Major League Baseball is doing an international home run derby this year, to generate publicity for next year's World Cup. 6 players from 6 different countries have confirmed, with only the U.S. and Japan not having players yet. (D. Lee declined for the U.S. because of his injury) Japan needs someone, maybe we can finally see Ichiro? Full ESPN.com story below the fold.

The CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby (ESPN and ESPN Radio, Monday, July 11, 8 p.m. ET) will have an international flavor this year.

Hoping to kick off the countdown to next year's World Baseball Classic, the derby will feature players from different nations represented throughout Major League Baseball. Six out of eight participants have confirmed their spots, according to MLB.com.

According to the Web site Tuesday, the roster includes: Atlanta slugger and home run leader Andruw Jones, Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu, Milwaukee's Carlos Lee, Pittsburgh's Jason Bay, Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez and Boston's David Ortiz.

The Dominican Republic will be represented by Ortiz; Venezuela by Abreu, Puerto Rico by Rodriguez; Curacao by Jones; Panama by Lee; and Canada by Bay.

The only two countries not represented yet are the United States and Japan.

One player who won't represent the United States will be Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who declined an invitation because of a sore shoulder, MLB.com reported.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2101332