GaryMrMets
02-03-2006, 02:06 AM
http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v928402-01-06-1932EST&docType=news&sports=baseball&league=mlb&team=other&newsgroup=baseball.mlb.news/other
Delgado and Vazquez excited to be playing for Puerto Rico
Feb 01, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) - Carlos Delgado and Javier Vazquez know how excited Puerto Rican fans are about the World Baseball Classic.
"They've never seen so many big league players be in a tournament like this," Vazquez said Wednesday. "And in a lot of Latin American countries, I think there's a lot of pride in baseball as a national sport. They want to see us representing Puerto Rico to the best of our abilities."
Delgado, acquired by the New York Mets during the offseason, and Vazquez, traded to the Chicago White Sox, spoke during a telephone conference call.
Delgado is looking forward to Puerto Rico's game against Cuba on March 10.
"There's no tickets left. They're totally sold out," he said. "Due to proximity in the Caribbean and Latin America, everybody hears about what a great reputation the Cuban ballclub has. A lot of people want to see Cuba measure up against some professional teams, so I know that's going to draw a lot of attention."
The pair discounted talk last week by Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira, who think the United States is a favorite to win the inaugural 16-team tournament, to be played from March 3-20.
"I don't think that right now you can say this team is going to be the favorite or this other team is going to be a favorite," Vazquez said. "A bunch of teams have great national teams. Obviously, the United States has a great team, and that's not secret, but I think we have a great team also."
Puerto Rico's preliminary roster also includes Carlos Beltran, Javy Lopez, Bengie Molina, Ivan Rodriguez, Jose Vidro and Bernie Williams.
Vazquez already has been throwing for four or five weeks.
"I have the weather in my favor in Puerto Rico," he said. "I can go out every day and throw and work out and do everything outside. So I think in the Latin countries we have a little bit of an advantage because of the weather."
Puerto Rico, which starts practice March 3 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., is home for its three first-round games. If it advances, it would be home for three more games in the second round.
"I think there's going to be a lot of emotions, having the opportunity to represent your country in front of the home crowd," Delgado said. "I'm proud of being Puerto Rican. Obviously, we think this is a big deal."
Delgado and Vazquez excited to be playing for Puerto Rico
Feb 01, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) - Carlos Delgado and Javier Vazquez know how excited Puerto Rican fans are about the World Baseball Classic.
"They've never seen so many big league players be in a tournament like this," Vazquez said Wednesday. "And in a lot of Latin American countries, I think there's a lot of pride in baseball as a national sport. They want to see us representing Puerto Rico to the best of our abilities."
Delgado, acquired by the New York Mets during the offseason, and Vazquez, traded to the Chicago White Sox, spoke during a telephone conference call.
Delgado is looking forward to Puerto Rico's game against Cuba on March 10.
"There's no tickets left. They're totally sold out," he said. "Due to proximity in the Caribbean and Latin America, everybody hears about what a great reputation the Cuban ballclub has. A lot of people want to see Cuba measure up against some professional teams, so I know that's going to draw a lot of attention."
The pair discounted talk last week by Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira, who think the United States is a favorite to win the inaugural 16-team tournament, to be played from March 3-20.
"I don't think that right now you can say this team is going to be the favorite or this other team is going to be a favorite," Vazquez said. "A bunch of teams have great national teams. Obviously, the United States has a great team, and that's not secret, but I think we have a great team also."
Puerto Rico's preliminary roster also includes Carlos Beltran, Javy Lopez, Bengie Molina, Ivan Rodriguez, Jose Vidro and Bernie Williams.
Vazquez already has been throwing for four or five weeks.
"I have the weather in my favor in Puerto Rico," he said. "I can go out every day and throw and work out and do everything outside. So I think in the Latin countries we have a little bit of an advantage because of the weather."
Puerto Rico, which starts practice March 3 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., is home for its three first-round games. If it advances, it would be home for three more games in the second round.
"I think there's going to be a lot of emotions, having the opportunity to represent your country in front of the home crowd," Delgado said. "I'm proud of being Puerto Rican. Obviously, we think this is a big deal."