updated 8:57 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2006

NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez changed his mind and decided to play in the World Baseball Classic — for the United States — because of his status in the sport, The New York Times reported Friday.

“At the end of the day, I realized how important it was for me to play because of the position that I have in the game,” the New York Yankees third baseman told the newspaper. “When I looked at that, I felt I needed to be there.”

After initially saying he would play for the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez changed his mind last month and said he wouldn’t play in the World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday night, he decided he would participate in the 16-team tournament, but as a member of the U.S. team.

“I know what kind of a crazy competitor I am,” Rodriguez told the Times. “If I’m in Lakeland in March and my country is playing Japan in the semifinals in Arizona, I know I’d want to be there. I’m the best guy available to help the team.”

Rodriguez’s decision to play with the U.S. team miffed Stan Javier, the general manager for the Dominican team.

World Baseball Classic      Final: Japan 10, Cuba 6 Ichiro's 2 hits help lift Japan | Box score Commentary: How to make WBC better Cuba makes statement despite loss Cubans disappointed | Japan euphoric Vote: How would you rate WBC? U.S. faces years-long wait for redemption

“It was pretty clear that he was going to play for the Dominican team,” Javier told the newspaper. “He said he would announce it. Two days later, he said he wasn’t playing at all.”

Rodriguez said it was a tough decision, but one he is now comfortable with.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Wild action on the baseball diamond, fun on the football field, and more. more photos

“No matter what I did, I was going to tick somebody off.”

The final 30-man rosters for the World Baseball Classic will be chosen from each team’s 60-player pools shortly before the start of the event, scheduled for March 3-20.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

A run of historic proportions Opinion: Red Sox somehow must find that 2004 magic Opinion: Red Sox don't seem likely to rally this time Rays swap starters for Game 5 against Boston Blyleven: Rays have found formula for success  Small fire burns famous Fenway landmark Phillies try to put away Dodgers in Game 5 At bat: Under the radar, Manuel works his magic Opinion: Second-guess Torre? Think again, L.A. fans Opinion: Phillies keep finding new heroes   Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: