 Veteran pitcher Ryan Dempster (right) talks with teenage slugger Josh Naylor of Mississauga on Saturday at a Baseball Canada findraiser and awards banquet in Toronto. (Veronica Henri, Toronto Sun) |
It’s not perfect. Rosters for international competitions never are.
But manager Ernie Whitt has had so much success, going back to 1999, due to his innate ability to get players to play above their norm, elevating their game thanks to the Maple Leaf on their arm.
The first 23 players of Whitt’s 28-man roster — with Joey Votto needing only to pass a physical to be added — was unveiled Saturday afternoon the 10th annual Baseball Canada fundraiser at the Renaissance Toronto.
So far, it’s a team with a strong bullpen, a lineup of five established major-leaguers and inexperienced starters.
Yet, 15-year veteran Ryan Dempster has yet to declare, as they say in the college ranks.
Will he or won’t he?
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“I need to judge my body and see where I am in a week or so,” said a noncommittal Dempster, in town to receive the Baseball Canada Level of Excellence honour."
