The 2009 iteration of the World Baseball Classic showed things were still a work in progress with the format. There would still be 16 teams (all the original teams from 2006) competing in groups for the first round (the pools of teams were for the most part shuffled around) but instead of the round robin format, it would become a double elimination all the way to the final four. The style would be abandoned for 2013.
Participation would prove to be another annoyance for Major League Baseball, who really wanted the competition to catch on and gain momentum. The problem was that while certain countries had no problem fielding their players, the early spring setting for this tournament meant that MLB players weren't quite in shape and a bit unwilling to alter their routine to prepare ahead of schedule for what they saw as exhibition games while their real job was still playing MLB baseball. The possibility of injury was too much of a deterrent for some, while others stayed away because their MLB clubs "strongly suggested" they avoid it (teams were forbidden by MLB from denying their players if they wanted to play in the WBC).
Most teams, like the USA, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, could still easily field an all star assortment of MLB players. Other teams, like Japan, had their own native league players to use but still had a few roster spots for an MLB player or two. Other teams didn't have enough MLB players who qualified for their team and just did their best to staff their lineups.
South Africa had no MLB players to make cards with, as most of their players were at best a minor league prospect who weren't ready for the big leagues. Others were just regular citizens with day jobs.
Cuba was another team with no MLB players, at the time for obvious reasons, but they had a star studded national team that went all the way to the finals in the first WBC.
China had their own league going on as well, and even a few MLB prospects (that never panned out), but they also fielded 0 MLB players from the 2009 season.
The remaining 13 teams had at least one player who appeared in the 2009 season:
Italy
The Italians were a round 1 knockout from the 2006 competition, and one of the reasons for that was Venezuela. Their first opponent in 2009 was again Venezuela and yet again Italy got shut out, 7-0. In this new format, a loss in your first game meant you were already risking elimination as you enter the losers bracket. In the elimination game, they faced Canada and survived with a 6-2 win. Venezuela had lost their second game, meaning they would meet Italy in the final elimination game of pool C. Winner advances to the 2nd round with USA, loser goes home. Unfortunately, Italy just couldn't figure out Venezuela, but at least they finally managed to score against them as they lost 10-1.
Three of Italy's six WBC games all time at this point had been against Venezuela, going 0-3 with a combined run score of 23-1.
Catalanotto was near the end of his career by this point. He played for Italy while in camp with the Rangers, got released, signed a minor league deal with the Brewers and eventually made his way back to the majors. His card has nice on-base, but his weak chart showed why the Rangers thought better of keeping him around.
Cervelli was a young backup Catcher for the Yankees in '09, and his chart shows that fact very much.
There will never be a reason for you to have a 4 on-base hitter who has 1-14 outs on his chart on your roster. Especially with C speed and not perfect on defense.
DiFelice was the man chosen to start the WBC for Italy. While the team as a whole was powerless against Venezuela, DiFelice was able to contain them for 4 shutout innings. Back in America he still made for a solid Reliever out of the bullpen.
When a Starter can only go 4 innings, he better have unbelievable control...not just a 1.
Before he went on to become an all star Closer, Grilli was a pretty forgettable relief pitcher.
Nick Punto has the chart of a true bench infield guy and nothing more.
Australia
Australia went a feeble 0-3 in 2006, but opened their 2009 WBC with a major upset victory, 17-7 over Mexico in an 8-inning mercy rule ending. Their follow-up match was against Cuba, who edged them 5-4, sending the Aussies to the losers bracket. Waiting for them there was Mexico, who returned the favor with a 16-1 thrashing that mercy rule ended after 6 innings, eliminating Australia.
Gotta love the guys with extremely limited playing time. Huber is the kind of guy you sit on your bench and wait for the perfect pinch-hitting opportunity.
Trent here is an example of if you're gonna have a sad 5 for on-base, you best have an insane chart to make the opposition pay if they ever lose the advantage to you.
Pitchers who allow homers on their own chart are always going to be a toxic substance.
Taiwan
Fun fact: the *true* Chinese government is in Taiwan, but that's a political storm not worth getting into on a baseball card blog. As far as the 2009 WBC was concerned, China and *not* China would meet again in the losers bracket. Taiwan would get there with a 9-0 loss to South Korea. Despite beating China bad in 2006, the luck would turn in this elimination game as China would win this confrontation 4-1.
As the lone MLB player on roster, Ni proves to be a pretty solid choice. That kind of chart is usually reserved for very low control pitchers, so it looks solid with his 3 control.
Canada
The Canadiens got the short end of the stick in 2006 when they went 2-1 in round 1, but lost out on advancement due to the tiebreakers, which played a part of why the new double elimination format was being used this time. This time around would feature no controversy in Canada's exit. First they faced the United States, who avenged their 2006 upset defeat by winning this contest 6-5. In the losers bracket, Canada faced Italy, who handed the Canadiens a quick exit with a 6-2 game.
Bay isn't going to be the power source of any lineups, but he'd make for a solid corner outfielder.
I know that the last guy on your roster is usually gonna be the backup Catcher, but even then you can do better than Luke Carlin here.
Pretty standard Reliever here in Jesse Crain.
There is no scenerio where you need a 0 control pitcher with that chart...
A very Canadian name in Chris Leroux. Very avoidable too with that chart and 1 control.
Martin here reminds me of some of those 2000 Showdown Catchers with no power at all but at least a 9 on-base. They made for decent backups at best, but never enough upside to actually start.
Morneau makes for a strong option at 1st Base. Decent chart with a good 9 on-base.
Orr could make things happen with his chart, but that 6 on-base won't give him that many opportunities.
I know that 6 control is tempting, but that chart is a huge red flag.
I've talked about Stairs before, and this card holds that commentary true; that 2000 Showdown card of his spoiled us.
Teahen offers some utility off the bench, perhaps an option to start if your team is loaded elsewhere.
Without question the #1 guy for Canadas team, and could justifiably be your own star player.
