Too soon to talk baseball?

The 2009 World Baseball Classic will be played March 5-23. The brackets for the four-round tournament are here.

The Cuban team would seem to have an excellent chance to advance from the first round in Mexico City. In the second round, in San Diego, Cuba would face the winner and runner-up in the Asian group, which will likely include Japan. Japan beat Cuba 10-6 to win first place in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Speaking of baseball, here’s another reason to read Penultimos Dias: a terrific item from Tania Quintero on Dodgers greats Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese training in Havana. With photos and links.