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."
