Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins Named to Team USA for 2013 World Baseball Classic

As understandable as it is that people might be reticent to support the decision of certain players to participate in the World Baseball Classic, it's easy to have respect for those players. You don't even have to compare it to the Olympics. If you watch the World Cup of soccer, or rugby's Six Nations tournament, it's impossible to not get caught up in the hype and the pride that comes along with representing your country.

Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins have to be experiencing some of that pride tonight after being officially announced as members of Team USA. It's doubly nice for WBC fans in Minnesota since both players are home grown.

Here is the roster as listed at present, to be managed by Joe Torre.

Starting Pitchers (4)

• R.A. Dickey
• Derek Holland
• Kris Medlen
• Ryan Vogelsong

Relief Pitchers (10)

• Craig Kimbrel
• Jeremy Affeldt
• Heath Bell
• Mitchell Boggs
• Steve Cishek
• Tim Collins
• Luke Gregerson
• Chris Perez
• Glen Perkins
• Vinnie Pestano

Catchers (3)

• Joe Mauer
• J.P. Arencibia
• Jonathan Lucroy

Infielders (6)

• Mark Teixeira
• Brandon Phillips
• Jimmy Rollins
• David Wright
• Ben Zobrist
• Willie Bloomquist

Outfielders (4)

• Ryan Braun
• Adam Jones
• Giancarlo Stanton
• Shane Victorino

Congratulations to both Mauer and Perkins. Stay healthy, boys, get ready for the season, and bring home a champtionship for USA.