Legendary player and manager Felipe Alou will be in charge of a Dominican Republic team which will accept nothing short of reaching the final of the 2009 World Baseball Classic with a roster full of talent rivaling no other nation.
Storied Career As Player And Manager For Alou
Dominican Republic team manager Felip Alou is a legend in his homeland having played 17 seasons before managing 14 seasons in the Major Leagues for the Expos and Giants. Among his accolades as a player and manager were: three-time NL All-Star, two 200-hits seasons, the 1994 NL Manager of the Year, two Division titles (1994 and 2003), the 1994 NL pennant and one 100-win season as manager (2003).
United States Waiting In Second Round
The 2009 co-favorites Dominican Republic will face Puerto Rico, Netherlands and Panama in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 7-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Toronto group consisting of United States, Canada, Venezuela and Italy.
2006 Disappointment
The 8 million natives of the Caribbean republic were bitterly disappointed in 2006 when they failed to reach the final as they lost to Caribbean rivals Cuba 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Tough Cuts To Be Made
Manager Alou will undoubtedly face a big challenge when he is forced to cut the 45-man preliminary roster to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by February 24. The manager will basically be able to field two "A" teams as the Dominicans have talent most other nations can only dream about.
Loads Of Pitching To Chose From
There is more than enough world class pitching for Alou to choose from. Among the starters are Edinson Volquez, Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano, Ubaldo Jimenez, Johnny Cueto, Wandy Rodriguez, Pedro Martinez, Fausto Carmona and Daniel Cabrera. The bullpen is just as loaded with the likes of Jose Valverde, Francisco Cordero, Carlos Marmol, Jose Arredondo, Fernando Rodney, Damaso Marte and Tony Pena.
A-Rod Switch Brings Even More Infield Strength
As if the Dominican infield was not star-studded enough already with greats like Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Aramis Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, Jhonny Peralta, Robinson Cano, Adrian Beltre, Carlos Pena and Placido Polanco. Now Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez decided this spring to play for the Dominicans after suiting up for the United States in 2006.
"Weaknesses": Catching, Outfield Age
If there is a so-called weakness to the Dominican squad it could be found at the catcher position where Miguel Olivo and Ronny Paulino are the best receivers the island nation has to offer. Another possible problem could be Alou's aging outfield, which includes the manager's 42-year-old son Moises Alou and 33-year-olds Vladimir Guerrero and Alfonso Soriano. The remaining outfielders on the 45-man roster are Melky Cabrera, Jose Guillen and Willy Taveras.
Dominican Republic's 24-Man Roster
Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date
PITCHERS
Jose Arredondo, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 175lbs (79kg), 03/30/1984
Juan Cruz, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 145lbs (66kg), 10/15/1978
Johnny Cueto, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 02/15/1986
Ubaldo Jimenez, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/22/1984
Julio Manon, R/R,
Damaso Marte, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 215lbs (98kg), 02/14/1975
Pedro Martinez, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 195lbs (88kg), 10/25/1971
Tony Pena, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 220lbs (100kg), 01/09/1982
Odalis Perez, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 225lbs (102kg), 06/11/1977
Rafael Perez, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 195lbs (88kg), 05/15/1982
Edwar Ramirez, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 165lbs (75kg), 03/28/1981
Jose Veras, R/R, 6'5" (196cm), 235lbs (107kg), 10/20/1980
Edinson Volquez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 200lbs (91kg), 07/03/1983
CATCHERS
Wilkin Castillo, S/R, 6'0" (183cm), 200lbs (91kg), 06/01/1984
Miguel Olivo, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 220lbs (100kg), 07/15/1978
INFIELDERS
Willy Aybar
Adrian Beltre, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 225lbs (102kg), 04/07/1979
Robinson Cano, L/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 10/22/1982
David Ortiz
Hanley Ramirez, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 200lbs (91kg), 12/23/1983
Jose Reyes, S/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 06/11/1983
Alex Rodriguez, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 225lbs (102kg), 07/27/1975
Miguel Tejada, R/R, 5'9" (175cm), 215lbs (98kg), 05/25/1974
OUTFIELDERS
Moises Alou, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 230lbs (104kg), 07/03/1966
Jose Batista
Nelson Cruz
Jose Guillen, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 210lbs (95kg), 05/17/1976
Willy Taveras, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 160lbs (73kg), 12/25/1981
