Giancarlo Stanton and Steve Cishek have been named to Team USA's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic this spring.
But, in somewhat of a stunner, so was former Marlins closer Heath Bell.
"I'm so pumped to be part of this team and to be able to have this experience," said Cishek, who was notified on Monday that he was being selected for the 27-player provisional roster. "It gave me goosebumps to see that."
Stanton has known for quite a while that he would be chosen. But Cishek, who will close for the Marlins this coming season, had no inkling until he received a text message on Monday and phone call from Team USA manager Joe Torre on Tuesday asking if he was willing to participate.
Cishek needed no convincing.
"It's definitely an honor," Cishek said. "It's a dream come true."
Cishek said that when he learned that Bell had also been chosen, he quickly fired off a text message congratulating his former teammate, who was traded to Arizona following a miserable season with Miami.
"He was chanting back, 'USA, USA,'" Cishek said.
USA Baseball's 2013 World Baseball Classic Provisional Roster
Jeremy Affeldt - San Francisco Giants - LHP
J.P. Arencibia - Toronto Blue Jays - C
Heath Bell - Arizona Diamondbacks - RHP
Willie Bloomquist - Arizona Diamondbacks - UTL
Mitchell Boggs - St. Louis Cardinals - RHP
Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers - OF
Steve Cishek - Miami Marlins - RHP
Tim Collins - Kansas City Royals - LHP
R.A. Dickey - Toronto Blue Jays - RHP
Luke Gregerson - San Diego Padres - RHP
Derek Holland - Texas Rangers - LHP
Adam Jones - Baltimore Orioles - OF
Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves - RHP
Jonathan Lucroy - Milwaukee Brewers - C
Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins - C
Kris Medlen - Atlanta Braves - RHP
Chris Perez - Cleveland Indians - RHP
Glen Perkins - Minnesota Twins - LHP
Vinnie Pestano - Cleveland Indians - RHP
Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds - IF
Jimmy Rollins - Philadelphia Phillies - IF
Giancarlo Stanton - Miami Marlins - OF
Mark Teixeira - New York Yankees - IF
Shane Victorino - Boston Red Sox - OF
Ryan Vogelsong - San Francisco Giants - RHP
David Wright - New York Mets - IF
Ben Zobrist - Tampa Bay Rays - UTL
