Surprise! It's Cuba, Japan and.....Italy.

This may have contributed to the banishment of baseball from the Olympics. The qualifying requirements were such that only two countries from the Americas could make it while Europe, Asia and Africa would also have a representative or two.

Also, only recently did the US Olympic committee open the doors to non-amateurs, but still the team comprises only minor league players. Obviously, players under major league contracts are in the middle of their seasons, and the dream of playing in and winning the World Series overshadows an Olympic gold medal.

It was remarkable that Tommy Lasorda's young team in 2000 won the Gold. A few future major leaguers played for him, including Ben Sheets, Roy Oswalt and CC Sabathia. Brad Wilkerson, Adam Everett and Doug Mientkiewicz were among the offensive standouts, and the only recognizable name on the team that year was recently retired catcher, Pat Borders, who at 37 brought along the young pitching staff nicely.