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Home , 2003 Japan Series, 2006 World Series, Adam Loewen, Chris Carpenter, Esteban Loaiza, Ferguson Jenkins

THE OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER OF MAJOR LEAGUE # FALL 2006

International Stars Lead Way ALDO NOTARI In Race for 1932-2006 HE INTERNATIONAL T baseball community lost a great member this year when Aldo Notari, President of WANG SANTANA LOAIZA the International Baseball Feder- ation (IBAF), passed away on Tuesday, July 25 in Parma, Italy. Notari began his baseball career as a second baseman and for the Tanara Parma club. In the early 1970’s, he made the transition from player to baseball executive and won his first Italian League Championship BELTRAN PUJOLS SAITO in 1976 as president of the Germal Parma club. Elected President of both the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) and the Euro- pean Baseball Confederation (CEB), in 1993 he became the first European elected President of the IBAF, a post he NCE AGAIN THE Minnesota’s left-hander is running held until his death. (MLB) race for October is frantic, with less away with the crown; Carlos Guillen Aldo Notari worked tirelessly than a month of the 2006 regular re- and right fielder Magglio Ordonez are providing the clutch for the development of baseball O maining, more than half the teams were in hits for ; and Ozzie Guillen has his White throughout the world, most contention for a postseason birth. More than ever, base- Sox in the middle of things once again. recently in the organization of ball’s international superstars have been key players The continue to lead the AL West, the inaugural World Baseball in this intense competition. The following is a glimpse with -native posting a 1.48 ERA and Classic. His presence will be at the stars and their teams fighting to notching four wins in the month of August. sorely missed, but his legacy to make the postseason: The veteran Loaiza joins , Dan the game will remain as baseball The , anchored of- Haren and to form one of the continues to become a truly fensively by captain and on best pitching rotations in the AL. global sport. the mound by Chien-Ming Wang The have one of their and , are headed to their best teams in club history, sending a fran- twelfth straight postseason appearance. chise-record six players to the All-Star Born in Taiwan, Wang has emerged as one Game this year: Carlos Beltran, Paul Lo of the game’s best pitchers this season, consistently Duca, Jose Reyes, David Wright and pitchers among the league leaders in wins. A future Hall-of- and Pedro Martínez. Beltran (), Reyes and Famer from Panama, Rivera continues to shine for the Martinez (both of the Dominican Republic) were three Yankees, racking up his 400th career in 2006. of 24 foreign-born All-Stars in 2006. Beltran and Reyes, The , and defending near the top of the league in almost every offensive cat- World Champion White Sox are in a heated egory, are strong candidates for MVP. race for dominance in the AL Central. All-Stars from Despite an injury-plagued season, the St. Louis Car- Venezuela are driving all three teams in their quests. dinals have managed to hold onto the lead in the NL Cen- NOTARI GETTY IMAGES (7) Continued on Page 2 1 MLB Around the World Continued from cover FROM EAST TO tral. The Cards are led by and portunities. A four-time All-Star in , the WEST, FANS SEE at the plate and 2005 36-year-old rookie has fulfilled a life-long dream ‘CLASSIC’ DISPLAYS Award winner on the mound. of playing in America. The Dodgers are seek- With his sixth-straight 30-home , 100- ing their first NL in nearly 20 years, RBI season, the Dominican-born Pujols is while the Padres are looking for a repeat of their in contention for his second NL MVP award. 2005 division crown. The Dodgers and With so many teams in contention, base- Padres are in an exciting race for the NL ball fans across the world are in for an excit- West. Los Angeles has held the lead for the ing finish. majority of the second half, with The 2006 Commissioner’s Trophy will be presented to almost perfect in save op- the new World Champions in late October.

TOKYO GAME RETAILERS FEATURE ALL-STAR THE HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETI- ETAILERS THROUGHOUT JAPAN AND TAIWAN TOOK ADVANTAGE tion throughout the World of the excitement surrounding Major League Baseball’s 77th annual Mid- Baseball Classic demonstrated R summer Classic with giveaway promotions leading up to the event. how global the game has Sports Authority continued their tradition of supporting the All-Star Game become. Nowhere is this more by giving two lucky baseball fans the prize of a lifetime: a trip to and apparent than in Japan, home tickets to all of the All-Star festivities. In addition, five stadium shops in Japan of the Champion Team of the as well as Prospark, a sports specialty retailer, gave customers the opportuni- inaugural tournament and the ty to enter a special campaign to win such prizes as Majestic event T-shirts, Baseball Hall of Fame and Wincraft pennants, and Aminco key chains. Museum in , where atten- Pegasus, MLB’s apparel licensee in Taiwan, held retail promotions through- dance soared over 40,000 this out the country to augment growing fan interest in MLB, including a game where consumers matched players March and April, an unheard of with their current teams in an effort to introduce all 30 MLB clubs and their star players to the Taiwan public. number and, according to the Secretary General of the muse- um Fujio Kobayashi, “solely due MLB All-Stars cross the Pacific to the .”

HIS NOVEMBER, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, and Sadaharu Nippon and Yomiuri Shim- Oh shake hands T bun will once again host the AEON MLB All- after the 2004 Star Series (AEON Nichibei Yakyu) in Tokyo, Osaka and All-Star Series. Fukuoka. Japanese players and have already signed on to represent MLB’s All- Star squad. Joining them are Phillies and , Minnesota Twin Johan San- tana, New York Mets David Wright and Jose Reyes, and Brave , among others. Japan’s COOPERSTOWN squad will be selected by both the fans and team man- ager, Katsuya Nomura, similar to the way that MLB’s In addition, the National All-Star rosters are determined each summer. Baseball Hall of Fame and : COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL FAME LIBRARY, COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK. Coming on the heels of Japan’s win in the inaugu- 2006 JAPAN ALL-STAR SERIES Museum in Cooperstown, New ral World Baseball Classic, AEON Nichibei Yakyu prom- NOV 2 MLB All-Stars vs. York is currently displaying an NOV 3 MLB All-Stars vs. NPB All-Stars ises to be even more competitive this year. “[MLB exhibit on the history of interna-

NOV 4 MLB All-Stars vs. NPB All-Stars PLANET BASEBALL players] did not like the fact that Japan won the first tional baseball called Planet NOV 5 MLB All-Stars vs. NPB All-Stars World Baseball Classic,” said Jim Small, Managing Di- NOV 7 MLB All-Stars vs. NPB All-Stars Baseball, prominently featuring rector of MLB Japan. “We intend to show that MLB is NOV 8 MLB All-Stars vs. NPB All-Stars treasures from the inaugural still the best baseball in the world.” tournament. OH: GETTY IMAGES; PLAYER NATIONALITIES ARIZONA BALTIMORE DIAMONDBACKS Australia, , ORIOLES RED SOX Canada, Cuba, Dominican , Cuba, Canada, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Curacao, Dominican Dominican Republic, Puerto , Dominican Rep., Republic, Mexico, Republic, Puerto Rico, South Venezuela Mexico, United Panama, United Rico, United Korea, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela States, States, 2 States, Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela MLB Sponsorship PRESIDENTE TESTS FANS’ SKILLS Bungee Baseball by Pepsi Takes Off! PRESIDENTE, THE OFFICIAL beer of Major League Baseball in XTENDING THEIR LONGTIME MARKETING PARTNERSHIP the Dominican Republic, will once in Latin America and the Caribbean through the 2008 again be sending MLB fans on an E season, Pepsi will continue to be the official soft drink all-expense paid trip to the 2006 of Major League Baseball in the region. To leverage this rela- as part of a tionship, Pepsi has created a pan-regional advertising cam- nationwide baseball skills paign focusing on three of MLB’s most recognizable Latin competition. Presidente will American stars: of the New York Yankees, Carlos travel to various restaurants and Delgado of the New York Mets (pictured right) and of the . These players will act as the centerpiece supermarkets in branded trucks for MLB-Pepsi promotions and will appear on Pepsi products and trailers to tests fans’ abilities. and their own commercials. Participants will be eligible to win a trip for two to the World Series, MLB PLAYS BALL WITH CHICKEN LITTLE MLB team uniforms and t-shirts and Presidente products. The THIS SUMMER, MLB, BASEBALLSOFTBALLUK AND DISNEY PARTNERED promotion will run for one month up to help launch the DVD version of the animated feature Chicken Little. The throughout the country leading up partnership included five innovative MLB Roadshow events and a public relations to the . campaign to raise awareness of the events throughout the United Kingdom. With over 10,000 children participating, the Roadshow traveled to the key devel- opment regions of Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and London. The Chicken Little Play Ball! Challenge was designed to introduce chil- dren to essential baseball techniques in a fun and engaging way while en- couraging parent-child interaction. Young people participated in various skill component competitions, including: tee ball hitting, “Power ,” “Slip and CERVEZA PACIFICO Slide,” base-running, fly ball catch and a “Design-a-Uniform” competition. Partnering with a youth sports program was new ground for Disney in the WANTS FANS TO United Kingdom and represented a continuation of MLB’s partnership with “POP THE CAP” BaseballSoftballUK. AS THE OFFICIAL BEER OF MLB in Mexico, Cerveza Pacifico will run the largest promotion to date in Mexico for an MLB spon- Live the Game! with Gatorade sor, lasting from September 1st through October 13th and pro- TG CANADA (QUAKER/TROPICANA/GATORADE) One prize was awarded every month for six months. viding fans the opportunity to launched its “Live the Game! Sports Experi- In August, a trip for two to included the op- win authentic MLB merchandise Q ences” promotion in portunity to throw out the first and prizes, including 20 all April, offering six adventure prizes pitch at a expense paid trips to the 2006 to consumers in Canada. In con- game and on-field access for World Series. All Cerveza junction with Sobeys Inc., the batting practice. Fulfillment Pacifico product bearing the largest grocery retailer in Canada, for this event was handled by MLB brand afford fans the promotional signage and entry the Toronto Blue Jays. The chance to “pop the cap” to forms were positioned at the second MLB themed prize is reveal if they have won. Sobeys and IGA branded stores a trip for two to the 2006 throughout Ontario (approxi- World Series. New York Yan- mately 180 stores). Gatorade kee Derek Jeter, a Gatorade merchandising racks were endorsed athlete, was promi- equipped with promotional headers, pallet toppers and nently featured in the campaign to support the World pole signs in-store from April 1 through September 30. Series component. PLAYER NATIONALITIES CHICAGO COLORADO DETROIT TIGERS WHITE SOX Australia, Canada, INDIANS ROCKIES Dominican Cuba, Dominican Dominican Borneo, Dominican Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Republic, Japan, Republic, Mexico, Republic, Puerto Republic, Japan, Rico, United Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, South Rico, South Korea, Mexico, Panama, States, Venezuela United States, Korea, United United States, South Korea, Venezuela States, Venezuela Venezuela Taiwan, United States, Venezuela 3 MLB Licensing & Retail MLB IN EUROPE A NEW PLAN HAS BEEN Konami & MLB Reach developed in Europe in an effort to better market the Record Numbers MLB brand. The marketing plan features the tagline, ONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD., THE PUB- “Stories from the Field,” with lisher and developer of Japan’s most popular baseball the theme “It doesn’t matter K video games, the “Pawapuro” series, released its first Ma- what you play. It doesn’t jor League Baseball video game “Jikkyou Pawafuru Major League” matter what field you’re in. on May 11th for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Game Cube. With MLB Whatever it is, wherever it is, more popular than ever in Japan, the game has become an instant play your best game.” success. The first stage of this As of early August 2006, the game had sold over 300,000 copies. project has been completed In fact, in the first week alone the two versions of “Jikkyou Pawa- and a new range of POS furu Major League” sold over 110,000 copies, which is more than materials has been devel- 12 times the first week sales’ figures of the second most popular oped based on the brand baseball video game. guide and image book, “I am delighted that we have been able to contribute to broadening the fan base of Major League Baseball in including posters, stickers Japan through our game ‘Jikkyou Pawafuru Major League.’ We would like to continue to communicate the great- and other sales tools. Next ness, fun, and spirit of Major League Baseball through digital entertainment,” says Kazuhiko Uehara, Executive steps include creation of a Producer of the Pawapuro series and Corporate and Creative Officer of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. new European hangtag, new labelling and packaging.

NEW LICENSEES

Belding Japan Co., Ltd., (1) An MLB collection of pre- mier golf-related merchandise, featuring both League and individual team logos, was launched this year. (2) These luxury golf bags range from $90-$180 at retail and will be sold at high-end golf specialty and de- partment stores in Japan.

Yanoman Corporation, (2) MLB and Yanoman have partnered to launch a series of 3-D puzzles to be launched in September in Japan. The first collection MAJESTIC will feature six MLB teams, with six 60-piece, three- inch diameter puzzles in the shape of a baseball. MOVIN’ ON UP MAJESTIC (1) (3) Creative Yoko Co., Ltd., (3) MLB’s new pet apparel li- Athletic firmly censee has opened a high-end pet specialty store called established “Hannari” inside Omotensado Hills, a new upscale their presence Tokyo shopping development. Their MLB collection in the Canadian marketplace has proven to be one of this store’s top-sellers. when they opened a new office in the heart of Toronto. Great Alps, (4) MLB’s bag licensee for the Taiwan mar- With an office entirely dedi- ket launched their first collection of fashion sports bags cated to the Canadian mar- this summer bearing the individual logos of several ketplace, Majestic will expand clubs. With the immense popularity of pitcher Chien- its retail reach, while provid- Ming Wang in Taiwan, popular celebrities are now reg- ing retailers and the Blue (4) ularly seen wearing MLB merchandise. Jays with speedy service.

PLAYER NATIONALITIES FLORIDA KANSAS CITY LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES MARLINS ASTROS ROYALS ANGELS OF DODGERS Dominican Dominican Australia, ANAHEIM Canada, Republic, Republic, United Dominican Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Mexico, United States, Republic, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Japan, States, Venezuela Puerto Rico, Republic, Puerto Mexico, Panama, Venezuela United States, Rico, United Taiwan, United 4 Venezuela States, Venezuela States, Venezuela MLB Broadcasting WANG’S WINS BOOST BROADCAST NASN is MLB’s Home Across Europe RATINGS IN TAIWAN

LB AND NASN (NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS program, “.” Network) reached a groundbreaking five- Amory B. Schwartz, co-founder and chief exec- M year, pan-European broadcast deal set to utive of NASN, said, “NASN is now the undisputed begin with the 2006 season. The first of its kind for home for Major League Baseball in Europe. This deal MLB in Europe, the agreement provides NASN with augments NASN’s programming content and ce- exclusive cable and satellite rights to televise more than ments the network’s place as the number one des- 275 games each season, from Spring tination for North American sports Training in March through the play- fans in Europe.” offs and World Series in October. NASN currently broadcasts IN ITS SECOND YEAR AS A NASN’s live coverage of MLB will con- throughout the United Kingdom, Ire- MLB broadcaster, Taiwan’s sist of up to 10 regular season games land, Germany, as well as Switzer- Public Television System (PTS) each week, as well as the entire Postseason. land, the , Belgium and Iceland. The continues to enjoy ratings suc- In addition, the agreement provides NASN with ad- network anticipates entering into several additional cess as a result of its extensive ditional premiere content rights. Among these are European markets by the end of 2006. Please visit coverage of hometown and the All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend events such as www.nasn.com and www.nasneurope.com for more Yankee hero Chien-Ming Wang. the Derby and MLB’s flagship highlight information and full broadcast schedules. PTS’s increased coverage of Wang and MLB games overall has allowed baseball fans in Taiwan to watch their favorite 2006 World Series Schedule MLB teams in action. Wang’s August 23rd win over the The 2006 World Series match-ups between the AL and NL Champions will be broadcast in 13 Mariners earned PTS the high- languages and reach 223 countries and territories around the world. est rating in station history. Game Date Game 1 Saturday, October 21 Game 2 Sunday, October 22 CANTV LAUNCHES Game 3 Tuesday, October 24 Game 4 Wednesday, October 25 WORLD SERIES Game 5* Thursday, October 26 PROMOTION * Saturday, October 28 CANTV, THE OFFICIAL Game 7* Sunday, October 29 telecommunications compa- *If necessary ny of MLB in Venezuela, is launching a nationwide pro- motion where MLB fans have the chance to win an all- Key Markets Targeted by Unique Signage expenses paid trip to the 2006 World Series. To win, fans scratch off a code on the OR THE THIRD STRAIGHT POSTSEASON, Banco Mercantil back of CANTV’s Unica Major League Baseball will distribute multiple and Maltin Polar Calling cards to reveal if they F television feeds of the ALCS and World Series will all have their have won. Cards will feature containing virtually inserted advertising internationally. brand virtually in- the 30 club logos, and the AL, This postseason, dedicated feeds will be created for serted behind NL and MLB logos. The pro- Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Latin America. home plate during motion will be supported by a By distributing unique virtual feeds to different the most exciting national advertising cam- parts of the globe, MLB sponsors can directly target weeks of the Major League Baseball season. The 2006 paign, with television, print consumers in key markets. Companies such as Mas- ALCS and World Series will be televised to over 200 and radio advertisements. tercard, Pepsi, JACCS, Konami, AEON, Presidente, countries around the world. GETTY IMAGES PLAYER NATIONALITIES MINNESOTA NEW YORK NEW YORK OAKLAND BREWERS TWINS METS YANKEES ATHLETICS Canada, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Canada, Dominican Canada, Dominican Dominican Dominican Republic, Republic, Japan, Republic, Mexico, Republic, Japan, Republic, Mexico, Mexico, Puerto Panama, Puerto Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, United States, Rico, United Rico, Taiwan, United States, United States, Venezuela States, United States, Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela 5 MLB Game Development

HEATING UP nations (Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda) were se- THE WINTER Europe Academy lected to participate. Three signings have already occurred from this year’s Breeds Talent Academy: catcher Petr Cech (Czech Republic) was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and shortstop Jakub Hajtmar AJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INTERNATIONAL (Czech Republic) and pitcher (Nether- (MLBI) held its second annual European Base- lands) were picked up by the Minnesota Twins. SINCE 2005, MAJOR LEAGUE M ball Academy from July 27 through August The Major League Scouting Bureau and seven Ma- Baseball has partnered with 18 in Tirrenia, Italy. Fifty-five (55) of the region’s top jor League Clubs sent scouts to last year’s Academy, in support of young talent from 10 European countries (Croatia, Czech signing four players to contracts. Third baseman Alex Winterball, a Canadian school- Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Nether- Liddi (Italy) and outfielder (Netherlands) based program that is now lands, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden) and three African signed with the , right-handed pitcher part of the physical education Jacob Toufar (Czech Republic) was inked by the Twins, curriculum for many schools HURST and Alessandro Maestri (Italy) received a contract from throughout all 10 Canadian the Chicago Cubs. Maestri pitched in two games for provinces. The program has Italy’s national team in the inaugural World Baseball reached new heights under the Classic, while five 2005 Academy participants repre- partnership with 850 schools sented Team South Africa in the tournament. and more than 150,000 stu- Former Major Leaguers and Bruce dents exposed to its elements. Hurst (pictured) again led the coaching staff. In March, With Winterball in full swing Lefebvre and Hurst served as manager and pitching and more Canadian ballplayers for Team China in the World Baseball Classic. rising through the ranks of Hall-of-Famer and former all-time saves MLB, an impressive 30% leader served as instructors as well. Smith increase in new registrants served as the pitching coach for the South African squad was recorded across the coun- during the World Baseball Classic. try this past season. Ten (10) coaches from seven European nations vis- ited the Academy to learn from Major League coaches, GRIFFEY including the national academy directors from the Nether- lands, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

MLB GETS THE SHOW ON THE ROAD ACROSS GERMANY EAMING UP WITH LONG-TIME SPONSORS in YAM!, KING magazine and online at all of the German Burger King, Majestic and New Era, Major League Baseball Federation’s websites and at burgerking.de. T Baseball took the MLB Roadshow to cities Burger King also produced two million tray liners en- throughout Germany this summer to create awareness couraging customers to visit the MLB Roadshow. ARCHEY for the world’s pre-eminent baseball organization. COURTESY OF CINCINNATI REDS Partnering with MLB for the first time in Germany, ALL-WORLD TEAM Marriott Hotels became the official hotel and hospital- TWELVE (12) PLAYERS WERE ity partner of the 2006 MLB Roadshow Tour. Marriott named to the All-World Team was also the main sponsor of the Roadshow sweep- in honor of their outstanding stakes, offering a weekend getaway for a lucky winner performances at this year’s at every tour stop. inaugural World Baseball European broadcast partner NASN, leading chil- Classic. Paul Archey, Senior VP dren’s television channel Jetix, and Axel Springer Ver- of International Business lag’s YAM! magazine also joined this year, allowing for Operations, presents Ken diverse cross-promotional activities to promote the MLB Griffey Jr. of Team USA with his brand. Television advertisements ran for a six-week pe- award prior to the Cincinnati riod on NASN, Premiere, Jetix and in over 500 Burger The month-long tour created excitement in prestigious locations, such as Reds’ home game against the King restaurants. Full-page print advertisements ran the famed Potsdamer Platz with its remnants of the Berlin wall. LA Dodgers on August 2nd. PLAYER NATIONALITIES PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH SAN DIEGO SEATTLE PHILLIES PIRATES PADRES MARINERS GIANTS Canada, Curacao, Canada, Curacao, Canada, Australia, Dominican Dominican Dominican Dominican Colombia, Cuba, Republic, Puerto Republic, Republic, Mexico, Republic, Japan, Curacao, Rico, United Panama, United Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Dominican States, States, Venezuela United States, United States, Republic, Japan, Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela Puerto Rico, United 6 States, Venezuela MLB Game Development From Croatia to India, Envoys Coach the World

N 2006, MLB WILL HAVE SENT 43 ENVOY COACHES ON 58 ASSIGNMENTS TO 24 countries across the globe, including inaugural trips to both Panama and IVietnam. Also for the first time, MLB has joined First Pitch: The US-Manipur Baseball Project and the U.S. Embassy in India to send Envoy Coaches to five cities, holding clinics and camps for local baseball coaches and players. Lauding this ini- tiative, the U.S. Ambassador in India, David Mulford, said: “We are delighted that we can work with MLBI and First Pitch to share this game with Indians. As sports enthusiasts, the Indian people may one day embrace baseball as they have cricket and other sports.” Long-time Envoy Coach Bill Percy (pictured at left) continued a tradition by host- ing a MLBlog at www.billpercy.mlblogs.com. “Coach and Professor Bill” has been an Envoy coach for MLB International since 1997 and has served as the head coach of the Croatian Senior National Team since 1998. For three weeks this July, Bill chron- icled his adventures with Croatia’s Junior National Team as they made it all the way to the championship game, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to a tough Belgian Team coached by fellow Envoy Rick Steen. The Envoy Program, developed by MLBI in 1991, utilizes top high school, college, and professional baseball coaches selected based on their experience, expertise and PERCY passion for teaching the game of baseball. The Program has sent baseball coaches From Bill Percy’s MLBlog: “Baseball is developing as a world on more than 700 assignments in 72 different countries and territories throughout sport and it is nice to know that we [Envoys] may have played its 15 year tenure, spreading the game to thousands of baseball fans through free a small part in it. Bok and Laku Noc, Bill.” clinics and coaching sessions. Six Hot Prospects Sign Out of Australian Academy

HE ANNUAL MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY Program (MLBAAP) is fast becoming one of the premier sporting acad- T emies with truly world-class coaches, an intense 60 game schedule LOETZCH and some phenomenally skilled athletes. When the 2006 MLBAAP ended this August, six players headed home grip- ping new contracts with Major League clubs. Pitchers Michael Lennox (Boston Red Sox), Gavin Dlouhy (New York Mets), Jarrod Eacott (Minnesota Twins), Tris- tan Loetzch () and Tom Fiebig (Cincinnati Reds) and short- stop Jason Smit () have joined the ranks of over 100 current professional baseball players from Australia and New Zealand. Little doubt remains about the talent emerging from the Australian base- ball community. Over its six-year history, the Academy has seen close to 300 athletes pass through its ranks. Of those, 94 have signed professional con- tracts, and many more are pursuing successful collegiate careers at Amer- ican universities. Southpaw Eacott became the third member of his family to go pro, joining cousins Adam Morrissey () and Mitch Denning (Boston Red Sox). Notable alumni of the MLBAAP already in the majors include Rich Thompson (LA Angels of Anaheim), a participant in this year’s , and Scott Campbell, who in June became the first Kiwi to be selected in the Ma- jor League Baseball First Year Player Draft. PLAYER NATIONALITIES ST. LOUIS TAMPA BAY TEXAS RANGERS TORONTO BLUE WASHINGTON CARDINALS DEVIL RAYS Canada, JAYS NATIONALS Dominican Dominican Dominican Dominican Canada, Dominican Republic, Japan, Republic, Republic, Japan, Republic, Guam, Republic, Mexico, Mexico, Puerto Germany, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Puerto Rico, United Rico, United Mexico, South Nicaragua, Rico, United States, Venezuela States, Korea, United Panama, United Status, Venezuela States, Venezuela States Venezuela 7 MLB International Player Spotlights

MLB INTERNATIONAL BEDARD LOEWEN DIRECTORY

CENTRAL OFFICE (New York) (Phone +1-212-931-7500) Paul Archey Senior VP, International Business Operations

TV & SPONSORSHIP SALES Italo Zanzi Vice President, International Broadcast Sales & Latin American / US Hispanic Marketing Eric Conrad Manager, Latin American/US Hispanic Sales and Marketing Erin Riggins Account Executive, International Broadcasting Canadian Infusion Monica Lopez Senior Coordinator, Client Services ROM HALL OF FAME PITCHER TO FORMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT PHOTO BY DENIS Jim Small Vice President, Asia batting champion to current Pittsburgh Pirate All-Star Ja- Dominick Balsamo Director, F son Bay, Canadian ballplayers have factored prominently in the Major Market Development & Communications League Baseball landscape for decades. This year in Baltimore, Orioles fans Mike McClellan Program Manager, Game Development are enjoying a unique tandem from the north that promises to highlight their Mike Cafaro Coordinator, Event young pitching staff for years to come. Marketing Erin Sloneker Coordinator, Market Ontario-born Erik Bedard and British Columbia-native are Development & Communications developing into two of the best young lefthanders in the game. The pair pitched for Team Canada in this year’s World Baseball Classic, with Bedard throwing SANCHEZ LICENSING Shawn Lawson-Cummings Vice four scoreless against South Africa and Loewen earning the win over President, International Licensing ROOKIE THROWS & Sponsorship favored Team USA, a sign of what has become a very successful 2006 campaign. Deidra Varona Director, Bedard has followed through on the promise he demonstrated early last NO-HITTER International Licensing Jacquelyn Walsh Director, season by staying healthy and is on pace to throw the most innings of his ca- JOINING SUCH INTERNA- International Corporate Marketing reer. This year he has developed a new pitch, the “circle ,” which tional pitching sensations as and Retail Services Josephine Fuzesi Senior Account combined with his already devastating and breaking stuff has made , Dennis Martinez Executive, International Licensing Bedard a more complete hurler. and , Ani- Whitney Sanders Senior Coordinator, International A few years behind Bedard in the majors, Loewen has benefited most from bal Sanchez became just the Licensing greater confidence in his natural abilities and better command of his pitches, a second Venezuelan to pitch a Debora Lehrer Coordinator, International Licensing & maturity he credits, in part, to playing for Team Canada this March. Said Loewen no-hitter when the rookie shut- Sponsorship of his performance: “It [gave] me a lot of confidence. I just faced the best - out the Diamondbacks in the ters in the world and I did pretty good against them. And it’s just an unbeliev- Marlins 2-0 victory on Sep- TELEVISION OPERATIONS Russell Gabay Executive Producer able experience being out there on the mound facing those calibre of hitters.” tember 6th, 2006 (Wilson Al- Margie O’Neill Field Producer Tom Guidice Senior Broadcast This Canadian duo has the potential to lead the Orioles’ rotation for years varez of the White Sox was the Specialist to come and continues to demonstrate the talent constantly emerging from first on August 11th, 1991).

JAPAN OFFICE (Tokyo) the north. (Phone: +81 3 3507-5799) Jim Small Managing Director Darrick Thomas Marketing Manager Taiwan’s Brightest Star Sami Kawakami Account Executive Hiroko Kato Account Executive WANG ROWING UP IN TAINAN, TAIWAN, CHIEN-MING WANG BEGAN HIS BASE- EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA ball career at age nine at Chongsywe Elementary School, where a statue OFFICE (London) (Phone: +44 20 7453-7000) G of a baseball player now stands in the courtyard. “Wang donated the Clive Russell Director Jason Holowaty Manager, Game statue,” Liu Yong-Song, a former coach, told ESPN. “He comes here during the Development offseason to give our players tips. He’s a big presence in our program.” Wendy Yates Office Manager Through coaches like Liu, Wang realized that his future was on the mound and in AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA OFFICE 2000 he became only the third Taiwanese player to sign a Major League deal (Chin- (Sydney) (Phone: +61 2 9238- 2292) Feng Chen – Dodgers, and Chin-hui Tsao – Rockies). Tom Nicholson Director Sidelined by a injury for all of 2001 and part of 2003, Wang starred for the Chinese Taipei Olympic team Elizabeth Cage Manager, Media & Communications in 2004 and blossomed later that summer. On April 30, 2005, Wang made his Major League debut with the New Warren King Manager, Events & York Yankees, becoming one of the team’s most dependable starters and the best groundball pitcher in the game, Market Development due in large part to his trademark . “It’s like trying to hit a bowling ball,” Yankee pitching coach

told MLB.com. “The sinker he throws is so heavy and it moves so late, the guys just beat it in the ground.” GETTY IMAGES (3) 8