OPINION —
THE HARDEST job in the world? The biographer who tries to determine Allan H. “Bud” Selig’s dumbest move while baseball commissioner. So many to choose from … how do you ever find just one?
The nomination from this column is Selig’s creation of the World Baseball Classic, supposedly designed to grow baseball internationally.
Scheduled to be played every four years, 2013 is the third “classic” that this year will feature 39 games to be played in seven stadiums in four countries from March 2-19.
Japan is the two-time defending champion, having won each of the first two events in 2006 and 2009.
The semifinals and finals will take place March 17-19 in San Francisco. Second-round games will be from March 12-16 in Miami and Tokyo, while first-round games are in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. From March 2-11.
Yes, those two and one-half weeks are smack dab in the middle of the major league’s spring training. Good timing, Bud.
Players on MLB teams play for the country of their ethnic origin. And while players especially from Latin countries take great pride in representing their country, interest among USA baseball fans has been underwhelming. Angels first baseman Albert Pujols recently said he wanted to play for his native Dominican Republic, despite still recovering from knee surgery, despite his $16 million paycheck this year and $23 million next year en route to a 10-year, $250 million deal.
Meanwhile, baseball fans in the USA are more interested in our professional teams’ preparations for the upcoming major league season and view the World Baseball Classic as hindering what we care about—the major-league season.
It is a distraction from the solidification and evaluation of the professional season, interference which hurts marginal players, who spend time away from those whose evaluations will determine their baseball futures.
Eight Pittsburgh players are on the tentative list of players to be finalized next week: left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic, closer Jason Grilli of Italy, and catcher Russell Martin and pitchers Chris Leroux and Jameson Taillon of Canada. (Taillon is a Texas native, but under Selig’s logic—pardon the oxymoron—eligible to represent Canada since his parents were born in Toronto.)
Catcher Ali Solis (Mexico), infielder Ivan De Jesus (Puerto Rico), and shortstop Stefan Welch (Australia) also have been named.
So how do you feel about the anointed closer, the number two starting pitcher, the $17 million catcher, and a future pitching stud risking injury to help “grow baseball internationally”?
How do you think Milwaukee feels about seeing 14 Brewers go to the event?
Recently-retired Chipper Jones, who played in both 2006 and 2009, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution those two stints were enough.
“Just way too many days off,” he said. “We stayed in Toronto for a week and played three games. You’re not getting the work in that you should. You’re getting reps, but you’re not getting the at-bats that you need. Getting to share a clubhouse with the guys and getting to know people on a different level is the cool part about it. But when you’re talking about a three-week tournament, and you could literally play [only] eight games in three weeks, it’s just too much down time for spring training.”
Jones gets it, unlike Yankee first baseman Kevin Youkilis, surprised by the ho-hum attendance figures for Team USA’s games in 2009, doesn’t.
“I don't think [the fans] have enough pride in this,” Youkilis told The Boston Herald in 2009. “It's kind of a sad day when you see that. I don't think there's as much pride in the USA as there is for these other countries. There was a whole section of Dominican fans just here to watch baseball. I think we're losing a little bit of pride.”
No, Kevin…we just don’t care.
If it is so important, then schedule it for November, not in the spring, when an injury to a key player in a meaningless game could affect his team’s entire season.
Bud strikes again.
Sports
EXTRA INNINGS: Selig's dumbest move? World Baseball Classic
- Sports
-
-
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track set today at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium today, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. -
RANDOM THOUGHTS: Competitive cheerleading tough for even manly men
WHEN I THINK OF MYSELF, I think I’m one of the more manly men you’ll find.
I definitely don’t mind eating all kinds of meat and potatoes. I love watching sports — and participating in them when I can.
I do many other things that ‘real’ men do that aren’t fit for print and proper readers.
What I don’t do is wear skinny jeans or other tight-fitting clothes. I don’t wear jewelry nor do I wear colors that lean more to the femine side than the masculine side. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: Mercer 9 drops thriller to KC
It was a game both teams were trying to win — it just seemed as though neither wanted to — as Kennedy Catholic High baseball team met Mercer Friday afternoon in an inter-region District 10 affair.
The teams traded late leads before, ultimately, Scott Moore’s fielder’s choice RBI-grounder scored pinch-runner Ethan Feldmiller with the game-winner, as KC captured an 11-10 conquest. -
NCAA Football: Rock 6-1 after 17-3 win over Cal U
Slippery Rock University rode a length-of-the-field scoring drive by its offense and a goal-line stand by its No. 1-ranked defense late in the first half of action Saturday to a 17-3 win over 14th-ranked visiting California (Pa.).
-
NFL: Steelers top Jags as Mendenhall makes return
Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to say the Pittsburgh Steelers are back. Not after watching his team sleepwalk through the second half against Jacksonville on Sunday.
-
IndyCar Racing: Crash takes Wheldon’s life
Every race car driver heads onto the track understanding this race could be the last and hoping it won’t be. On Sunday, IndyCar drivers got a harsh reminder when the worst happened to one of their own.
-
NHL: Sabres beat Penguins 3-2
The Buffalo Sabres have had trouble with the Pittsburgh Penguins whether Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin play or not.
-
NHL Quick glance: Montreal at Pittsburgh
A breakdown of the National Hockey League game Thursday night between the Pittsburgh Penguins and visiting Montreal Canadiens.
-
High School Highlights: Oct. 19, 2011
A look at the last few days in local high school fall sports action.
-
Leading Off: Oct. 19, 2011
News and notes from the local, regional and national sports scene.
- More Sports Headlines
-
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
