Bobby Abreu: Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu has played in relative anonymity in this country despite six consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. In his native Venezuela, however, he is a national hero, a status he takes quite seriously

TSN: How does it feel to be baseball's most anonymous superstar?

ABREU: It doesn't really bother me. I've never been in the playoffs, so people don't see me very often. They don't know me. But the advantage is I can go out and people don't recognize me. Well, once in a while, maybe.

TSN: Can you go out in Venezuela and not be recognized?

ABREU: That's a different story. It's tough sometimes to go out there. It doesn't really bother me because all they want is an autograph or to take a photo with me. They don't have an opportunity to see me very often, so that's the only chance they have to say hello. That's why sometimes it's tough to be on the street. But that's also why it's very important to me that I play winter ball in Venezuela every year, because I have fans over there.

TSN: A record 66 Venezuelans played in the major leagues last season. Only Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, of places outside the 50 states, sent more. Can this growth continue?

ABREU: It can. The academies in Venezuela have been working hard with the kids, and they teach them the right way. It's possible that soon there could be more Venezuelans in the major leagues than Dominicans or Puerto Ricans.

TSN: If invited, would you consider playing for Venezuela in next spring's World Baseball Classic?

ABREU: Of course. I'm very excited about it because you get to represent your country in a different way. Over here, you just represent a team. And you give your best to them to try to win games and try to get to the championship. But representing Venezuela? That's a different story, a different feeling. I've never represented my country before.

TSN: Who's the best player in the game today?

ABREU: I like Barry Bonds. People respect him so much. The way he hits and the way he has dominated the game. He's the best player to me. But he's injured, so I guess I'd say Albert Pujols. He does something every game. Could I be second, behind Pujols? Yeah, why not? I think I'm there right now.

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