Sports News

Last Olympics for baseball, Cuba favored

Published: July 25, 2008 at 8:32 AM
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Davey Johnson seen on this October 23, 1998 file photo. (UPI/Jim Ruymen)
Davey Johnson seen on this October 23, 1998 file photo. (UPI/Jim Ruymen) | Enlarge Enlarge
BEIJING, July 25 (UPI) -- Baseball

Gold medals to be awarded: 1

Dates of competition: Aug. 13-23

Having been voted out of the Olympics along with softball, baseball's originating country is anxious to claim a goodbye gold medal.

Baseball became a part of the Olympics in 1992 and Cuba has won all but one of the gold medals awarded. The exception came in 2000, when a team coached by Tommy Lasorda defeated the Cubans in the gold medal game 4-0.

Ben Sheets allowed the Cubans only three hits that day.

Former major league manager Davey Johnson will guide a group of American minor league players in this year's Olympics.

Cuba, however, is again the heavy favorite among a collection of teams that includes Canada, Japan and South Korea.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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