Team Mexico: World Baseball Classico

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Some of the biggest names in the history of baseball south of the United States border came together for 90 minutes of baseball, laughs and sun on Monday afternoon at the Kino Sports Complex.

Team Mexico will do it again every day this week.

"We are excited about our chances, because we have a very good team," Reds infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. said. "We are going to play well."

Mexico will open up World Baseball Classic play on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET against Australia at Mexico City's Foro del Sol in Pool B play. In the meantime, hitters are taking a little batting practice, fielders are going over game situations and pitchers are throwing in the bullpen like they have been playing together all year.

"One thing about this team is everybody gets along," said pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who is in camp as the team's honorary captain. "People are talking and joking already. It's a good clubhouse with good guys. Good players."

Loaiza is right. There are handshakes and fist bumps galore and everybody is smiling in camp. Listen closely, and you'll hear conversations in Spanish, English and Spanglish all over the diamond.

"I don't know if you get five pitches or 'cinco' pitches," catcher Miguel Ojeda joked with Hairston in the batting cage.

Hairston shook his head and smiled, completely aware that cinco is the Spanish word for five.

After practice, Hairston went out of his way to stop Joakim Soria, introduce himself and tell the Royals' closer that the first time he saw him pitch was in Mexico, where Soria threw a no-hitter against his team.

"Man, you were awesome," Hairston said.

Soria patted Hairston on the back, and the new teammates walked into the clubhouse together as buddies. Hairston's brother, Scott, is also feeling at home. The Padres outfielder said he loves the fact that his new friends are speaking to him in Spanish, even when he doesn't always understand exactly what they are saying.

"This is great practice," Scott Hairston said. "The guys are helping me out a lot."

At the center of Team Mexico is former big leaguer-turned-manager Vinny Castilla. The jovial leader is arguably the most prolific position player to come out of Mexico, and he just might be one of the funniest. His quick wit is second only to his command of the game. Even with a coaching staff that boasts Fernando Valenzuela, Ted Higuera and Alfonso Jimenez, Castilla might be the most respected man on the premises.

Castilla is definitely the most visible. Everybody on the field loves Vinicio. They also know he could probably play a few innings if he had to, because he looks just as fit as the players.

"Vinicio and all these guys are the guys. They paved the way for us," Padres second baseman Edgar Gonzalez said. "It's up to us to keep the tradition going for the future generations. We want people to know how good the baseball is in Mexico."

The biggest star on the field on Monday afternoon was Padres All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. But fans on both sides of the border will also recognize the names of the other players who are hitting under the Arizona sun. Karim Garcia, Erubiel Durazo, Ojeda, Rod Barajas and Jorge Cantu also put on a show during batting practice.

How Mexico's lineup and pitching rotation is going to shape up is still to be determined, but look for Adrian Gonzalez at first base, either Jerry Hairston or Edgar Gonzalez at second, Cantu at third base, Augie Ojeda at shortstop, Barajas behind the plate, Durazo or Jorge Vazquez at designated hitter and an outfield combination of Garcia, Scott Hairston and Alfredo Amezaga.

"I would have loved to have [Brewers pitcher] Yovani Gallardo and [Rockies pitcher] Jorge De La Rosa, but we weren't able to pick them up this year," Castilla said. "We put together the best team we could, and I'm very happy with it."

The country's schedule is set.

Mexico will play the Diamondbacks in an exhibition game on Wednesday, and the club will face the Rockies on Thursday in Tucson. Team Mexico will travel to Hermosillo, Mexico, for another game against the D-backs on Friday.

Arizona ace Brandon Webb will start against Mexico on Wednesday.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us to face a guy like him," Castilla said. "He's a quality pitcher, and he's going to be working hard to get us out. It's a good test, and I think it can help us in the tournament."

It's official. The stars are lining up for Mexico. The players are just having a good time while they do it.

"The players are here. The desire is here," Castilla said. "Everybody is here representing Mexico, and everybody is going to leave everything they have between the lines."