KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Jose Veras’ 2013 World Baseball Classic gold medals were safely tucked inside a travel bag Friday morning. Ripe, unpeeled plantains were stuck in his sneakers inside the Astros’ clubhouse. And the WBC Veras had longed for was a once-in-a-lifetime success. After wanting to pitch in the 2009 WBC but not being allowed to, the 32-year-old Veras became part of the Dominican Republic’s 2013 championship team on Tuesday, courtesy of a 3-0 shutout against Latin American rival Puerto Rico. The Astros righthanded reliever only threw 1 2/3 innings in the WBC, allowing two earned runs while striking out three. But the D.R. proud Veras earned his medal like [...]