The bell for the third round at the recent rivalry between the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and Dominican will ring this evening.
Jose Altuve, the Houston Astros, and Hanley Ramirez, shortstop and third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, lead the team that will play on Tuesday at the Estadio Universitario de Caracas.
It is a matter of pride. No foreign country sends more players to the big leagues that these two nations enamored of the ball.
Both teams have significant absences. Pablo Sandoval, Asdrubal Cabrera and figures most recently added to the action in Venezuela will not be in the quote. Neither Manny Ramirez, the most anticipated by fans Caracas among all players acting lidom today.
The host roster was chosen by popular vote in November, when Sandoval, Cabrera, Francisco Rodriguez and most major South American bigleaguers had not reported to their teams. The manager Buddy Bailey completed the roster, announcing Monday pitchers.
"Last year we had a pretty good experience and this year the organization is better," he told ESPNdeportes.com LVBP president Jose Grasso. "The popular vote was better, so is the logistics and more expectations."
Venezuelans won the first two rounds, always on the same stage the University Stadium in Caracas. In December of 2008, runs from Jose Castillo and Jesus Guzman led to a win 4 races for 3. Last year, Luis Jimenez unloaded two homers and tied combined pitching Dominicans bats en route to a victory in April by 0.
"We hope that this time the show is even better," said Grasso. "The Dominican roster is stronger."
Ramirez is not alone in issuing out of Santo Domingo, though he, Julio Lugo and Miguel Batista are the names sound, internationally.
Felix Fermin, pilot of the Cibao Eagles and manager for the all-star game selected José Ramírez and Junior Lake, leaders in batting average during the Dominican winterball season. Also Ricardo Nanita and Jean Segura, accompanying Lake and Ramirez hitting in the top five in the batting department.
Angel Castro, number one in the country in ERA with 1.77, is one of the most outstanding pitchers. Likewise, the Cuban big leaguer Raul Valdes, who in the land of Luis Aparicio once very successfully reinforced the Magallanes Navigators.
The strength of the Dominican squad seems to be the bullpen. Jairo Asencio, Johnny Nunez and Jerry Gil, the occupants of the top three positions in the department of bran, come in the Antillean delegation.
Among the Venezuelan stars include Wilfredo Boscan, number one LVBP effectiveness, with 1.53, and the leader in saves, Juan Gutierrez, and alignment with several sluggers, including Ernesto Mejia, Carlos Maldonado, Eliezer Alfonzo and player voted by the Venezuelan public, Josh Kroeger.
Boscan was appointed inaugural opener by Buddy Bailey, manager of the Aragua Tigers, hosted by the battalion.
"We thought about changing the format a bit in the future," said Grasso, excited by the support he has taken the initiative. "We rotate the Star for other cities in Venezuela and explore the possibility of playing against Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil."
