Panama went winless in the 2006 World Baseball Classic but manager Hector Lopez hopes a handful of Major League talent can guide the Central Americans to their first ever win at the 2009 edition.
Dominican Republic And Hosts Puerto Rico In Opening Round
Panama will face 2009 co-favorites Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Netherlands 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.
Plenty of 2006 Struggles
Panama did not have a lot of Major League talent at the 2006 Classic and it showed with three straight losses. After getting beaten by Puerto Rico and Cuba, Panama were blown out 10-0 against the Netherlands.
Lopez Legend In Panama Baseball
Lopez hopes to use his past to motivate his players as he won two World Series rings with the New York Yankees in 1961 and 1962 and even shared the outfield with Yankee legends Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Acosta And Corpus Leading Group
Lopez will have a couple of relief pitchers to lead his pitching staff, including Atlanta's Manny Acosta and Colorado's Manny Corpus. Former Major Leaguers Bruce Chen and Ramiro Mendoza are also on the 45-man roster, which Lopez must cut down to 28 players - including a mandatory 13 pitchers - by February 24. Former Major League infielders Angel Chavez, Jose Macias and Julio Zuleta have also been included on the roster.
Carlos Lee Questionable, Mariano Rivera A No-Show
Houston outfielder Carlos Lee would be a huge help for Lopez but the big slugger must first wait to see how the broken little finger of his left hand heels. But one player definitely out will be likely the most famous Panamanian baseball player Mariano Rivera, who did not play in 2006 and had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.
Panama's 24-Man Roster
Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date
PITCHERS
Manny Acosta, S/R, 6'4" (193cm), 170lbs (77kg), 05/01/1981
Abraham Atencio, L/L
Manuel Campos, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 175lbs (79kg), 01/12/1990
Yeliar Castro, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 180lbs (82kg), 12/03/1987
Bruce Chen, L/L, 6'1" (185cm), 215lbs (98kg), 06/19/1977
Manuel Corpas, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 170lbs (77kg), 12/03/1982
Jorge Cortes, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 190lbs (86kg), 09/04/1972
Paolo Espino, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 190lbs (86kg), 01/10/1987
Rafael Medina, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 194lbs (88kg), 02/15/1975
Gilberto Mendez, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 196lbs (89kg)
Ramiro Mendoza, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 195lbs (88kg), 06/15/1972
Eliecer Navarro, L/L, 5'9" (175cm), 177lbs (80kg), 10/26/1987
Arquimedes Nieto, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 175lbs (79kg), 04/28/1989
CATCHERS
Damaso Espino, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 210lbs (95kg), 05/08/1983
Cesar Quintero, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 11/16/1982
Carlos Ruiz, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/22/1979
INFIELDERS
Avelino Asprilla, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 190lbs (86kg), 01/01/1982
Javier Castillo, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 220lbs (100kg), 08/29/1983
Angel Chavez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 07/22/1981
Audes De Leon, L/R, 5'11" (180cm), 196lbs (89kg), 06/26/1979
Kevin Ramos, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 170lbs (77kg), 06/06/1986
Ruben Tejada, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 165lbs (75kg), 09/01/1989
Julio Zuleta, R/R, 6'5" (196cm), 230lbs (104kg), 03/28/1975
OUTFIELDERS
Earl Agnoly, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 210lbs (95kg), 11/18/1975
Luis Durango, S/R, 5'9" (175cm), 155lbs (70kg), 04/23/1986
Carlos Lee, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 240lbs (109kg), 06/20/1976
Ruben Rivera, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 196lbs (89kg), 11/14/1973
Concepcion Rodriguez, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 170lbs (77kg), 09/19/1986
