San Francisco Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong To Play For USA In World Baseball Classic

October 31, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (left, top) waves to the crowd while riding in a car during the World Series victory parade at Market Street. The Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers in a four-game sweep to win the 2012 World Series. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While he might not get the publicity of other talent, like R.A. Dickey or Andy Pettitte, the Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong might just be one of the most important additions (at least pitching wise) to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, which is scheduled to begin on March 2nd.

Much like the Olympics before it, the WBC is an every four year event (or at least, that’s their intent – since the previous WBC was in 2009) so the opportunity to play for your country is limited given you might have the opportunity twice in your career, if you’re lucky. For Vogey, it has to be icing on the cake – out of baseball to World Series champion and now pitching for his country?! The storybook continues to grow.

Vogelsong and Team USA will open play in Pool 4, which will take part at Chase Field in Arizona – their first game, Friday, March 8th against Team Mexico.

Assuming they’re able to move on in the round robin format, Team USA would then move to Marlins Park in Miami before the Championship round takes place in none other than AT&T Park, Sunday March 17-19.

Currently, no other San Francisco Giants are scheduled to play for Team USA, though players like Pablo Sandoval are expected to participate for their native counties.