Classic creates gripping Sox plotlines
Big Papi vs. Dice-K just one of many intriguing tournament matchups
be on opposite sides come Classic time.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:02:00 AM
For instance, how about the Dominican's David Ortiz digging in against Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka, with national pride on the line for both the slugger and the right-hander?
"I'm going to take Dice-K deep for sure," Ortiz said. "That will be funny. That will be crazy."
But Youkilis sounds as if he can put together a much more detailed plan against Matsuzaka, who was the Most Valuable Player in that 2006 Classic.
"With Daisuke, I've got a plan for what I can do against him," said Youkilis.
And what would that plan be?
"I'm not going to give my secrets out," Youkilis said.
From a Red Sox standpoint, the potential matchup that could be the most enjoyable to watch? Team USA against the Dominican. That could happen in Round 2, when the advancing teams from Pool C and D meet up in Miami.
What if the imposing Ortiz has to break up a double play and there is little Pedroia standing in his way?
"That will be a lot of [trash talk] coming from second base," Ortiz said. "I know that for sure. But yeah, it's just competition, and everybody is doing it for their country and that's what people look forward to seeing -- the players from their countries representing their teams, things like that. It's fun."
With Youkilis and Pedroia together on the right side of the diamond, Ortiz might want to wear earmuffs when he digs in.
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jason Bay, who is again representing Canada in the World Baseball Classic, would love nothing more than to stun Team USA when the squads meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. But Dustin Pedroia, who didn't participate in the inaugural tournament three years ago when the U.S. fell to Canada, has already told Bay not to bother planning on another upset special.
"He told me to pack one pair of underwear," said Bay.
It is that type of good-natured banter that will be on display between the six Red Sox players who -- aside from Kevin Youkilis and Pedroia -- will play on different sides in the Classic.
Rest assured that Bay took no offense to Pedroia's barbs. It is that type of give and take that makes the international showcase event even more enjoyable to those involved.
"No, that's half the reason you do this," Bay said. "It's kind of the bragging rights. Last time, we didn't get out of the first round, but we beat the U.S., and it probably meant more to our program than if we had won the whole thing, so stuff like that goes a long way. Leave it to [Pedroia]. I mean, definitely, if there's trash to be talked about anything, this is big for him."
The dynamic that has been created from a Red Sox perspective is particularly compelling, given some of the possible matchups.
For instance, how about the Dominican's David Ortiz digging in against Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka, with national pride on the line for both the slugger and the right-hander?
"I'm going to take Dice-K deep for sure," Ortiz said. "That will be funny. That will be crazy."
But Youkilis sounds as if he can put together a much more detailed plan against Matsuzaka, who was the Most Valuable Player in that 2006 Classic.
"With Daisuke, I've got a plan for what I can do against him," said Youkilis.
And what would that plan be?
"I'm not going to give my secrets out," Youkilis said.
From a Red Sox standpoint, the potential matchup that could be the most enjoyable to watch? Team USA against the Dominican. That could happen in Round 2, when the advancing teams from Pool C and D meet up in Miami.
What if the imposing Ortiz has to break up a double play and there is little Pedroia standing in his way?
"That will be a lot of [trash talk] coming from second base," Ortiz said. "I know that for sure. But yeah, it's just competition, and everybody is doing it for their country and that's what people look forward to seeing -- the players from their countries representing their teams, things like that. It's fun."
With Youkilis and Pedroia together on the right side of the diamond, Ortiz might want to wear earmuffs when he digs in.
"We'll probably be talking trash to each other the entire time," said Youkilis. "Pedey and I, if we get to play David, we'll bury him the whole time."
It is fitting that Pedroia and Youkilis will experience their first Classic together. It was that way last year when they were both named to the American League All-Star team for the first time. And the two of them became Most Valuable Player candidates in unison during 2008 as well, with Pedroia winning the award and Youkilis finishing third. They also signed contract extensions to remain with the Red Sox within weeks of each other during the offseason. And yes, they spent the winter training together in Tempe, Ariz.
Now, they get ready to experience another first together.
"I'm excited. I'm sure Youk is, too," Pedroia said. "It's going to be a fun experience for both of us. We're going to play a meaningful game right away, and I don't know about Youk, but I'm extremely excited about that. Spring Training games, I know you're working on stuff, but winning and losing is not the biggest thing, and that's tough for players like me and Youk."
In yet another neat Red Sox twist, Ortiz, during the Classic, will have a chance to call Pedro Martinez a teammate for the first time since they celebrated at Busch Stadium after clinching Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
"It will be good," said Ortiz. "We worked out a little bit together back home. We stayed in touch."
Martinez, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, is using the Classic to audition for a job.
"He's going to use this opportunity to show that he can still pitch, and I'm pretty sure somebody is going to make a move afterwards," Ortiz said. "When we were training in the Dominican, he was looking really good."
On Sunday, all six Classic-bound players from the Red Sox left Spring Training and reported to their respective camps. Pedroia is already revved up to take the field against Canada in a game that means something.
"I just kind of want to get out there and play against Canada," Pedroia said. "[I want to] beat up on Jason Bay a little bit."