Major League Baseball stars Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka headline a host of players revealed as the primary candidates to play for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, it was announced on Monday.
"Since I've become the manager of 'Samurai Japan,' we've received the support of all Japanese players playing both in Japan and outside Japan, and have selected these members after consulting former players and coaches," Japan manager Tatsunori Hara said during a press conference at a Tokyo hotel.
"I believe these guys are blessed with heart, technique, physical abilities and have fighting spirit. That's why we chose them."