Team USA Aims for Gold in Puerto Rico

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Rockies, Royals, International Baseball

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Bruce Billings and Jordan Pacheco had no idea why they were being harshly summoned into their manager's office. Tulsa was on its final road trip of the regular season, and the Drillers -- Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies -- were on the verge of advancing into the minor league playoffs.

It was late August -- and early April Fool's Day.

Billings (pictured at right) and Pacheco were being quizzed about their recent drug tests before manager Ron Gideon came clean with the good news: Billings and Pacheco had been selected to Team USA, which is participating here in the Pan Am Qualifying Tournament.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh,' where is this conversation headed because I knew I hadn't done anything wrong," Billings told FanHouse.

"After he told us we made (Team USA), I was kind of taken aback. This is exciting. When you have a bunch of good guys who come together and are pulling for one goal -- we are trying to win gold -- it's not about ego, or who you are, who you play for, it's about Team USA.

"I think everyone is humbled to be playing for Team USA."

 

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