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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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No Rays on initial U.S. interest list

Posted Jan 9, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jan 9, 2009 at 02:21 PM

USA Baseball has released a list of 22 players who have expressed an interest in playing for manager Davey Johnson’s team in the World Baseball Classic, and there isn’t a single Tampa Bay player on it.

During the winter meetings, Rays manager Joe Maddon speculated that Carl Crawford and a pitcher or two might be selected by the U.S. team. Big-league teams have been somewhat in the dark about the selection process, which apparently has consisted of Johnson approaching potential players directly.

Several high-profile players have reportedly declined a chance to participate in the WBC, but the initial interest list features plenty of talent. In addition to Derek Jeter, the likes of Grady Sizemore, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Chipper Jones, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt have thrown their various hats into the ring.

WBC teams must submit provisional rosters of up to 45 players by Jan. 16 and narrow that group to a final roster of up to 28 by Feb. 24.