Clásico Mundial: Cuba

Clásico Mundial: Cuba

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)

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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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