An Argentinian soccer jersey hangs in Hideki Matsui’s locker, the Tampa Bay Rays are sporting their favorite team’s jersey and Kevin Frandsen is trying to find a jersey for the Ivory Coast.  World Cup fever is not immune the Major League Baseball clubhouse.

“Who isn’t? It happens once every four years, and it’s players from all over the world. So it’s very exciting.” Milwaukee Brewers Yovani Gallardo said.

The New York Mets have a clubhouse pool setup by Johan Santana. Despite being from Venezuela, his team is Italy. Reliever Royota Igarashi is one of the fortunate ones who can root for his country (Japan). Rookie Ike Davis doesn’t know much about soccer except that he drew favored Spain in the pool.

The Tampa Bay Rays are carrying on their themed road trip tradition and wearing soccer jerseys of their favorite team on their trip to Atlanta.

The Los Angeles Angels are hanging jerseys in their lockers.

“Everybody has a team,” right-handed pitcher Scot Shields said. “I think it’s going to be tough for everybody to get a jersey, though. North Korea, I don’t think they’re selling too many of those.”

Angels infielder Kevin Frandsen is having trouble finding the jersey of his pool team.  “I have Ivory Coast. They don’t sell it,” he said.

Information from Howie Rumberg of the Canadian Press was used in this article.