Mexico’s WBC team has All-Star coaching staff

Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — Halfway through the Mexican national team’s morning workout Saturday, a man slowly wheeled a cart full of baseballs toward the middle of the infield.

Not every team has the luxury of using a 17-year major league veteran and former Cy Young Award winner to keep their batting practice pitcher supplied with balls. But in this case, Fernando Valenzuela was only too eager to oblige.

“Whatever they need,” Valenzuela said. “I’m real, real happy to be part of this.”

This, of course, is the World Baseball Classic, where Mexico will meet South Korea Sunday night in San Diego’s Petco Park. In the first game of the double-elimination quarterfinal round, Cuba squares off against Japan and right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka in a 1 p.m. rematch of the 2006 WBC championship game.

And for Valenzuela, whose 173 major league wins are the most by a Mexican pitcher, the tournament gives him an opportunity to do something he never got to do as a player: wear his country’s uniform in a truly international competition.

“It’s hard to explain,” said Valenzuela, who earned 141 of his wins — along with his Cy Young and a rookie-of-the-year award — during 11 seasons with the Dodgers. “It’s proud to be representing your country.”

Even if the honor comes without a clear job description.

As one of three pitching coaches on Manager Vinny Castilla’s six-man staff, Valenzuela’s official duty during games is to count pitches for head pitching coach Teddy Higuera. In practice, however, he does much more.

“My job over here, or my part on the team, is if somebody’s needing help or if somebody’s asking for something, I’m happy to answer,” said Valenzuela, who was also a coach for Mexico in the inaugural WBC three years ago. “I don’t like to approach the young players and say ‘Hey, why don’t you do this or that?’ Because they have their own programs. But when anybody needs a little help, I try to help them out.”

Valenzuela isn’t the only one in Mexico’s dugout with an impressive big league resume. Higuera and Castilla, whose 320 home runs are the most by a Mexican, are former All-Stars and the other four coaches also played in the majors. And that hardly makes Mexico unique. Of the 16 WBC teams, only Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Cuba do not have former major league players on their staffs.

Some of those jobs were easier to come by than others. South Africa, which has never won a WBC game, much less produce a major league player, had seven-time All-Star Lee Smith as its pitching coach, for example. And Italy’s staff had ex-Dodger Mike Piazza as well as former big league managers Tom Trebelhorn and Mike Hargrove

Hargrove’s qualifications to wear the Italian uniform?

“I know how to spell lasagna,” he joked.

Joking aside, however, having that much star power — and the ego that often accompanies it — on one staff can be problematic. In Mexico’s case, however, Castilla sees it as a positive.

“We have (this) coaching staff because all these guys have been great players,” said Castilla, whose brain trust includes first base coach and former Angels broadcaster Jose Tolentino, who played in the majors for four teams. “They know how to transmit it to the players and that’s why they’re here. There’s a great atmosphere in the clubhouse. We get along great and we help each other.”

Valenzuela agrees.

“There’s only one purpose: to put the team together and be a winner,” he said. “Everybody is different. But we’re here for only one purpose, one reason, to … win games.”

Yet, as much as Valenzuela says he’s enjoying his coaching stint, it’s not a job the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcaster would like on a full-time basis.

“No thank you,” Valenzuela answered without hesitation. “You have to be patient. Learn how to approach the players. It’s not easy.

“I like to stay in the press box. Watching games, talking a little bit about the games. I think that’s better.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm three games over .500 near the halfway point

Star forward Nneka Ogwumike was voted an All-Star starter Monday.

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas fist bumps a camper at the third annual League Advantage Youth Football Camp at Lucas' alma mater, Archbishop Murphy High School, on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas hosts football camp at alma mater

The Archbishop Murphy alum hosts around 125 local kids for a free day of football activities.

Top recruit Kaleo Anderson commits to Virginia Tech WBB

The King’s guard was The Herald’s 2025 Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

NBA free agency 2025: Analysis from Day 1

Day 1 of free agency is in the books, and we don’t… Continue reading

Texas State to join the Pac-12, allowing it to qualify as FBS conference

The Pac-12 officially has its eighth football-playing member. The conference announced on… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje throw against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on May 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Jurrangelo Cijntje, Lazaro Montes named to Futures Game

One current Everett AquaSox player and two former ones have… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox infielder Colt Emerson gets a high-five from teammate Lazaro Montes after scoring during the game against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vote for the Frog of the Week

Who is the Frog of the Week? Vote for the Everett AquaSox… Continue reading

AquaSox pitcher Evan Truitt throws a pitch during Everett's 19-8 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Sunday. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed a grand slam in the fourth inning, the third one given up by the AquaSox this week. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Up Hit’s Creek: AquaSox blown out by Eugene in homestand finale

Two position players combine to pitch final 4 innings due to gassed bullpen in 19-8 loss.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje delivers a pitch during Everett's 9-3 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Saturday. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox scoring woes continue in loss to Eugene

Trouble plating runners and a fourth-inning blow-up on the mound doom Everett in 9-3 loss.

Kevin Harvick (right) speaks at the Mark Galloway 150 Shootout media lunch alongside his son, Keelan, at Evergreen Speedway on Friday. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
NASCAR legend set to return to Evergreen Speedway

Kevin Harvick and his son, Keelan, will face off in the Mark Galloway 150 Shootout on Saturday.

Everett Silvertips’ Carter Bear on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carter Bear becomes Silvertips’ first NHL first-round pick in 10 years

The Detroit Red Wings select the forward 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.

Everett AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje throws against the Spokane Indians at Funko Field on May 31, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox switch-pitcher’s long path leads to Everett

High-A baseball represents just another step in Jurrangelo Cijntje’s journey.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.