GaryMrMets
07-06-2005, 04:40 PM
Rodriguez could have choice to make for World Cup-style tournament
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
.c The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez will definitely be on the American League team for next week's Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Next year, he could have a choice to make about which country to play for in the World Baseball Classic.
The New York Yankees third baseman was born in New York and raised in the United States. But his parents are Dominican, and that might give him the option of playing for either country.
``That's such a hard call for me,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday. ``Before I give an answer, I'm going to wait to see what the rules are.''
However, in an interview with Dominican television to be broadcast on Friday, Rodriguez said he wanted to play for the Dominican Republic's team.
``I want to represent my country,'' he said. ``I was born in Washington Heights, but my parents are 100 percent Dominican.''
The MLB commissioner's office has not announced any eligibility requirements, but is expected to explain such details Monday during a news conference in Detroit the day before the All-Star Game, spokesman Pat Courtney said.
The 16-nation, World Cup-style tournament has been in the planning stages for several years and is scheduled for next March.
If given a choice, other players could have a similar decision to make, including St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.
``I think Pujols is in the same situation,'' Rodriguez said.
He and Pujols, who was born in the Dominican and went to high school in the midwestern U.S. state of Missouri, might end up anchoring an impressive lineup. The Dominican Republic could field a team that might also include Vladimir Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz and Alfonso Soriano.
Rodriguez said his parents' background means a lot to him.
``I feel very Dominican,'' he said.
07/05/05 20:59 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
.c The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez will definitely be on the American League team for next week's Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Next year, he could have a choice to make about which country to play for in the World Baseball Classic.
The New York Yankees third baseman was born in New York and raised in the United States. But his parents are Dominican, and that might give him the option of playing for either country.
``That's such a hard call for me,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday. ``Before I give an answer, I'm going to wait to see what the rules are.''
However, in an interview with Dominican television to be broadcast on Friday, Rodriguez said he wanted to play for the Dominican Republic's team.
``I want to represent my country,'' he said. ``I was born in Washington Heights, but my parents are 100 percent Dominican.''
The MLB commissioner's office has not announced any eligibility requirements, but is expected to explain such details Monday during a news conference in Detroit the day before the All-Star Game, spokesman Pat Courtney said.
The 16-nation, World Cup-style tournament has been in the planning stages for several years and is scheduled for next March.
If given a choice, other players could have a similar decision to make, including St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols.
``I think Pujols is in the same situation,'' Rodriguez said.
He and Pujols, who was born in the Dominican and went to high school in the midwestern U.S. state of Missouri, might end up anchoring an impressive lineup. The Dominican Republic could field a team that might also include Vladimir Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz and Alfonso Soriano.
Rodriguez said his parents' background means a lot to him.
``I feel very Dominican,'' he said.
07/05/05 20:59 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.