Ortiz says A-Rod will play for D.R. in WBC

[NIGHT STALKER]

Is Alex Rodriguez considering a change of jerseys for the World Baseball Classic?

His pal David Ortiz, a member of the Dominican Republic team, told Yahoo! Sports that Rodriguez -- who represented the United States in the 2006 Classic -- intends to play for the Dominicans this spring.

Ortiz, who is hosting a charity golf tournament this weekend on the island, said the New York Yankees third baseman's WBC team of choice is expected to be a topic of conversation when the two get together at the golf event.

"He wants to play for the Dominican team," Ortiz, Boston's designated hitter, told Yahoo! on Thursday. "We'll talk about it now after he gets here, and he'll probably announce it here."

The Dominican team on Monday will present the uniform it will wear at the WBC.

At the first WBC in 2006, Rodriguez became unhappy with the event's organizers for the way they handled his decision to play for the U.S. instead of the Dominican. The New York Yankees third baseman took issue with reports that he went back and forth between playing for the Americans and the Dominicans. He said he only considered playing for the U.S.

Rodriguez is eligible to play for both nations because he was raised in the United States and his parents are Dominican.

"[Picking a team] was tough ... on me, to be honest with you," Rodriguez said in 2006.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Scott Dierking]

Is Alex Rodriguez considering a change of jerseys for the World Baseball Classic?

His pal David Ortiz, a member of the Dominican Republic team, told Yahoo! Sports that Rodriguez -- who represented the United States in the 2006 Classic -- intends to play for the Dominicans this spring.

Ortiz, who is hosting a charity golf tournament this weekend on the island, said the New York Yankees third baseman's WBC team of choice is expected to be a topic of conversation when the two get together at the golf event.

"He wants to play for the Dominican team," Ortiz, Boston's designated hitter, told Yahoo! on Thursday. "We'll talk about it now after he gets here, and he'll probably announce it here."

The Dominican team on Monday will present the uniform it will wear at the WBC.

At the first WBC in 2006, Rodriguez became unhappy with the event's organizers for the way they handled his decision to play for the U.S. instead of the Dominican. The New York Yankees third baseman took issue with reports that he went back and forth between playing for the Americans and the Dominicans. He said he only considered playing for the U.S.

Rodriguez is eligible to play for both nations because he was raised in the United States and his parents are Dominican.

"[Picking a team] was tough ... on me, to be honest with you," Rodriguez said in 2006.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Instead of Oh for Three with RISP, he can be nada por tres con RISP.

[uart]

I honestly don't care. It's a little annoying that he's switching teams, but it's not like he joined the Taliban or something.

[Bob]

Instead of Oh for Three with RISP, he can be nada por tres con RISP.

That's actually pretty funny.

[faba]

This world playoff is another stupid idea concocted by baseball.

[NIGHT STALKER]

This world playoff is another stupid idea concocted by baseball.

It's all about the money!

[Bugg]

The WBC is one serious injury away from being ditched, or if the Cubans defect as a group. No one gives an eff about it.

[anskyruben]

This is hilarious. Put this in the I don't give 2 sh.i.its file.

[Bugg]

Can anyone remember when the last WBC was, and who won?Vaguely recall Japan, Korea and CUba doing well and the US sucking, but not who won or when it was.

[JonEJet]

I remember the word "gyroball"

Now I know Dice-K was just a fluke

[Bob]

I remember the word "gyroball"

Me, too. It was a magical, unhittable pitch. Maybe cosmic forces are different in the western hemisphere. I bet it's some feng sui thing.

[Maxman]

As long as the story about ARod "switching teams" doesn't involve a weekend affair with Jeter or Rivera I really don't care.

The Yankees have enough distractions without ARod trying to seduce his teammates.

[Jetlag]

Can the Dominicans keep him?

[Bugg]

As long as the story about ARod "switching teams" doesn't involve a weekend affair with Jeter or Rivera I really don't care.

The Yankees have enough distractions without ARod trying to seduce his teammates.

It has to be asked-is consorting with 50-year old 3rd world adoption tourist, cryptkeeper-looking kababalist hags constitute playing for the other team?

A young, newly-single rich famous lad should be getting more hot ___ than a ____. I do not get this.

[124]

I hope ARod just leaves the USA for the Dominican Republic so we can get rid of the stat compiler piece of crap, unclutch hitter he is. The Yankees will NEVER, NEVER win another Championship until Alex Rodriguez is out of pinstripes. As much as it pains me to say it, its true.