Cleveland Sports Forum

2/8/23



Puerto Rico did not give Mexico a chance with the 9-3 win

The Puerto Ricans defeated the classified Aztecs and set their sights on the semifinal with a 4-3 record

By GERARDO JAVIER ROMERO

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

The Indios de Mayaguez of Puerto Rico achieved a golden victory (9-3) against the Cañeros de Los Mochis of Mexico to maintain their aspirations to the semifinals of the Caribbean Series 2023.

The Puerto Rican team demonstrated a powerful offensive in the Simón Bolívar Monumental stadium in Caracas that surprised the already classified Aztecs.

This ability with the wood allowed them to add a run in the first inning by Rubén Castro 1-0.

Puerto Rico rallied for four runs in the top of the third. Torres led off with a double and scored on a base hit by Castro. One of the most valuable players of the day was Edwin Díaz, who hit a three-run home run to widen the difference 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Mexico would rally to score three runs. Torres doubled to right field. Castro singled to center, Torres to third. Rivera singled to center, Torres scored 5-1. Castro to second. Machín flied out to center, Castro to third. Diaz homered to left, Castro scored, and Diaz scored 5-3.

In the eighth inning, the Indians added a pair of runs when a double by Roberto Enriquez batted in Brian Navarreto and Daniel Rivera 7-3.

In the ninth inning, the scoreboard registered its final 9-3 with a shot by Vimael Machín that added two more runs.

With this result, the team is tied with the Tigres del Licey with records of 4-3 and keeps alive its aspirations to advance to the semifinal of the tournament.

The only detail that could affect this pass is the win by Leones del Caracas against Vaqueros de Montería.

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2/8/23



Venezuela showed its power and advances to the semifinals (5-2) with a 7-4 win over Columbia (4-3)

Leones once again had José Rondón and the Arcia brothers as offensive standouts

By GERARDO JAVIER ROMERO

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

DAYAN FRIAS, 2B,Columbia

Offensively, Frias' gains took a hit. Dayan lead off the home half of the 3rd and went down swinging. He grounded out to first unassisted in the 5th, struck out swinging to end the 6th, and walked with two outs and was stranded at first in the 9th.

Defensively, Dayan was on the front end of a triple play in the top of the 5th

With runners on first and second, Rivero grounded to Frias. Dayan stepped on second for the first out, threw to first for the second out, and the lead runner Arcia was cut down at third. Frias' only other opportunity came in the 9th inning tossing out Arcia at first for the last out of the inning.

Leones del Caracas from Venezuela achieved a very important victory against Vaqueros de Montería from Colombia (7-4) to get their pass to the semifinals of the Caribbean Series 2023.

Jhoulys Chacín was in charge of opening the game in which he demonstrated his dominance and silenced the rival bats until the sixth inning.

For their part, the Lions offense got off to a great start in the second inning thanks to a double by Francisco Arcia that sent Oswaldo Arcia straight to the plate 1-0. Immediately afterwards, Alí ​​Castillo sent a hit to center field that allowed him to score F Arcia and O Arcia 3-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, Herrera doubled. Marriaga safe at first on fielding error by third baseman Rivero. Pertuz singled to left, Herrera scored 3-1.

In the third inning Vásquez singled to right. Pérez flied out to right. O Arcia doubled to left center, Vásquez to third. Rondón walked loading the bases. Rivero walked, Vásquez scored 4-1. Rondón to second, O Arcia to third. Arcia grounded out to shortstop, O Arcia scored, Rivero to second, Rondón to third 5-1.

In the home half of the fifth, Manzanero doubled to right. Frias grounded out to first, Manzanero to third. Campero hit by pitch. Acuna singled to right, Manzanero scored 5-2.

In the sixth, Columbia would cut the lead to one run. Angulo walked. Herrera grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Angulo out at second. Marriaga popped out to second. Pertuz doubled to left center, Herrera to third. Manzanero doubled to left, Herrera scored and Pertuz scored 5-4.

The Lions offense kicked in to gear in the top of the ninth when José Rondón lined out to center field with the bases loaded to drive in two and make it 7-4.

The person in charge of protecting the victory on the mound was closer Anthony Vizcaya, who struck out two of the three rivals he faced.

Colombia lost to Venezuela, but will have revenge for a place in the final

Venezuela (5-2) finished in second place in the round-robin round and Colombia (4-3) in fourth place. Both teams will face each other again starting at 7:30 pm at the La Rinconada venue.

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DAYAN FRIAS UNASSISTED TRIPLE PLAY ONLY THE 4TH IN CARIBBEAN SERIES HISTORY

https://twitter.com/i/status/1623503219736432640


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2/9/23



Licey defeats Cañeros 8-3 and advances to play for the Caribbean Series title

Henry Urrutia and Kelvin Gutiérrez were in charge of the offense and Esmil Rogers commanded the pitching

By EDITORIAL LIDOM

13 minutes ago

Santo Domingo.

The Tigres del Licey (Dominican Republic) defeated the Cañeros de Los Mochis (Mexico) 8-2 on Thursday and won the right to play in the semi-final games for the title of the Gran Caracas 2023 Caribbean Series, driven by the offensive by Henry Urrutia and Kelvin Gutiérrez and the good pitching of Esmil Rogers.

It is their first visit to a final of this classic after winning the title in 2008 in Santiago where they played as a substitute due to the absence of the Puerto Rican representatives.

After that title, the Tigres attended three Caribbean championships (2009, 2014 and 2017), without the fortune of lifting the champion's trophy, an opportunity that they will have this Friday against the winner between the Vaqueros de Montería (Colombia) and the host team, the Leones del Caracas (Venezuela).

Rogers (2-0, 3.27) pitched six complete innings of five hits and two runs, walking three and striking out three for his second win of this series. Matt Poberyko (0-2, 4.66) endured 3.2 innings of six hits and four runs, three earned.

The game was played at the Forum La Guaira. El Licey scored their first two runs in innings 1 (1-0) and 2 (2-0), then followed with a three-run rally in the fourth (5-0).

Mexico got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Ornelas' rbi single drove in Valenzuela. Terdoslavich advanced to second and Amador to third. Atondo's sacrifice fly drove in Amador 5-2.

In the seventh, Kelvin Gutiérrez hit a two-run homer to extend a lead that ended up unattainable for Cañeros, one of three teams that beat Licey in the opening phase of this Caribbean Series 7-2.

Mexico would add a run in the eighth. Ornelas' sacrifice fly drove home Rodríguez 7-3.

A drive by Webster Rivas on a force play at second gave Licey the eighth run scored by Mel Rojas Jr 8-3.

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2/9/23



Venezuela stamps its signature to the Caribbean Series final

Leones defeated Colombia 7-5 and will now face the Tigres del Licey

GERARDO JAVIER ROMERO

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

DAYAN FRIAS, SS, BATTING 9TH, COLUMBIA

AB 3, R 2, H 1, RBI 0, HR 0, BB 1, K 1, AVG .207, OBP .303

Offensively, Frias had a respectable game. Trailing 2-0 at the top of the 3rd inning, Dayan walked with one out and scored Columbia's first run on an rbi double by Campero. At the top half of the 5th inning and with Columbia trailing 4-2, Dayan singled with two outs and scored on a triple by Campero who scored Acuna's base hit cutting the lead to 4-3. Frias was safe on an error by the pitcher and was stranded at second in the 7th. Dayan led off the 9th inning and struck out swinging.

Defensively, Dayan had seven chances without any errors.

[ It was fun while it lasted Dayan Frias ]

Leones del Caracas asserted its power by defeating (7-5) Vaqueros de Montería from Colombia and reaching the finals of the Greater Caracas 2023 Caribbean Series.

The Lions offense started early in the bottom of the first inning with a hit by José Rondón. The shot allowed him to send Wilfredo Tovar and Alí Castillo to the plate 2-0.

Colombia came back with a double from Campero driving in Frias from first base in the top of the third 2-1.

However, Caracas would increase the advantage in that same inning with two bases loaded walks 4-1.

Colombia kept the game tight with a couple more runs in the top of the fifth. Dayan Frias singled with two outs and scored on a triple by Campero 4-3 . Campero scored on Acuna's base hit 4-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, José Rondón was the protagonist again with a home run to left field to drive in Hernán Pérez and make the game 6-3.

The sixth inning, the Lions recorded the seventh run on a hit by Hernán Pérez allowing Wilfredo Tovar to score 7-3.

Columbia rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the eighth 7-5.

Despite this, Anthony Vizcaya took the mound in the final stretch of the eighth to end the inning and masterfully get the three outs in the ninth.

Now the Leones del Caracas will face the Tigres del Licey in the grand final to define the champion of the 2023 Caribbean Series.

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SEMI FINALS

Cañeros de Los Mochis will face Los Indios de Mayaguez de Puerto Rico
Leones del Caracas will face the Tigres del Licey

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TOUR OF THE NEW STADIUM - AWESOME STADIUM

https://youtu.be/ZqcgnstiDNs

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BENCHES EMPTY

https://twitter.com/i/status/1623850865093124103

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COLUMBIA VS VENEZUELA FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS DAYAN FRIAS SS #77

https://youtu.be/vlz0sYDVZM8

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Mexico took third place in SDC 2023

Cañeros de Los Mochis defeated the Vaqueros de Montería of Colombia 1-0

DAYAN FRIAS, SS, Batting 9th, Columbia

AB 3, C 0, H 0, RBI 0, HR 0, BB 0, K 1, AVG .188, OBP .278

Offensively, A tough way to exit the tournament; Overall, a decent performance, I expected much more from Dayan. He's a very good ball player. In the 3rd inning Frias grounded out third to first. In the top of 5th, flied out to left field. In the 7th struck out swinging to end the inning.

Defensively, not much action. Only three chances without an error.


CARACAS ( EFE ) --

Los Cañeros de Los Mochis , from Mexico , defeated the Vaqueros de Montería 1-0 , from Colombia this Friday with a single run , with which the Aztec team took third place in the 2023 Caribbean Series , prior to the Final that will be played by the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the host country.

After five full innings of few hits, and even fewer scoring chances, American Joey Terdoslavich hit the only productive drive of the game.

With a liner to center field, Terdoslavich drove in the winning run, a marker that Colombia was unable to come back, despite some attempts, especially in the seventh inning, when they had men at second and third base, but two batters were retired with strikeouts that ended the hopes of Columbia.

Los Cañeros , who return to their country with a slight sense of triumph, accumulated five victories in the regular round, which allowed them to qualify first for the Semifinals, in which they lost to the Dominican Republic 8-3.

For their part, the Vaqueros reached the Semifinals after four victories in the first phase, where they lost in the end against Venezuela, the same team that later prevented them from going to the Final with a 7-5 win in favor of the hosts.

[ In all, the Vaqueros performed well. They very easily could have ended up in the championship round. 3 of their 5 defeats were by 1 run. 2 of the 5 defeats were by 2 runs. They had their opportunities but failed to come up with the big hits when they needed them most, including today's game. Columbia ends the series with a 4-5 mark. ]

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[ The championship game just started with the Dominican Republic (5-3) facing off against host team Venezuela (6-2) ]

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2/10/23



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Tigres del Licey shut out Los Leones del Caracas 3-0: champions of the Gran Caracas Caribbean Series 2023

Liceywith crown number 11 and number 22 for the Dominican Republic

César Valdez was chosen the Most Valuable Player, led the shutout

By Carlos Sanchez

Feb. 10, 2023 | 11:40 p.m.

Santo Domingo -

They did it. The Tigres del Licey (Dominican Republic) secured their 11th Caribbean Series title after a 3-0 shutout over the Leones del Caracas (Venezuela), thanks to a great pitching effort led by their best pitcher, César Valdez, who was elected the Most Valuable Player.

It was great for the Tigres, who had lost their previous games at the Estadio Monumental Simón Bolívar (La Rinconada) and won the most important one for them in this Series.

The Tigers scored one in the second, fifth and ninth and thus gave the Dominican Republic their 23rd Caribbean Series title and the 11th for the team, which closes a great year in 2023.

They won their regular series with one of the best win percentages for a 50-game season,

The took numerous individual awards.

The were won the championship series 4-1.

Now they close with a Caribbean title, which they had not achieved since 2008.

Before this triumph, they had failed three times to take the crown, which they returned to their country, after the Águilas Cibaeñas won in Mazatlán in 2021.

It was not easy for this team either, which entered through the qualifying system after they eliminated Indios de Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) when both team finished with a 4-3 records in the first phase of this Greater Caracas 2023 Caribbean Series .

Valdez (1-0, 0.00), as in his first meeting against the Lions on February 5, was in command of his pitching and this time he threw 6 1/3 innings of 3 hits and six strikeouts. In the seventh he had to leave the game due to discomfort after leaving Hernán Pérez at the plate with two strikes. The strikeout was completed by Jonathan Aro, who got Oswaldo Arcia to ground out and fanned José Rondón to complete the seventh inning. In his two games, Valdez left without allowing a run.

Licey's first run came in the second inning, a fly ball by Kelvin Gutiérrez that brought Henry Urrutia to the plate.

In the fifth, Yamaico Navarro singled to left field and Gustavo Núñez scored. In the action, Navarro was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double, but he produced to make it 2-0.

In the ninth against Anthony Vizcaya, Luis Barrera drew a walk, after one out, stole second and scored after Núñez's ground ball to second, where second baseman Hernán Pérez threw wildly to first base and Barrera came to the plate to the third run.

With Valdez's work, everything was in the hands of the reliefers. In addition to Aro, Fernando Abad threw a scoreless eighth of only one walk and left everything ready in the ninth for the Licey closer, Jairo Asencio, who appeared for his seventh outing in the nine days to pick up the save.

Asencio achieved his third save, the same number he recorded in 2012, when he then reinforced the Leones del Escogido, who won the Caribbean Series that year, which was played in Santo Domingo.

After retiring Hernán Pérez, with a ground ball to third with which Kelvin Gutiérrez shone, the Dominican players took the field to celebrate the victory in this Gran Caracas 2023 Series.

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2/10/23


Danry Vásquez

Caribbean Series All-Star Team Revealed

The group includes Venezuelan outfielder Danry Vásquez and the reliever Anthony Viscaya

By SAIRUBY ALAYON FLORES

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

After the semifinal game between Colombia and Venezuela, where the Venezuelan squad received their pass to the finals.

The team of the best players of this Caribbean Series was announced.

Two Venezuelans appear, Danry Vásquez outfielder and pitcher Anthony Vizcaya.

Jorge Bauza was in charge of the selection process for the All-Star team which was composed of the most prominent players in the 2023 Caribbean Series.

For the second time, Reynaldo Rodríguez (Colombia) and the Creole outfielder Danry Vásquez (Venezuela) are part of this team.

The manager of the All Star team is the Venezuelan José Moreno who was in charge of Cañeros de los Mochis (Mexico)

Moreno is the first Creole manager to be elected, since Carlos Subero in 2006 also with the Leones del Caracas.

This is the complete team list 2023:

Receiver: José Heberto Félix (Mexico)

First base: Reynaldo Rodríguez (Mexico)

Second base: Francisco Acuna (Colombia)

Third base: Emmanuel Rivera (Puerto Rico)

Shortstop: Dayan Frias (Colombia)

Left fielder: Danry Vásquez (Venezuela)

Center fielder: Emilio Bonifacio (Dominican Republic)

Right fielder: Gustavo Campero (Colombia)

Designated Hitter: Jordan Diaz (Colombia)

Starter: Eduar Diaz (Colombia)

Closer: Anthony Vizcaya (Venezuela)

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[ Previously, I mentioned that Columbia had a very good team coming into this series. I thought they had a good chance of winning this thing.

They played super defense, they were in every game as evidenced by the five players that made the all-star team.

Three of their losses were by 1 run. Two others were lost by 2 runs. Failure to come up with the big hits in clutch situations led to their demise.

Despite the misfortunes, they were still one win away from making the semi-finals.

FIVE Columbians made the all-star team including Dayan Frias.

Frias's defense was exceptional. He was charged with three errors early on in the series but two of those chances were difficult plays and could have gone either way. The third was a throwing error on a slow chopper to short

Dayan had a tough first three games at the plate but got it together and had a respectable finish coming through in the clutch in several games.

The keystone combination consisted of two Columbians, Dayan Frias & Francisco Acuna

The last Cleveland representative to make the Caribbean Series All-Star game was Jose Ramirez in 2013 Coincidentally Jose Ramirez was 20 years old in 2013 & Dayan Frias is 20 years old in 2023.

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This is the complete team list 2013:

C: Francisco Peña, Escogido (.176/.176/.529, 2 HR)

1B: Donell Linares, Escogido (.259/.323/.370)

2B: José Ramírez, Escogido (.226/.385/.387) 2013 - 20 years old
SS: Dayan Frias, Columbia (.188/.278/.219) 2023 - 20 years old

SS: Miguel Tejada, Escogido (.300/.405/.533, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

3B: Mario Lissón, Magallanes (.261/.261/.522, 2 HR)

OF: Marlon Byrd, Obregón (.222/.313/.370, 4 2B, 6 RBI)

OF: Ricardo Nanita, Escogido (.276/.364/.414, 6 R, 7 RBI)

OF: Doug Clark, Obregón (.393/.414/.500)

DH: Bárbaro Cañizares, Obregón (.318/.483/.591, 6 RBI)

RHP: Luis Mendoza, Obregón (2-0, 0 R, 5 H, 12 K in 13 1/3 IP)

LHP: Efrain Nieves, Caguas (1-0, 1.50

Middle Reliever: David Reyes, Obregón (1 H, 7 K, 0 R in 5 1/3 IP)

Closer: Saul Rivera, Caguas (0 R, 5 K in 3 IP, 2 Sv)

Manager: Audo Vicente, Escogido

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After all the years I've been following this series, 2023 was one of the very best of the best]

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JOSE RAMIREZ AT AGE 20 2013

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DAYAN FRIAS AT AGE 20 2023

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2/11/23



WBC 2023 will open on March 8 in Taiwan; will end with the championship game on March 21 at loanDepot park in Miami.

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2/11/23



With Urshela: Colombia announced the roster for the World Baseball Classic

By Augusto Cesar Puello Mestre

Last update 2/10/23 at 9:20 AM

The roster that Colombia will have in the World Baseball Classic, which will be held in Texas next March, was revealed. The Colombian delegation, full of Columbians, will have infielder Giovanny Urshela and pitcher José Quintana as main figures.

Infielders and Outfielders for Columbia is led by Gio Urshela, together with prominent Cartagena players ​​in the Caribbean Series such as Jesús Marriaga and Dayan Frías. The absence of Reynaldo Rodríguez, a figure with Vaqueros de Montería and with Mexico in the Caribbean Series, is striking

The following is Colombia's full roster for the competition:

INFIELDERS

Jordan Díaz, Dayan Frías, Evan Mendoza, Fabián Pertuz, Adrián Sánchez, Donovan Solano, Giovanni Urshela

CATCHERS

Jorge Alfaro, Meibrys Viloria, Elias Díaz

OUTFIELDERS

Jesús Marriaga, Óscar Mercado, Tito Polo, Harold Ramírez, Gustavo Campero

PITCHERS

José Quintana, Nabil Crismatt, Reiver Sanmartín, Jhon Romero, William Cuevas, Elkin Alcalá, Danis Correa, Guillermo Zúñiga, Rubén Galindo, Pedro García, Río Gómez, Jasier Herrera, José Torres, Yapson Gómez and Adrián Almeida

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WINTER BALL 2022-2023 SEASON STATS:
INCLUDES PLAYOFF/SEMI FINALS/FINALS/SERIES DEL CARIBE
FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THOSE EVENTS

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Formatting Sucks.
It looked good on my desktop but all messed up on my laptop.
I guess there's a difference in monitor sizes
I tried to create an excel file and save it as a jpeg. I couldn't copy and paste the jpeg to the "BB Code"

World Baseball Classic Teams

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https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/teams

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Palacios brothers fulfill lifelong dream to team up for the Netherlands

By Mandy Bell

February 16, 2023

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

There was no way Richard and Lianne Palacios were going to miss this.

For the first time since their sons, Richie and Josh, played youth baseball, the two were finally going to be on the same roster. Josh is two years older than Richie, which meant he was always a level ahead of his younger brother when it came to team age groups as children. Sometimes, Richie would play up with the older kids to get some more experience, but they never were truly on the same roster.

That changed this December, and it is about to happen again in the World Baseball Classic.

Both Richie (outfielder in the Guardians organization) and Josh (outfielder in the Pirates organization) were planning to play winter ball this offseason, so they headed to the Puerto Rican league, joining Indios de Mayagüez -- the team that went on to win the championship at the end of January.



They were there to continue to hone their skills and make themselves better options for their respective clubs, but what they got in return was a championship celebration and a special family memory, as their parents watched them compete side by side for the first time.

“They didn’t want to miss that at all,” Richie said, with a grin. “My dad was just so happy that he was able to watch us do it after they sacrificed so much for us to get there. So, he was so happy, smiling ear to ear, and so were we.”

That smile didn’t have time to go away before another special announcement was made. And this time, it’s their mom who’s beaming even more.

Josh and Richie will head to Taiwan in a few weeks to team up for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. The two grew up in New York, but their mother was born in Curaçao and has a Dutch passport, making them eligible to compete for her home country.

“My mom was extremely excited,” Richie said. “She was screaming and stuff when she found out that we got selected for it.”

The Palacios family still has plenty of roots in Lianne’s native country. There are aunts, uncles and cousins still residing in Curaçao, and Richie said he’s visited the area seven or eight times already at just 25 years of age. Richie couldn’t help but boast of the pride he has to represent his mother and there’s no doubt in his mind that she’ll feel the same when the tournament gets underway on March 8.

“It’s honestly amazing, because growing up and when we made it to the Major Leagues, a lot of the publicity went to my dad, because he was always a baseball guy, he was always teaching us, even though my mom sacrificed so much,” Richie said. “So now it’s really cool to play for her country, because she’s getting some notoriety and it’s just fun to be able to pull for her, because she sacrificed so much for us.”



For the second time in a matter of months, the Palacios family can bond over baseball -- something that they’ve done since Josh and Richie were born. Their father, Richard, who reached Triple-A in the Tigers’ organization, took time to serve as a coach to both of them at times growing up. Richie leaned on his older brother to help him with learning all the skills that made the older kids successful -- something he described as a cheat code. Now, the two lean on each other through their professional careers by talking every day.

“I always go to him for advice about things,” Richie said, “and he’s always following me even though he’s still playing and I follow him even though I’m still playing.”

One thing the brothers always envisioned was playing in the World Baseball Classic together one day. Now, they’ll be able to do so.

• Check out all the Guardians who will play in the Classic

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Richie said. “And I didn’t want to miss it, because I grew up dreaming to play in this and watching Puerto Rico and Netherlands and Dominican and all these Classics, it’s always been my dream.”

Just as quickly as Richard and Lianne took off for Puerto Rico this winter to watch their sons play together, the two punched their tickets to Taiwan after the WBC rosters were released.

There was no way they were going to miss it.

“We’ve been dreaming about playing together since we were little kids,” Richie said. “Now [we're] going to be able to do that on a bigger stage.”

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10 reasons why this World Baseball Classic will be an instant thriller

By Jon Paul Morosi

February 9, 2023

Each playing of the World Baseball Classic is a heart-pounding, flag-waving, horn-blaring revival. The melodies are different, the artists arrive and depart the stage, but the passion rhymes.

We haven’t heard a sound like this since Jim Leyland and Team USA stood atop the dais at Dodger Stadium six years ago.

Now the wait is nearly over.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic features 20 teams, up from 16. MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw are poised to make their Classic debuts. The first pitch is less than one month away.

For international baseball devotees and first-time Classic fans, here are key storylines to watch in the fifth installment of baseball’s best-on-best extravaganza.

1. Team USA has a difficult road to defending the title

Team USA is the reigning champion and has a more star-studded roster this time — all of which guarantees nothing in one of the world’s most unpredictable sporting events.

Consider: In 2006, Team USA had future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., and Chipper Jones, along with Roger Clemens and Alex Rodríguez. And that team failed to reach the semifinal after losses to Canada and Mexico.

This year’s U.S. roster features a better blend of power and speed than previous iterations, thanks to Betts, Trout, Trea Turner, Tim Anderson and Cedric Mullins. Manager Mark DeRosa has an abundance of options for a first base/designated hitter rotation that could include reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S. is the only nation that can win the tournament without having to leave its home soil. That is a massive advantage. Yet, there is urgency in developing the cohesion necessary to win. From the first game of pool play through the championship round in Miami, Team USA would need to play seven times in a span of 11 days. And unlike in 2017, all games after group play are single-elimination.

2. Japan is talented — and tournament-tested

World Baseball Classic champions exhibit two crucial characteristics: star-level talent and chemistry that develops quickly or has already developed through past competitions.

In that way, Japan is better prepared than any other country to win the title.

Samurai Japan won the WBSC Premier12 in 2019 and Olympic gold on home soil two years later. Several key players from those rosters are back for the Classic — joined by Ohtani, who missed the ’17 event due to injury.

North American fans — and teams — are eager to witness the worldwide showcase of potential future MLB stars Munetaka Murakami (who hit 56 home runs last year to break Sadaharu Oh’s record for Japanese-born players) and Rōki Sasaki (who threw 17 consecutive perfect innings last season).

3. The Dominican Republic has assembled one of the great infields ever

We challenge you: Search any roster from the World Baseball Classic -- from the World Series, even the All-Star Game, for that matter -- and it will be difficult to find infield talent comparable to the group Dominican Republic manager Rodney Linares has in the ’23 Classic.

The names? Manny Machado. Jeremy Peña. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rafael Devers. Wander Franco. Willy Adames.

Wow.

Oh, and the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner — Sandy Alcantara — is the ace.

4. Cuba’s roster features MLB talent

For the first time, the Cuban federation invited back select MLB players to the national team for a World Baseball Classic. In the end, two players on current Major League rosters — Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert of the White Sox — made the final selection.

Technically, all Cuban-born players are eligible for the tournament, regardless of whether they possess a current Cuban passport. (Under Classic rules, being born in a country is sufficient to comply with eligibility criteria.) The Cuban federation considered candidates on a case-by-case basis, weighing factors that included the circumstances of how each player left the country and his current relationship with Cuba and the national federation.

The motivation for inviting Moncada and Robert is clear: Cuba’s ability to compete internationally has been compromised by the absence of the 33 Cuban-born players who appeared in the Majors last year. Cuba lost to Japan in the championship game of the inaugural Classic in 2006 — and hasn’t reached a semifinal since.

5. Mexico’s moment has arrived

Mexico is well-positioned to advance beyond the first round for the first time since 2009 — and could make the country’s first appearance in a Classic semifinal.

Why the optimism for a team that managed only one victory in each of the last two Classics? Most importantly, Mexico has a deep pitching staff led by starters Julio Urías, Taijuan Walker and José Urquidy, with Giovanny Gallegos headlining the bullpen. The lineup is deeper than six years ago, as well, thanks to Rowdy Tellez, Alejandro Kirk and Randy Arozarena.

The Mexico-USA matchup in Phoenix on March 12 promises to be one of the most electrifying games of the tournament. Mexico is 2-1 against Team USA in Classic play, including the emphatic 2013 victory at Chase Field; Rodrigo López, who pitched for Mexico that year and is now the team’s general manager, estimated that 70 percent of the crowd in Phoenix was cheering for Mexico.

6. Venezuela poised to make a run

Venezuela finished third at the ’09 Classic, when perennial All-Stars Miguel Cabrera, Félix Hernández, and Francisco Rodriguez were in their primes. The Vinotinto faded over the past decade, with a 3-7 combined record over the past two Classics; the ’17 tournament included losses to Puerto Rico by scores of 11-0 and 13-2.

Spain and Italy are the only teams Venezuela has defeated in the Classic since 2009. That won’t be true for much longer.

Luis Arraez (reigning AL batting champ), Jose Altuve (three batting titles) and Andrés Giménez (2022 All-Star) lead the sort of contact-oriented lineup that thrives in tournament baseball, and superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. was a late addition to the roster. Pablo López, Ranger Suárez, Martín Pérez, Germán Márquez, Eduardo Rodríguez and Jesús Luzardo give Venezuela as much pitching depth as it has ever had in a Classic.

7. Big names in the dugout

Mike Piazza is a Hall of Fame catcher. Yadier Molina will likely join him in Cooperstown one day. Four-time All-Star Ian Kinsler won the 2017 World Baseball Classic and a World Series ring the following year. Mark DeRosa helped Team USA reach the ’09 semifinal during a 16-year MLB career that saw him contribute to 12 postseason teams.

All four are managing in the tournament: Piazza (Italy), Molina (Puerto Rico), Kinsler (Israel) and DeRosa (USA).

Canada’s Ernie Whitt deserves special mention as the only person to manage in all five editions of the Classic. Potential MLB managers Jolbert Cabrera (Colombia), Rodney Linares (Dominican Republic) and Omar López (Venezuela) are managing in the Classic for the first time.

8. Korea’s chance at redemption

The Republic of Korea has one of the strongest baseball traditions in the world. They won Olympic gold in 2008, earned silver in the Classic one year later, and stand fourth in the WBSC men’s baseball world rankings.

But Korea’s disappointment at the most recent Classic has lingered for six years. They were one of the host nations in 2017 but lost their tournament opener to Israel and failed to reach the second round.

With a revitalized roster, Korea has a good chance to advance out of Pool B. Outfielder Jung-hoo Lee, son of the Korean baseball icon Jong-beom Lee, can make a lasting impression on MLB teams before he’s posted by KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes after the upcoming season. Korean-American infielder Tommy Edman will represent the country of his mother’s heritage, as he’s reunited with former Cardinals teammate Kwang Hyun Kim.

9. Colombian shortstops, past and present

The breakthrough for Colombian baseball arrived in 2004, when the country claimed both starting shortstops in the World Series: Boston’s Orlando Cabrera and St. Louis’ Edgar Renteria.

That season, three Colombian-born players appeared in the Majors. Last year, the number reached 13 — with more talent on the way. After Colombia nearly upset the United States and Dominican Republic in the ’17 Classic, opponents know better than to underestimate them.

Jolbert Cabrera — Orlando’s brother and the third Colombian player in the Majors back in ’04 — is managing this year’s Classic team. Fittingly, Renteria and Orlando Cabrera are on the coaching staff to mentor the next generation of Colombian infielders: Dayan Frias, 20, of the Guardians and Fabian Pertuz, 22, of the Cubs.

10. Great Britain’s big baseball year

This could be the biggest year for baseball in Great Britain since 1749 — when the sport was invented near London, according to author and researcher David Block. (It’s true: Baseball is a British sport. You can look it up.)

Great Britain will make its Classic debut after winning a qualifying tournament last September in which Mariners catching prospect Harry Ford played a starring role. Ford, an Atlanta native whose parents were born in the United Kingdom, ranks among the MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects in the sport; he batted .455 with three home runs in the qualifier.

Ford, 19, is on the roster again this spring, along with Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson. Great Britain is managed by California native Drew Spencer, a Dartmouth College graduate whose first Classic game will be against Team USA on March 11.

The Classic should generate even more excitement for baseball in the United Kingdom, ahead of the second MLB London Series in June between the Cardinals and Cubs.

Great Britain is arriving to its first WBC with the tournament at its competitive zenith. The margin for error is almost nonexistent – as it is for all 20 teams.

Play Ball.

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Baseball: All eyes on Yu Darvish in Japan's WBC camp

KYODO NEWS KYODO NEWS

Feb 18, 2023 5 hours ago - 21:15 | Sports, All

Miyazaki, Japan

Even in the bullpen, Yu Darvish, the oldest member of the Samurai Japan World Baseball Classic team, was the center of attention Saturday.

Wearing the same red and navy colors he donned as the winning pitcher in the 2009 WBC final to seal Japan's last championship, the 36-year-old Darvish threw a 35-pitch bullpen at the team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan.

Despite a crowd of teammates and former players, including 2009 WBC teammate and MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka and Japanese Hall of Famer Hideo Nomo, Darvish said he was locked in on his work.

"I was in a situation I can mentally control," he said. "I created my own world and just concentrated."

With every pitch, he checked the tracking data on a pad to see if he was getting the kind of spin and break on his pitches that he expected.

"I was able to throw about as well as I do in my best times in San Diego," the Padres right-hander said. "My command was at a high level."

Like the other four members of the team who play in MLB, Darvish is prohibited from taking part in any exhibitions before March 5. But that, Darvish said, will not be a problem for him before the tournament starts for Japan on March 9 at Tokyo Dome.

"If I get to throw live batting practice, I think I'll be fine," he said.

Darvish, who has not played in Japan since 2011, has said one of his priorities was achieving good communication with his Japan teammates.

In the bullpen, he answered questions from Takuya Kai, the six-time Golden Glove-winning catcher who handled his bullpen and watched teammates Shosei Togo and Atsuki Yuasa pitch.

"I think that they're gradually getting to understand my personality," Darvish said. "It doesn't feel like I'm the leader, but rather we'll just grow together day by day."

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