When it comes to representation in this year's World Series, Venezuelans will simply have to be content with watching Ozzie Guillen on Fox's pregame show.

According to USA Today, the current Fall Classic marks the first time since 1992 that a Venezuelan ballplayer will not be on either roster. The Yankees left catcher Francisco Cervelli(notes) off their World Series roster in favor of adding Eric Hinske(notes), while the Phillies opted for a 12th pitcher — Brett Myers(notes) — instead of Miguel Cairo(notes).

Apparently this did not play well down in South American, because one Venezuelan reporter cut straight to the point during Charlie Manuel's pregame press conference Wednesday and asked why Cairo had gotten the shaft.

For a baseball-mad country like Venezuela, the omissions have to come as a big disappointment, considering the success its countrymen have experienced on the sport's biggest stage. Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio became the first Venezuelan to reach the World Series with the 1959 White Sox and Guillen became the first Latin American manager to win it in 2005. (The clinching game that year was a shutout pitched by Freddy Garcia(notes).)

Meanwhile, Venezuelans have been able to watch Dave Concepcion play a key role in the Big Red Machine, Luis Sojo be a part of the last Yankees dynasty,  Francisco Rodriguez(notes) spark the '02 Angels, Miguel Cabrera(notes) participate with the '03 Marlins and '06 Tigers and Magglio Ordonez(notes) put the '06 Tigers into the World Series with that home run against Oakland. 

Yet despite all those achievements and the presence of 52 Venezuelans on rosters during the 2009 season, the country will be left out unless an injury forces a roster change.

Wait 'til next year, Hugo. 

Related: Francisco Cervelli, Miguel Cabrera, Brett Myers, Eric Hinske, Miguel Cairo, 2009 postseason on the Stew, 2009 World Series on the Stew