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 Yankees, Ponson was 8-5 with a 5.04 ERA.

Ponson isn’t the first big league player to have busted at the WBC. Recently, Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana. Soto played in the WBC for Puerto Rico. Since the positive drug test, Soto has apologized. Like Ponson, Soto won’t be suspended by the MLB.

Sidney Ponson - WBC Netherlands (Image: Zuma Press)

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This offseason has been an extremely busy time for Ichiro. Playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for Japan, he had the entire pressure of the country on him to bring home back-to-back WBC titles. Thanks to Ichiro’s game-winning hit, he was able to do just that.

Ichiro's Heroic Hit for Japan (Image: newscom)

Although he didn’t get many swings in during spring training, Ichiro hit .417. After missing the final three spring training games, doctors found that the problem was a bleeding ulcer.

Last year the Mariners massively underperformed, however Ichiro wasn’t part of the problem. He hit .310 with six homers, 42 RBIs and finished with more than 100 runs, 200 hits and a batting average of better than .300 for the eighth consecutive season in his career.

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In the WBC, Williams played in four games and had a total of seven at-bats. Although he didn’t get a hit, he was able to draw a pair of walks. Despite impressive victories early in the tournament, including a 11-1 victory over the United States, Puerto Rico ended up bowing out in the second round.

When he retired, Williams was the all-time leader in baseball history in many postseason stats including games, RBIs, doubles and extra-base hits. He also ranks in the top ten in Yankees history in a number of statistics including RBIs, doubles, hits, walks, extra-base hits and homers.

In his life after baseball, the native of San Juan, Puerto Rico has become a jazz musician. His latest album, entitled Moving Forward, will drop on April 14th and features artists such as Jon Secada, Dave Koz, Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen.

Here is a video of Bernie Williams performing with the Allman Brothers:

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Ichiro a Hero for Japan (Image: Newscom)

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 away. After gaining a 1-0 lead, South Korea tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Japan scored once in the top of the seventh and top of the eighth, however South Korea forced extra innings by scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth and the bottom of the ninth.

Ichiro’s big hit came with runners on second and third for Japan. The hit was Ichiro’s fourth of the game in six at-bats. Now Ichiro gets to go to Japan as a hero and a two-time World Baseball Classic champion.

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Akinori Iwamura Bats for Japan (Image: Newscom)

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 times to go up 6-2 and they would never look back.

Getting the win for Japan was Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka, who was the MVP of the 2006 WBC, remains undefeated in WBC play. His ERA for this year’s event stands at 2.45 after he gave up two earned runs in 4.2 innings.

In the championship game, Japan will face South Korea after South Korea defeated Venezuela on Saturday.

The 2009 World Baseball classic championship will take place at 9:30 PM EST at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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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.

Choo Shin-Soo Celebrates First Inning Blast (Image: Newscom)

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. His ERA during the 2009 World Baseball Classic is a sparkling 1.12.

International success isn’t a foreign concept to South Korea. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, they were able to win the gold medal in baseball.

Now South Korea will play the winner of the United States versus Japan matchup for the championship of the World Baseball Classic. Roy Oswalt will get the start for the U.S. and Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for Japan in the game that is to be played on Sunday.

The championship game will take place on Monday in Dodger Stadium.

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Roy Oswalt, World Baseball Classic 2009 (Image: Newscom)

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 winner of the USA versus Japan will face the winner of Korea versus Venezuela. The championship game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic will take place on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Japan won the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 and Matsuzaka was named the Most Valuable Player of the WBC.

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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 remained on fire. In the bottom of the sixth, Venezuela scored three times to extend their one-run lead to a 10-6 advantage. After a scoreless final three innings, Venezuela had completed their upset.

Despite the loss, the United States has successfully qualified for the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Gerardo Parra of Venezuela - Source: Newscom

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Carlos Beltran and Felipe Lopez hit homeruns for Puerto Rico, while Carlos Delgado had two RBIs and Ivan Rodriguez had three hits. Puerto Rico remains undefeated in the 2009 WBC.

American starting pitcher Jake Peavy got rocked in his two innings of work. He allowed six hits, six homeruns and only struck out one batter. At the plate, the United States only got six hits.

Next up on the WBC schedule, the Americans will play the Netherlands. The loser of that game will be eliminated from the World Baseball Classic 2009.

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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.

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