Ever seen an event so blindly self-important expose so many flaws, cracks and detriments in the big picture? As if the WBC wasn't diluted enough by mass player defections before the tournament, the predominant theme this month has been injuries -- and how they ultimately could hamper or ruin the seasons of 30 franchises impatiently waiting for this ill-timed marketing nonsense to end. The messages are mixed and the priorities askew, hardly a surprising development when the architect of the event is none other than Bud Selig, who told a thin U.S. media contingent that things are going wonderfully.
Of course, this is the man who stood inside press boxes and spoke of baseball's "renaissance'' as sluggers were dropping trou downstairs for their steroids shots.
"The TV ratings have been spectacular, and the crowds are running pretty good,'' the commissioner said. "Everybody in baseball has said, 'We need to do more internationally.' Well, this is our foray into that, and I think it's been remarkable."
Remarkable in its American irrelevance, that is.
First of all, Bud, TV ratings have been good in Asia and Latin America, but they've been abysmal in the U.S., the market that counts. And if Selig thinks crowds of 8,000 and 10,000 are "pretty good,'' his expectations must not be high, yet another reason to doubt why he's going through with the WBC. To decipher him, they're putting on the event so a few countries can think they're actually competing for the ultimate prize, apparently unaware that rosters are watered down, many pitchers have been shut down by their parent ballclubs and the pitchers that are participating are on pitch counts and other restrictions. Yes, it's obvious in the eyes of players and fans from other countries that this is serious business to them. But if they knew better, they'd realize the WBC is a Selig exhibition intended to grow the game -- and make lots of money in competition with the NFL, NBA and other leagues for the almighty global sports buck. When David Wright blooped a rainbow down the right-field line in a Miami football stadium, driving in the final two U.S. runs in a 6-5 victory over Puerto Rico, the moment was greeted by about 10,000 partisan fans in an announced crowd of 13,224. Americans know what fans in other nations don't.
This is a bogus event that should shut down and never return, unless Selig can figure a way to convince dozens of exhausted players to try the WBC in November.
Latest World Baseball Classic Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: A Japanese fan cheers for his team as they play against Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Tae Kyun Kim #52 of Korea swings at a pitch against Japan during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tae Kyun Kim
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of Japan sits on the bench in between innings against Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ichiro Suzuki
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of Japan swings at a pitch from Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ichiro Suzuki
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Yu Darvish #11 of Japan pitches against Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yu Darvish
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Yu Darvish #11 of Japan pitches against Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yu Darvish
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO - MARCH 17: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of Japan waits for a pitch from Korea during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Round 2 Pool 1 Game 4 on March 17, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ichiro Suzuki
Getty Images
Team Japan starting pitcher Yu Darvish watches from the dugout in the seventh inning against Team Korea during Round 2 of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego, California March 17, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
Reuters
Team Japan's Kenji Johjima reacts to being called out on strikes as Team Korea catcher Park Kyung-Oan watches in the sixth inning during Round 2 of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego, California March 17, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)
Reuters
Japan's Ichiro Suzuki watches his ground ball out in the fifth inning that drove in a run against South Korea during their World Baseball Classic game at PETCO Park in San Diego Tuesday, March 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
AP
While it's nice to hear some love-thy-nation banter from American players, the smart folks realize the lads are just relieved not to be embarrassed again. Wasn't the mercy rule applied over the weekend in a 10-run loss to the same Puerto Ricans? Didn't U.S. manager Davey Johnson, who showed up late for that game while attending his stepson's wedding, suggest he would forfeit Tuesday's game rather than risk injuring another player? Isn't that the biggest indictment yet of why the WBC can't be a serious competition when the predominant concern is protecting players for their rightful owners? In trying to serve two masters, the WBC is serving neither, making it difficult to get jazzed even as the players are jacked.
"That situation is what you dream about when you're a kid," Wright said. "The United States of America -- you've got that across the front of your chest. To be able to get that hit, that's got to be right up there at the top of the list."
Said Kevin Youkilis: "You're celebrating a game. You're celebrating a nation."
But they're the only ones celebrating. In camps in Florida and Arizona, teams are sweating bullets and hoping that wounded WBC participants don't sabotage seasons. Take Terry Francona, manager of the Red Sox. He saw the reigning American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia, limp away from the competition with an abdominal strain. Then he saw Daisuke Matsuzaka throw 86 pitches in six innings for Japan. What if Pedroia's injury lingers and Dice-K wears down? Think the people in Boston won't be ready to camp outside Selig's office, build a fire and dangle him to the flames?
"It just makes you nervous. That's all. Not being critical of anybody. It just makes you nervous,'' Francona told ESPN.com. "It's hard. You try to do the right thing. But ultimately, we have to put our organization first. We have to. It's how we make our living. So it's difficult."
He's not alone. The Braves have to deal with Chipper Jones and his oblique strain. Ryan Braun will return to the Brewers with a rib-cage issue. Matt Lindstrom, closer for the Marlins, has a strained rotator cuff. Sure, injuries can occur in a normal spring-training camp, too, but the WBC creates intense competition in early March before U.S. players are ready. If you're wondering why so many American are hobbling, it's likely because our players don't play winter ball as they do in Asia and Latin nations. Their bodies are accustomed to a gradual preparation process in March and are more liable to break down when thrown into the immediate fire.
Which is why Johnson, who had to use backup catcher Brian McCann in left field Sunday against the Netherlands, said he would forfeit if necessary. "I damn sure wouldn't want to be lynched or hung up in some city if I put Youkilis behind the dish or something," he said of the Boston first baseman. "I'd definitely had to gone out and said we had to forfeit this ballgame. Yeah, I'd forfeit it."
So let me get this straight. In an event Selig is trying to build into an international extravaganza, the U.S. manager would forfeit a WBC game to protect the Red Sox. I rest my case. This junk is not worth anyone's bother any longer, not with a 162-game season and October ahead. "I understand if any organization was pretty upset about somebody getting injured here,'' Team USA shortstop Derek Jeter said. "So you do understand it, but I think it's something you just have to deal with.''
No, we don't have to deal with it. Just file away the WBC as a bad idea. Team USA may have advanced to this weekend's festivities at Dodger Stadium, but the team still is dogged by the lingering stench of a near-international incident. Imagine the indignity of our guys needing to send a purpose-pitch message to the Netherlands. That's what Lindstrom did after allowing a inconsequential home run, taking exception to how Bryan Englehardt admired the shot by throwing behind the next batter. Players emerged from the Netherlands dugout and pointed at Lindstrom, who would leave the game early and have an MRI that revealed his injury.
All we can ask is: Why?
"It was to send a message, a little bit,'' Lindstrom said. "I don't know. It's early still in March, and stuff like that. I thought that he took a little bit too long. He knew he got it. Whatever. I wasn't trying to hit him."
Said Englehardt: "I hit the home run, and the guy is a major-league pitcher, so you need to shake it off. I don't see why he threw the ball at his head."
"I think it's one thing to throw inside, establish a ball inside," Netherlands manager Rod Delmonico said. "But to throw it up around someone's head and throw behind his head, there's no room for that anywhere, especially at the World Baseball Classic. I thought that was classless, to be honest with you."
At least the Americans overcame that national smudge and have a chance to win the event. With that trophy and $5.75, you might be able to buy a Dodger Dog at the concession stand.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-18-2009 @ 9:12AM
easy7179 said...
i'm confused, ms. paris mariotti? you complain about the lack of superstars participating in the wbc, then complain about the ones that do getting hurt. so which is it? should we have all the best players from all the teams, or none at all?
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 10:19AM
ed344mu said...
I guess no one gets injured during the regular spring training games. It seems to me that Fernando Perez of the Rays dislocated his wrist trying to make a shoestring catch in a meaningless preseason game. I can see teams wanting to protect their players but injuries can happen anytime.Maybe, November would be a better time for these games. Baseball's Rider Cup!
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 10:53AM
joeomar said...
It's a dumb event but concerns over injuries are equally dumb. If a player can't make it through a few watered-down faux baseball games, what are they doing in the sport in the first place? They're baseball players. That means they're supposed to be able to play baseball. It's bizarre to coddle and protect someone from the very thing that they're supposed to be doing. Protect them from motorcycle accidents, enraged-spouse syndrome, excessive-bling strains, who cares - just not their own sport.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 11:38AM
ghl40 said...
Jay; What a wuss you are. The same goes with all the players and managers that believe like so. Learn from the soccer players in Europe that will do anything to play for their Country in the World Cup.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 12:43PM
yayabats said...
Another myopic opinion. Let me see now the only baseball worth being concerned about is the Major League. Interesting a business of selfishness being the center plate of a great game. Obviously you have never followed the sport. Personally watching a good college game or minor league contest where for some it is the love of the game and the dream of the future that provides incentive rather than how much money they will pocket. The ethno centrism, that players around the world, yes some of them professionals but many who have just taken up the game of baseball because it is the an amazing game to play and if one understands it to be wrapped up in is unimportant. For players in many countries this is their only avenue to prove that they too belong in the game. Myself as an ex-patriot, former community college coach, former D-1 player and now coach in a former Iron Curtin country have experienced the look of awe when such amatures perform well against the best. Baseball is a womderful game, that this tournament yes is a commercial scheme is unimportant, it is also a driving force to bring the wonder of the game to the entire world and provide a place that for one day, a team like The Netherlands is equal to the best. Our world is united in the fact that it is round and finite. Americans would do wonders to realize that this tournament no matter what it means to them, especially since baseball has been taken from the Olympics is the highest dream of some kid who gives up Soccer, or Ice Hockey or endures the laughter of their friends to strive to live a dream and win a gold on the world stage. Where I coach my players after school do not get scholarships and to play in their prime must sacrafice. This championship is the greatest reward, to play against professional athletes, the best in the world and to succeed. Have you ever played, or is this just your fantasy escape?
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 12:52PM
corvus0486 said...
Ask Pudge Rodriguez if he'd rather wait til November to play. Play hard or go home.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 1:32PM
andreysvk said...
Reading the entire article over twice and then a trip to the toilet I need to respond. Yes baseball is a commercial sport, and Selig is not an international do gooder, he is trying to cash in on people who take pride in being selected to a national team. Maybe that is why pitchers will pitch six strong innings for Japan, it is their tradition to give their all, respect their peers and put their selves in jeopardy. It used to be the tradition of American players also. This is not the only sport where a professional has put his career ahead of the average person. What happened to the golden teams of basketball in the Olympics before the USA got a bit embarassed. It is a shame, baseball was removed from the Olympics for two reasons, one the response of management to doping. The other incredulously enough especially taking the tales of amature athletes like Jim Thorpe, that enough major league players did not play. I agree with other comments about injuries. If a player has a week spot, or takes a bad step an injuy can happen at any time. If one takes the logic of the writer, there should be clauses in contracts that go way beyond such anti injury clauses that exist now like no skiing, or motor cycle riding. No taking the logic of the writer, a professional athlete should do nothing that may cause them to not perform during a major league season at their highest level. No relationships, or families,might cause some stress or distraction from the important game of professional baseball. No spontaniety of any sort, rough housing with their kids, bowling on a weekday, walking across a street, playing frisbee with their dog, what unforseeable injuries might occur with such silliness.
So lets see, pride in oneself, commitment in a non nationalist way to ones homeland, competing for the joy of the event, willingness to do one of the greatest acts a human can do, make a sacrifice for the common good, need to be put aside to protect a game that has lost its way and become a total business. Whatever happened to the Lou Gehrigs, the guys who worked in factories all day and went out to a sandlot to relieve the stress? It is full now of people who lay down on the team and complain that a multi-million dollar contract is some form of underpayment. That Dutch team that you insult works hard. They also played some pretty good ball, did not embarass themselves. In fact the greatest embarassment to the game are comments and articles by people who see life through a horses blinders
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 1:57PM
rcampy39 said...
So lets see, the only injured players this spring are guys who played in the WBC. By your logic, there should be no spring training. In fact there should be no season, 150 out of 162 games being meaningless. There should just be a playoff in lets make it August when players don't have to worry about cold weather injuries and all games can be played outside in the night for a better audience. You take no enjoyment in the game itself. Go watch a rookie league game some day. If you love the game for its essence not for its riches as you make a hypocritical self contradicting claim there you will see genuine talent, running out every pop up, diving, sliding, sprinting on and off the field and playing any inning they can regardless of a sore ankle or stuffed up nose.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 2:31PM
wigz said...
you are something else, mariotti....realizing that your last blog post got zero interest because you didn't disagree with anything, you go ahead and call out the WBC after an electrifying come-from-behind win by the USA.....you really are a piece of work.
But you will always be like this, because you probably never enjoyed any success on the baseball field, basketball court, or football field....or any field for that matter.......so, with a chip on your shoulder, you write negative after negative behind a pen or a keyboard, and a bunch of beta males love you for it because you say the asanine things they r too afraid to say.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 2:47PM
rcampy39 said...
Just had to say a couple of more things. You must be a North Sider of course, arrogance, ignorance combined with a history of crying over spilt milk. Playing in a football stadium, hmm interesting, I thought in the summer the Marlins played there, oh not enough super stars to qualify as a baseball team I imagine. I think what really gets me is what purpose does this article play? Who are you out to hurt? Does it really bug you that pampered super stars are asked to put out? Does it really bother you that you need excuses for the USA struggling? Davey Johnson's attitude is not something to bring up as an example of why there should not be a multi national championship. He is there as a member of the old boy's club, as I imagine somehow you also gained your status. Even in that capacity as old boy's club manager of the year, he raved over the attitude of the Dutch players, you see many of them come from former Dutch colonies, some have great talent and this is their chance to showcase it. Dutch players who play all year in Holland if paid are paid a mere stipend. Many work full time jobs, practice maybe an hour or two a day, most less than that. Actually I am not writing this to you, as you either have your mind made up (closed) or are just milking a story line to make your living. I am hoping my replies make sense to thosse that might be reading the comments and brings to them another side of this Classic. It is not now a Classic, and if you fear mongers do not stop it, it surely one day will be. Baseball originates from England, and from a Russian game called Lobtu. It was played mostly by immigrants, people of color were banned. I am a coach and teacher, and I can tell you there are opportunities to teach incredible lessons of life through the game of baseball and anything that brings this game to the international level is something that deserves support.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 2:51PM
Rod Campuzano said...
I don´t get your point Mr Mariotti, the WBC is a new event and of course it will have flaws, specially when having to make concesions with Major League Teams for they to allow MLB players to participate. It will get better with time sepcially when fans support it more and more.
When this happens, players will be more willing to participate, to the point of doing their best to win a spot in the National Team, as soccer players of many countries, including the US, do.
The MLB teams will encourage their players to go to the WBC because it will be better promotion for them, meaning more tickets sold.
Regarding injuries, don´t players get hurt in Spring Training games? even training without playing, like ARod this year. Don´t you think that the team with the most injuries (USA) is the team least supporting to the WBC. Had they taken this more seriously, they would have gotten there better prepares and less injury prone. And as preparation goes, players participating will be better prepared at season start than players who have being playing half speed in Spring Training.
As USA team felt yesterday, defending one´s country is the best thing that can happen to a player and I am sure next time they will do it better and with more passion. Like the many other countries who give everything in the field to win a game for tehir country.
By the way your name is italian, right? Team Italy, a soccer nation, went to BWC and deffended their country pride with diginity.
Don´t be so closed minded, and just enjoy the WBC and hope it grows for the best of Baseball
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 3:07PM
BobbleCabeza said...
What prevents the American players from preparing like the players from other countries?
Reply
3-20-2009 @ 12:14PM
david said...
all i hear is ranting and complaining about players getting injured during the offseason of MLB. if players want to play in the WBC, who are we to say anything? if they play to the extent of an injury, who are we to say when to stop? a lot of players have pride in playing for their country and it's proven in the WBC. no need to cry and moan about it just because players you may like could end up getting injured. throw away the WBC, HAH! sounds like someone's afraid of losing to another country.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 3:15PM
bikutad said...
You are missing the whole point. I think it's great to see baseball at this level being played not for money, not for personal stats, but for pride and the joy of representing one's country.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 3:35PM
face844 said...
What a tone-deaf column. Jay Mariotti writes about killing of the classic the morning after a genuinely riveting Team USA triumph? I'd say this is a pretty lame attempt to stoke controversy.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 3:53PM
Yoonit said...
Typical myopic viewpoint.
I sometimes wonder if talking heads like Jay and Skip Bayless really believe in their takes, or do they simply go with the most attention-grabbing, obstinate thought possible.
It's fine if the U.S. team and casual fans don't take the competition seriously, but don't diminish the work and accomplishments of teams such as the Netherlands, Korea, and Japan. The Asian and Latin teams truly do take a tremendous amount of pride in their national team. And in the case of the Korean team, success may even exempt members from the mandatory military service which can rob players of crucial years in their careers.
I doubt that Jay watched the Korea v Japan game last night. I thought it was a very well played and exciting game. This in spite of a late start time and 3hr+ game time. The Korean fans created a great atmosphere and made the stadium sound like it was packed for the entire game. It was far superior to a mid-season game between my Royals and the Texas Rangers.
Last night's game had all the elements that makes sports great: fierce rivalry, tremendous emotion/passion by both players and fans, great skill, beauty and attention to detail.
Reply
3-18-2009 @ 4:37PM
yayabats said...
I truly enjoyed your comments. I am an ex-pat living in Ukraine. Ukraine is the 8th best national team in Europe. Our main problem is money but our secondary problem is keeping players when they do not see any future. Our funding comes as under the old system from the sports committee. Once baseball was removed from the Olympics much of the funding dried up. Once we were the pride of the USSR national team with more than half the players coming from Ukraine and over 15 active clubs. Now we are down to 5 active clubs in the first division, divided by who has money and government sponsor ( the head coach of the Nataional team, and the main team, is also a member of the current sport committee so the money goes to his team and over 80% of national team members come from his team). I have started a small wooden bat company with the hopes profits can go to keeping baseball alive here. If you read the comments I made comments under three names ( as this email got long winded thought my thoughts were important. If you would like to correspond and know more about Ukraine baseball please write me Andy Weissman yayabatsua@aol.com or check out my web site yayabats.com I thought your comments were concise and well said.
thanks andy
3-18-2009 @ 5:55PM
madelyn said...
I don't know how you can like baseball, but not like this event. It gives real baseball fans an opportunity to see great teams, such as the Cubans and Koreans, who are normally not on television.
One reason why this event has not interested a large portion of the American population is because the the main stream media continue to dismiss this event. Furthermore, I get the feeling that many of the columists who have written these articles, Marotti included, have not even watched any of the games. I would love for these columists to watch tonight's Cuba vs. Japan game (which promises to be great) but I'm sure they will not.
Reply
3-19-2009 @ 9:36AM
Bman said...
I personally enjoyed watching the WBC so far. It is really exciting to see the talent from around the world. I think the regular baseball season is much more boring than the WBC.
As far as Jay Mariotti; I think he must be a troll that wants attention. I would hope that fanhouse.com would no longer post his opinions on their site.
Reply