Johnson boldly boosts USA as top World Baseball Classic team

Paul White Usatoday 03/02/2009 21:52

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Team USA manager Davey Johnson calls his entry in the World Baseball Classic the "team to beat."

He repeated the boast Monday before the team's first workout, and an expert in such statements thinks it's just fine.

"Why not?" said Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who fueled a National League East rivalry with the New York Mets when he made a similar statement before the 2007 season. "The target's on our back anyway."

WBC ROSTER: Team USA

Though the USA didn't reach the semifinals of the first WBC in 2006, the players understand they're still the measuring stick for many of the other 15 teams in the tournament. They'll get a firsthand taste right away when they face Canada in their opening game Saturday in Toronto. Ticket sales are already about 40,000.

"They're setting the stage," said USA outfielder Curtis Granderson of the Detroit Tigers, "for the first game to be the biggest game."

The first round is in four-team groups, with the top two teams advancing. Venezuela and Italy also are in the Toronto group.

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