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Derek Jeter gave a nod to Davey Johnson on Wednesday, saying that he hoped appearing at a press conference at the Winter Meetings promoting the upcoming World Baseball Classic would assure his selection to Team USA next year. "I thought by coming here I might have a pretty good chance of making the team, especially sitting next to Davey," said Jeter, who was at a table filled with Major League and Players Association dignitaries. "So, I hope it worked."
Johnson, the team's manager, took the ribbing in stride. Jeter, the Yankees' shortstop and captain, is not only on the squad for the second time in Classic play, but he's evidently the face of that team.
"I don't want to put that much pressure on him, he's a great player," said Johnson, who managed Team USA to a bronze medal during this past Summer Olympics in Beijing. "He leads by example. He really enjoys the game. He shows all that just in the way he goes about it. He leads by performance."
The Classic -- an event featuring 16 teams in four pools -- will be played March 5-23, with the first round taking place in four countries and the tournament concluding with the semifinals and finals taking place in Dodger Stadium.
Now, Johnson and USA Baseball have to build the rest of the team around Jeter. And Johnson mentioned one player in particular who he'd like to have: American League MVP-winning Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
Jeter, as always, was a significant force in 2006 when the World Baseball Classic was launched. But his Team USA, which included Alex Rodriguez, Jason Varitek and Roger Clemens, didn't make it past the second round and was 3-3 in the tournament.
Japan won the inaugural championship, ultimately defeating Cuba in the finals at San Diego's PETCO Park.
This time around, A-Rod says he's playing for the Dominican Republic, which a player has the right to do if one of his parents is a native of that country. In 2006, Mike Piazza played for Italy. The Yanks third baseman and the now retired catcher, though, are both U.S. citizens.
"I have not spoken to [Rodriguez] about it," Jeter said. "To be honest with you, I didn't know you could do it. Everyone is learning the rules, and that's an option he has. He has his reasons for doing that, and that's a great option for him. And whatever team he plays for, he's going to help."
The first time around, no one knew what to expect and preparation was not at its best. Early Spring Training reporting dates for Major League players engaged in the Classic were voluntary.
After a few days of workouts at Chase Field in Phoenix and an exhibition game against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, the U.S. opened and had trouble emerging from the first round, needing a high-scoring victory over South Africa to do so under the then rules of the tournament.
Ultimately, U.S. hitters complained about not having their bearings yet. But Jeter wasn't among them. In the six games, he hit .450 (9-for-20) with a triple, an RBI, five runs scored and a .522 on-base percentage.
Jeter said that early doubt changed to exhilaration as the tournament went on.
"I think when the World Baseball Classic first started, there was a lot of skepticism, especially on behalf of the players," he said. "No one knew if it was going to work, and no one knew if they wanted to play and if it would take away from the season and Spring Training.
"Then when we had the opportunity to get on the field, every player, to a man, was so excited to represent that country. Obviously, I have not had an opportunity to represent our team in the Olympics, and this is the closest I'll ever get. But there is a lot of pride there."
This time, there seems to be no skepticism. Over 600 have applied to play for the 16 competing teams, and there are mandatory reporting dates to Spring Training camps for all MLB-affiliated players participating: Feb. 14 for pitchers and catchers and Feb. 17 for position players.
Jeter and the rest of what could be a 28-man roster will report as a squad under Johnson on March 2 in Clearwater, Fla., the spring home of the defending World Series champion Phillies. The American's first game in the tournament is on March 7 against Canada at Toronto's Rogers Centre.
In between, the U.S. will play the Yankees in St. Petersburg on March 3, the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla., on March 4 and the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., on March 5.
The Yanks open their exhibition schedule on Feb. 25, almost a full week before the U.S. opens camp. And that's typical of the entire spring schedule.
The extra preparation time will be useful, Jeter said.
"Any time you can get going a little bit earlier I think it's only going to help," Jeter said. "I think it's a great thing that you can get going and organized a little bit earlier."
Johnson, whose 14-year big league managerial career with the Mets, Reds, Orioles and Dodgers includes the famous 1986 seven-game World Series victory of the Mets over the Red Sox, said he can't wait to get going.
His dreams at night are filled with the great players at every position he can count on to surround Jeter.
"The main thing is to get a fit," Johnson said.
And by the way, in case you were wondering, Jeter has made the team.
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