The Final 9

By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Sammy Sosa, still without an offer to play in the major leagues, intends to retire from baseball after the next World Baseball Classic, according to published reports.

"It's part of the plan. It would be great if folks can see me for the last time wearing the uniform of the [Dominican Republic] National Team," Sosa told Hoy, a Dominican newspaper.

"It's always an honor to represent your country," added Sosa, whose motivation to play in the WBC increased once Felipe Alou, a fellow native Dominican, was named manager of the national club.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Sosa reiteriated his retirement plans.

"That's my wish," he said during a telephone interview from Miami, "to put on my country's uniform so people can see me playing again."

The second WBC, with 16 countries in the field, will begin play in March 2009. The Dominican Republic will play its first-round games in Puerto Rico.

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