The inaugural World Baseball Classic will be played in March 2006. Six Cubs have agreed to represent their respective nations in the contest: Derrek Lee and Michael Barrett of the US, Carlos Zambrano and Henry Blanco of Venezuela, Neifi Perez of the Dominican Republic, and Jose Macias of Panama.

Being the Cubs fan I am, I'm a bit worried about Zambrano throwing even more pitches and innings than he usually does. On the other hand, nothing would please me more than to see Macias win the tournament with a clutch pinch-hit grand slam, and then retire with his newfound fame as a hero to Panama. Just the thought is enough to make me a big, big Panama fan.