Clásico Mundial de Béisbol 2009

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks while in a batting stance during a news conference at Japan National Press Club in Tokyo Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Chavez said Venezuela would win the next World Baseball Classic (WBC) championships by beating champion Japan. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

AP

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 4: Players from the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies that participated in the World Baseball Classic pose for a photograph before the game on April 4, 2009 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rays won 9-7. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

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TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 27: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso wears a World Baseball Classic (WBC) championship cap presented by Team Manager of Japan's WBC squad Tatsunori Hara at Aso's official residence on March 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kazuhiro Nogi-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taro Aso

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TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 27: Team manager of Japan's World Baseball Classic (WBC) squad Tatsunori Hara (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pose for a photo at Aso's official residence on March 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kazuhiro Nogi-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tatsunori Hara;Taro Aso

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: South Korean fans react while watching the World Baseball Classic championship game between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: South Korean fans react while watching the World Baseball Classic championship game between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: A South Korean fan reacts while watching the World Baseball Classic championship final between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: South Korean fans watch the World Baseball Classic championship final between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: A young South Korean fan reacts while watching the World Baseball Classic championship final between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 24: A South Korean fan reacts while watching the World Baseball Classic championship game between Japan and Korea screened at Chamsil Stadium on March 24, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

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Team Japan pitcher Yu Darvish sits with teammates during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, California March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Team Japan's Munenori Kawasaki (L) and Norichika Aoki interact during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, California March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Ichiro Suzuki of Team Japan kneels in right field during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Pitcher Hideaki Wakui (L) and Tetsuya Yamaguchi of Team Japan stand on the pitchers mound during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of Team Japan throws the ball during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of Team Japan walks on the field during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL HEADSHOT)

Reuters

Ichiro Suzuki of Team Japan fields a ground ball in right field during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, California March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Team Japan players including pitchers Yu Darvish (C - On Mound) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) gather on the pitching mound during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Ichiro Suzuki of Team Japan looks up from right field during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, California March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Ichiro Suzuki of Team Japan throws the ball from right field during a workout for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, California March 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) shakes hands with Higinio Velez, headcoach of Cuba's national baseball team, upon the team's arrival from the World Baseball Classic, in Havana March 20, 2009. World Baseball Classic champion Japan advanced to the semi-finals with a 5-0 win over Cuba on Wednesday that eliminated the Caribbean power and consigned them to their worst finish in more than 50 years. REUTERS/AIN-Omara Garcia Mederos/Handout (CUBA POLITICS SPORT BASEBALL)

Reuters

SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Yoennis Cespedes #51 of Cuba runs to third base after hitting into the corner of the outfield againts Japan during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yoennis Cespedes

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18:(L-R) Toshiya Sugiuchi #47, Hiroyuki Nakajima #6, Yasuyuki Kataoka #7, Shuichi Murata #25 and Kenji Johjima #2 of Japan celebrate after defeating Cuba 5-0 during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toshiya Sugiuchi;Hiroyuki Nakajima;Yasuyuki Kataoka;Shuichi Murata;Kenji Johjima

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of Japan steps into the batter's box against Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Japan defeats Cuba 5-0. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ichiro Suzuki

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18:Japanese relief pitcher Toshiya Sugiuchi #47 celebrates with teammate Shuichi Murata #25 after defeating Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Japan defeats Cuba 5-0. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toshiya Sugiuchi;Shuichi Murata

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Kenji Johjima #2 of Japan congratulates starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma #20 after he leaves the game without giving up a run against Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenji Johjima;Hisashi Iwakuma

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of Japan celebrates with his teammates Shuichi Murata #25, Toshiya Sugiuchi #47 and Yasuyuki Kataoka #7 after winning against Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Japan defeats Cuba 5-0. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ichiro Suzuki;Shuichi Murata;Toshiya Sugiuchi;Yasuyuki Kataoka

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Yasuyuki Kataoka #7 of Japan slides safely into second base after Cuban shortstop Eduardo Paret #2 and Hector Olivera Amaro #28 miss the ball thrown from home during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yasuyuki Kataoka;Eduardo Paret;Hector Olivera

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Kenji Johjima #2 of Japan congratulates starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma #20 after he leaves the game without giving up a run against Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenji Johjima;Hisashi Iwakuma

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 18: Toshiya Sugiuchi #47 of Japan pitches in the final inning against Cuba during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 5 on March 18, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Japan defeats Cuba 5-0. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toshiya Sugiuchi

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