ARod commits to Dominican team

Yankees slugger played for U.S. squad in 2006 Classic

By Bryan Hoch/MLB.com

Alex Rodriguez played for the U.S. team last year. (AP)

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez is ready to see the World Baseball Classic from another viewpoint, as the three-time MVP said Saturday that he will switch uniforms and represent the Dominican Republic.

A-Rod made the announcement while playing at a charity golf tournament hosted by Red Sox slugger David Ortiz in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

"I am 100 percent sure that I will play for the Dominican Republic team," Rodriguez said, according to The Associated Press. "This time, there will be no doubts, and it is a dream of my mom's that I intend to fulfill."

Rodriguez was a member of the star-studded 2006 United States roster, which did not advance to the semifinals in the inaugural Classic tournament. Now, he will join a Dominican Republic roster that turned in a disappointing third-place finish behind Japan and Cuba.

"I think we have a good team and the possibility of winning because we have lots of quality material for the Classic," Rodriguez said.

Even deciding a place on the roster was no simple task for Rodriguez, who claims dual citizenship. The son of Dominican parents, Rodriguez was born in New York in 1975, but resided in the Dominican Republic for a three-year period beginning in 1979.

Rodriguez moved from Santo Domingo back to the United States at age 8, moving with his family to Miami.

He remained there, becoming a standout athlete at Westminster Christian High School and the No. 1 Draft selection of the Mariners in 1993, but played with the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Republic's Winter League before reaching the Majors.

"It will be a very special day for me and my family to see me play again with a Dominican uniform," Rodriguez said.

Originally stating in interviews that he was "leaning" toward playing for the Dominican Republic in the first Classic, Rodriguez found that he was unable to come to a decision that would satisfy supporters on both sides. In December 2005, Rodriguez stated that he would not play for either team.

"When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either," Rodriguez said at the time.

But following lobbying on the part of Major League Baseball and union officials, Rodriguez changed his stance in January 2006. His name was added to the U.S. provisional roster hours before the official deadline for submission.

"Following dialogue with caring friends and players, both Dominican and American, I reached the conclusion that if I played in the Classic, I would play for the United States and honor my American citizenship," Rodriguez said then in a statement published on his Web site, AROD.com.

The 2009 Classic will involve 16 countries and is scheduled to begin on March 5, with first-round action in Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto and San Juan.