Who would you favor?

WildBill · Aug 15, 2004

Last night during the bachelor party I went to, a few of us got into discussing these questions:

If they do have the World Cup of baseball or whatever they will call it, with all the pro players participating for their home country, and it came down to one game, what lines would you put on these matchups?

1. US vs. Dominican Republic

This would be my guess at the DR starting lineup by position. Personally I would have to say pretty strong favorites over the US as this lineup is seriously loaded. My friends patriotically disagreed!

Olivo
Ortiz
Soriano
Tejada
Pujols
Manny
Guerrero
Sosa
Martinez to start
Dotel and Cordero to close

2. Japan vs. Venezuela

3. Mexico vs. South Korea

4. Cuba vs. Puerto Rico

HuckFinn · Aug 15, 2004

ESPN Magazine back in March or early April had a great section on this subject with teams players/positions. I'll have to dig around for it.

Woody0 · Aug 15, 2004

How very tactful of you not to list:

5. USA vs. Cuba

a match I would certainly be interested in seeing.

KeithRichard · Aug 15, 2004

Manny is a U.S. citizen now. Can he still play for the D.R.?

WildBill · Aug 15, 2004

You can play for any country you have been a citizen of as long as you didn't play for another one in international competition.

I didn't list US vs. Cuba because Puerto Rico is a fairer match for them. Despite all their amateur success, I don't think Cuban born players could quite match up to the US or DR.