At the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Sidney Ponson currently of the Kansas City Royals tested positive for Phentermine, a stimulant that is on the banned substance list. As a result, Ponson won’t be able to play in international baseball competition for 24 months.
Ponson, who pitched for the Netherlands in the 2009 WBC, says that he was prescribed Phentermine to lose weight. Major League Baseball won’t suspend him.
On the season, Ponson has pitched like he needs performance enhancer. The 32-year-old from Aruba is 1-5 with a 7.27 ERA. Last year, while splitting time between the Texas Rangers and the New York …read more

When Japan needed a big hit to win their second straight World Baseball Classic, they got the needed hit from their biggest star. Ichiro, who has been one of the best baseball players in the world over the last decade, hit a single in the top of the tenth inning to score two runs for Japan.
After ending South Korea’s chances in the bottom of the 10th, Japan became successful in their bid to go 2-for-2 in the World Baseball Classic. In 2006, they won the inaugural WBC event.
Japan got up early in this ballgame but could never put South Korea …read more

Japan won the initial World Baseball Classic in 2006. On Monday, they will try to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic after defeating the United States on Sunday night by a final score of 9-4 to advance to the championship game.
The night started off well for the U.S. as they scored in the top of the first inning. After Japan tied it at one, the United States went up 2-1 on a David Wright RBI double in the third inning.
However, the wheels came off for the U.S. in the bottom of the fourth. Facing starter Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five …read more

An underdog against the powerful lineup of Venezuela, South Korea quickly showed that they weren’t intimidated. Sprinting to a 7-0 lead after two innings, South Korea easily held on to win by a final score of 10-2.
South Korea’s lone Major League Baseball player provided the big hit in the first inning. Choo Shin-Soo of the Cleveland Indians hit a three-run shot off of Venezuelan starter Carlos Silva.
On the mound, South Korea got a huge performance from Yoon Suk-Min. Only 22-years-old, Yoon gave up only two earned runs, seven hits and one walk in 6.1 innings, while striking out four batters. …read more

For their semifinal game against Japan, the United States will put the ball in Roy Oswalt’s hand. In his last outing, Oswalt delivered four shutout innings against the Netherlands in a must-win game.
Facing another must-win game, the US is going back to the pitcher who is regarded by many as the best big game starter on the roster. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros.
Although Japan hasn’t officially named their starter, most followers expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to get the start. Last year with the Boston Red Sox, Matsuzaka had an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA.
The …read more

The United States has had a rollercoaster past two days in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday, the US rallied in the ninth inning to beat Puerto Rico and avoid elimination. On Wednesday, the United States got beat handily by Venezuela.
The hero on Tuesday night was David Wright. Down by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Wright hit a single that scored two runs to give their 6-5 margin of victory. With the loss, Puerto Rico was eliminated. Oddly enough, the last time Puerto Rico and the US met, Puerto Rico won that game 11-1.
On Wednesday, Venezuela …read more

Here’s a look at the standings for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. While it’s not much of a surprise that Cuba and Puerto Rico are undefeated, it is surprising that teams like the United States and Japan have a loss. And it’s very surprising that the Dominican Republic is eliminated.
POOL A
Korea (3-1)
Japan (2-1)
China (1-2)
Taipei (0-2)
POOL B
Cuba (3-0)
Mexico (2-2)
Australia (1-2)
South Africa (0-2)
POOL C
Venezuela (3-1)
United States (2-1)
Italy (1-2)
Canada (0-2)
POOL D
Puerto Rico (3-0)
Netherlands (2-2)
Dominican Republic (1-2)
Panama (0-2)
Next up is the second round of the World Baseball Classic 2009.

On Sunday, there were five games on the 2009 World Baseball Classic schedule. The first game saw Cuba hit six long balls on their way to beating South Africa 8-1. Then the Dominican Republic bounced back from their stunning defeat against the Netherland to beat Panama by a final score of 9-0.
The United States advanced to the second round by beating Venezuela by a final tally of 15-6. Australia demolished Mexico 17-7, while Korea stomped China 14-0.
On Monday, Mexico beat South Africa easily. Korea surprised Japan by a final score of 1-0. In a 6-2 ballgame, Italy was able to …read more

Although the Korea has only one player (Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians) on their roster who currently plays in the MLB, they are a team that no other country is overlooking in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. They play very fundamental baseball and are very disciplined. Although their 2009 WBC schedule is difficult, they could be the surprise team of the tournament.
Here’s a look at the Korean roster for the World Baseball Classic 2009.
Bong, Jung – Pitcher
Choi, Jeong – Infielder
Chong, Taehyon – Pitcher
Choo, Shin-Soo – Outfielder
Hwang, Doosung – Pitcher
Jang, Wonsam – Pitcher
Jeong, Keun-Woo – Infielder
Jong, Hyun Wook – Pitcher
Kang, …read more

The first round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic takes place from March 5th to March 12th. During that week, four different pools will play games in four different countries. The entire WBC 2009 runs until a champion is crowned on March 23rd.
Here is a look at the schedule for the World Baseball Classic 2009:
Pool A First Round in Tokyo, Japan
Game 1 – China vs. Japan
Game 2 – Chinese Tapei vs. Korea
Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser
Game …read more