Dave Johnson to manage Team USA at classic

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Former Major League manager Davey Johnson was named Wednesday to manage the U.S. team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In the major leagues, Johnson managed the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1984-2000, and last summer, he guided the U.S. Olympic team to a bronze medal at the Beijing Games.

"I don't want to put that much pressure on him, he's a great player," Johnson said at a news conference at the winter baseball meetings in Las Vegas about having the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter at shortstop. "He really enjoys the game. He shows all that just in the way he goes about it (and) leads by performance."

The 65-year-old Johnson was an infielder for the Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs.

He retired following the 1977 season before embarking on his coaching and managing careers.

America's first game is March 7 against Canada at Toronto.