
The Anderson Cooper of Major League Baseball...
Yes.
Honestly, I've almost forgotten that his first name is Mike...I've been referring to him as "F___'ing Piazza" for a few years now!!
True. A-Fraud went to high school with a friend of mine at a private Christian academy in Ft. Lauderdale.
Too many pros. My cousin at Chapman took out dual citizenship so he could play for Italy. Let the kids play.
Assuming he's a rightfielder, Darryl doesn't make the "All Substance Abuser" squad.
Oh boy, I'm going to put this on Mr. Voice's computer. Thanks!
You forgot this one.
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