Alex Rodriguez has confirmed that he will play for the Dominican Republic this spring in the World Baseball Classic after competing for the United States in 2006.

"I'm fulfilling a promise not only to my mother, but to me as well. She always wanted me to play for the Dominican team and wear this uniform," Rodriguez told the New York Daily News. "I'm very proud to represent the Dominican team. It's a dream come true."

Though born in New York, Rodriguez's parents were born in the Dominican Republic, and WBC rules allow a player to elect the team other than his birth country if he has ancestors from that country.

Rodriguez was not sure if he would play for the USA or the Dominican in 2006 before deciding to play for the U.S. This time, he knows with certainty which uniform he will wear.

"I am 100 percent sure I will play for the Dominican Republic team. This time, there will be no doubt. I was very proud to play for the United States, but that's the past and this is the present. It's going to be a very special day to see the 'R' and the 'D' on my cap and across my chest," said Rodriguez, referring to the Spanish abbreviation of Republica Dominicana. "It's a special day for my family and all the Dominican baseball fans."

Fresh off a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada course, where he smoked a Cuban cigar for most of the morning, A-Rod confirmed Saturday that he will play for the Dominican team in next spring's World Baseball Classic.

"I'm fulfilling a promise not only to my mother, but to me as well. She always wanted me to play for the Dominican team and wear this uniform," the Yankees' third baseman said in Spanish before a small group of mostly Dominican reporters. "I'm very proud to represent the Dominican team. It's a dream come true."

In 2006, Rodriguez played for the United States. A-Rod was born in New York, but his parents are Dominican. The WBC rules state that a player can elect the team of his birth country or another team if he has ancestors from that country. Mike Piazza, the former Mets' catcher, played for the Italian team in 2006. David Ortiz, who hosted the charity golf tournament that A-Rod was playing in Saturday, had hinted last week that Rodriguez would switch WBC jerseys and join Big Papi's side.

"I am 100% sure I will play for the Dominican Republic team. This time, there will be no doubt. I was very proud to play for the United States, but that's the past and this is the present. It's going to be a very special day to see the 'R' and the 'D' on my cap and across my chest," said Rodriguez, referring to the Spanish abbreviation of Republica Dominicana. "It's a special day for my family and all the Dominican baseball fans."

A-Rod waffled on his decision in 2006, saying at one point that he might not play at all, before deciding on the U.S.

"In recent weeks, following dialogue with caring friends and players, both Dominican and American, I reached the conclusion that if I played in the Classic, I would play for the United States and honor my American citizenship," Rodriguez said in a statement he posted on his Web site back then. "I appreciate the support and understanding of my fellow Dominican players and friends who aided me in making this decision. . . . I look forward, if selected, to representing the United States in what will be baseball's greatest international competition."

As for the Yankees, his principal employer, Rodriguez said Saturday he has already tried to do some recruiting of the prize free-agent pitchers that are available. So far, CC Sabathia hasn't returned A-Rod's call, but Rodriguez has spread the love beyond the hefty lefty.

"I have spoken with A.J. Burnett. And I'm saying my prayers every night, hoping we land both of them. A lot of long prayers," Rodriguez said in English.

Rodriguez said he considered 2008 an unsatisfying season despite putting up solid numbers - a .302 average, 35 homers and 103 RBI - as the Bombers failed to reach the playoffs after 13 consecutive postseason berths.

"The answer's the same every year - no, I didn't have a good year because we didn't get to where we needed to go to. We didn't win the World Series. We didn't even get to the World Series and we didn't get to the playoffs. So the answer's an emphatic 'no.'

"I always feel we can do better. Even in 2007, when I personally had a great year, we didn't win the World Series. And that's ultimately how I judge my season. I'm doing a lot of conditioning down in Miami. I'm looking forward to not only having a great year, but hopefully raising the banner, No. 27 for the New York Yankees and also the introduction of the new building in Yankee Stadium.

"The 9-year-old comes out in me and I get really giddy. I want to see my new locker, our new weight room. It's Christmas in March in New York."

Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox finished his first season, in 2007, by winning the World Series and the American League Rookie of the Year award. Pedroia was named the American League’s MVP on Tuesday, winning 16 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau finished second, with seven first-place votes, followed by Red Sox teammate Kevin Youkilis, who had two  The 25 year old Red Sox Second Basemen is the first A.L. 2B to win the award since Nellie Fox took home the honors in the late 1950's.  Pedroia joins Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard as the only players to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in consecutive years - not bad company to be in at all.

Pedroia was not in the top 10 in on-base percentage or slugging percentage, but his performance in other areas compensated for this deficit. He finished a very close second in batting average behind Joe Mauer.  Pedroia’s 118 runs and 54 doubles led the league, and his 213 hits were tied for the most with Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki.

The American League's Newest MVP discussed told MLB.com, "I really didn't know what to expect.  I was just excited to be named with all those players. There's a ton of great players. When you hear your name come up in that category, you definitely get excited and nervous. I wasn't nervous or overly excited. For me, just to be in that category is an extreme honor."

Pedroia was a critical component of the Red Sox's postseason run. He hit a healthy .346 in Boston’s 7 game loss to Tampa Bay in the A.L. Championship Series, although the m.v.p. votes were cast before the postseason.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer also had two first-place votes and finished fourth. The rest of the top 10 included the White Sox’ Carlos Quentin, the Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez, the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton, the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, the Rays’ Carlos Pena and the Indians’ Grady Sizemore.

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As many collectors will remember, Donruss distributed puzzle pieces in a number of their baseball cards products from the early 80's until the early 90's.  The most popular of these puzzle inserts were Donruss Hall of Fame Diamond King Puzzles.

The Hall of Fame Diamond King puzzle line appeared in various Donruss and Leaf products from 1982 - 1992.  Hall of Fame Diamond Kings Puzzles showcased a total of 15 different Hall of Famers, each of which were depicted on seperate puzzels.  A reader contacted me a few days ago in hopes that I could provide him with a complete checklist of all the Hall of Fame Diamond King Puzzles ever produced.  After some digging around, I found (and confirmed) the full checklist which I've posted below:

Donruss Hall of Fame Diamond King Puzzles

1982 Donruss - Babe Ruth
1983 Donruss - Ty Cobb
1983 Donruss Action All Stars - Mickey Mantle
1984 Donruss - Duke Snider
1984 Donruss Action All Stars - Ted Williams
1985 Donruss - Lou Gehrig
1986 Donruss - Hank Aaron
1987 Donruss - Roberto Clemente
1988 Donruss - Stan Musial
1989 Donruss - Warren Spahn
1990 Donruss - Carl Yastrzemski
1990 Leaf - Yogi Berra
1991 Donruss - Willie Stargell
1991 Leaf - Harmon Killebrew
1992 Donruss - Rod Carew

Friday afternoon Upper Deck issued a statement outlining their plans to discontinue the practice of publishing Suggested Retail Pricing rates for their Trading Card Products.  The change will only effect Upper Deck Hobby Products, with MSRP remaining in effect for all Upper Deck retail card products

Chris Carlin, Upper Deck's Marketing Manager, was quoted in the statement as saying, "Upper Deck has made the decision to no longer publish a suggested retail price on hobby products.  Hobby shops have not been using Upper Deck’s suggested retail pricing, as they determine the pricing that works best in their store based on current market conditions, supply and demand. SRPs were removed from sales materials to hobby customers some time ago. Collectors interested in pricing on new Upper Deck products should continue to consult with their local hobby dealer."

Prior to the start of the 2008 MLB Regular Season the notion that the Tampa Bay Rays would make the playoffs, much less the World Series, was regarded as ridiculous (to put it kindly).  The Ray's combination of young talent, a great front office and excellent clubhouse chemistry has silenced the critics and naysayers one by one.

One of the main catalysts begind the franchise's rapid accent from worst to first has been Rays V.P. of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman.  Friedman, along with his key adviser Gerry Hunsicker, were responsible for a number of brilliant offseason moves.  They were responsible for orchitrating the trade that brought Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett to the team, hiring manager Joe Maddon, acquiring Willy Aybar, and drafting All Star Rookie third baseman Evan Longoria.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had this to say about Friedman, "Andrew isn't afraid to walk through the fire to execute his game plan.  How Andrew does what he does, I couldn't tell you. Coca-Cola doesn't give out its secret formula. But whatever he's doing, it's working."

The Tampa Tribune interviewed Friedman, along with business associates, friends and family members, to get a more complete picture of the Ray's All Star Executive.  Here is an excerpt from the article that describes the Friedman's characteristic tenacity:

"He'd play games with my friends - older guys - and he got knocked down plenty," said the older brother, a Houston real-estate developer. "Then he'd get up. He'd get knocked down again. Then he'd get up. If he really wanted something, he was going to work to get it."

Friedman's determination sometimes reached ridiculous levels as an Astros fan, where he saw hundreds of games, including a 16-inning loss to the Mets in Game 6 of the 1986 National League Championship Series. "Fairly traumatic," Friedman said. Players befriended him, and he usually turned up back at the family seats with a collection of bats, wristbands and batting gloves.

Regularly, young Andrew hung out at the visiting team hotel, feeding his self-described "insatiable" appetite for everything baseball. According to family legend, he once met Tony Gwynn in the lobby, handing over about 60 baseball cards and asking for autographs. Come back tomorrow, Gwynn said, as he took the cards.

The next day, the cards were returned - all signed.

The rest of the article can be found on the Tampa Tribune's website.

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The day after its' scheduled release date of 10/15, 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Baseball appeared to be MIA.  Dealers from around the country are reporting that their shipments of 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights have been delayed by Topps.  There are varrying accounts regarding the duration of the delay, as Topps has yet to publicly announced a revised release date.  The Topps Website still lists the release date for 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights as 10/15, and has no mention of the product being delayed.

Mike Smith, a reporter for The Cardboard Connection, contacted Topps directly in an effort to clarify the confusion surrounding the release of 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights.  A Public Relations Representative from Topps said that ," It [2008 Topps Updates & Highlights] is tentatively scheduled for full release to dealers and distributors on Wednesday, October 22nd."

I guess you could say that Mike Lieberthal has become stuck in the middle.  He made his major league debut on June 30, 1994 with the Philadelphia Phillies and played his last game on September 22, 2007 with the Dodgers.  During his playing career he was a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove Award Winner, and 2002 National League Comeback Player of the Year.  Lieberthal made his debut in the majors right after the Phillies went to the World Series in 1993 and he left the Phillies the year they went to the playoffs for the first time in awhile back in 2007.  In his last year of playing professional baseball the Dodgers didn't make the playoffs. 

Lets fast forward to 2008.  Right now the Philadelphia Phillies and LA Dodgers are headed towards each other in the National League Championship Series.  All I can think about is how Mike Lieberthal must be feeling stuck in the middle.  If he would have played one more year he would have had a chance of going to the World Series.  I'm sure this has happened before and will happen again in the future.  I guess you could say that he is the Tiki Barber of baseball.  If you recall, Tiki Barber retired one year before the Giants won the Super Bowl. 

Mike Lieberthal does have a small collecting base.  Some of his key cards would include his 1991 Bowman RC, 1991 Topps Desert Shield RC, and 2004 Sweet Spot Autographed card.  Personally, I would like to see more cards of him.  In my opinion, Mike Lieberthal deserves a World Series ring.

Andrew Chrisman runs Sports Card Info, http://sportscardinfo.wordpress.com/

A blog that provides hobby news, stories, thoughts, and fake card information.

Pitching for the first time since Sept. 2, Carlos Zambrano pitched the first no-hitter by a Chicago Cub in over 36 years.  Fresh off a 2 week break because of a sore rotator cuff, Zambrano shut down the Houston Astros 5-0 Sunday night.  The game was played in the Milwaukee Brewer's ball park as a result of Hurricane Ike striking Houston, the location where the game had originally been scheduled to take place.  The Elias Sports bureau confirmed that this was the first no-hitter thrown in a neutral ball park in the history of Major League Baseball.

"I'm a little confused right now.  I still can't believe it. It's a great feeling, a feeling that you can't describe," said Zambrano immediately following the final out of the game which sealed his no hitter

Astro's manager, Cecil Cooper, didn't take the loss very well,"This is not a home game. This is definitely an advantage for the Cubs and that's saying it as mildly as possible.  It's hard to put into words. You think first about your safety and your family's and the people's safety. Now you have to worry about where and when do you play and all that. It's just been a long four days."

Apparently Boston Red Sox Star Closer Jonathan Papelbon first love was no baseball, but dancing....Dirty Dancing that is:

The of this video, as well an an interview with Papelbon in which he offer his side of the story regarding the video, click here.

The Baseball America announced Monday that they have officially named Baltimore Orioles Catcher Matt Wieters as the Baseball America 2008 Minor League Player of the Year.  Wieters has destroyed Minor League Pitching at every level throughout the 2008 Season and looks to have a bright future in the Majors.  The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Catcher has drawn numerous comparisons to Jason Varitek and Mark Texiera - both of which are also Georgia Tech Alumni.  Over his 14 seasons as Georgia Tech's Baseball Coach, Danny Hall has coached a number of highly talented players who later went on to enjoy tremendous big league success.

Based on his experience with each of the 3 Georigia Tech Stars, Hall had this to say, "Varitek was crazy good in college.  And then Mark was your [Baseball America's] Player of the Year as a sophomore and hurt as a junior, so it's hard to judge his career. All three had a very mature approach as hitters, a very high IQ. And all three are switch-hitters, which is just very unique.

"Mark has made quite a mark as a hitter, but the next guy is coming. I have no reason to believe he's [Matt Wieters] not going to be a superstar as a hitter and as a catcher. And there's no doubt he expects it."

Wieter's 2008 stats make a very powerful case for the favorable comparisons made by his former coach:

As if this, coupled with his recent nomination as Baseball America 2008 Minor League Player of the Year were not already enough to send Sports Collectors into a frenzy, Wieters has a very likable and approachable personality.  This rare combination is sure to lead to a very large hobby following once he arrives in the Majors.

Matt Wieters was recently quoted by Baseball America as saying, "The fans are the reasons we're able to play this game. When they show up every night and support you, you've got to give your best effort to give them autographs and just give them a little bit of your time.  You're not going to be able to sign every autograph or get to say hello to every person.  But every chance you can get, it doesn't hurt to take some time out of your day to sign some autographs and make some kids happy."

There are not many Matt Wieters cards currently available on the market. His best autographed rookie cards available are his 2007 Elite Extra Edition Auto RC's produced by Donruss and his 2007 Justifiable Preview Auto RC's from Just Minors.  The price of his cards and memorabilia has already began to increase significantly since being named 2008 BA POY and there are no indications that this positive trend will stop any time soon.

Buy Matt Wieters Baseball Cards & Memorabilia

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