984 replies to this topic

[behindthepen]

Official WCOB site from mlb

more info on the WCOB ....

the semi-final/final will be played at Petco, of all places. I suppose in order to keep the score/IP as low as possible.

This is basically set up so that the US will skate into the semi's, and wind up facing either Venez, PR or DR in the final.

Participating Countries:
Pool A: China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea
Pool B: Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA
Pool C: Cuba, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico
Pool D: Australia, Domincan Republic, Italy, Venezuela

Sunday, February 26 Pool A Players report to training camps  
Friday, March 3 Pool A Round 1: First day of games Japan   Pool B Players report to training camps  
  Pool C Players report to training camps  
  Pool D Players report to training camps  
Saturday, March 4 Pool A Round 1: Second day of games Japan
Sunday, March 5 Pool A Round 1: Final day of games Japan
Wednesday, March 8 Pool B Round 1: First day of games USA
  Pool C Round 1: First day of games Puerto Rico
  Pool D Round 1: First day of games USA
Thursday, March 9 Pool B Round 1: Second day of games USA
  Pool C Round 1: Second day of games Puerto Rico
  Pool D Round 1: Second day of games USA
Friday, March 10 Pool B Round 1: Third day of games USA
  Pool C Round 1: Third day of games Puerto Rico
  Pool D Round 1: Third day of games USA
Saturday, March 11 Pool B Round 1: Final day of games USA
  Pool C Round 1: Final day of games Puerto Rico
  Pool D Round 1: Final day of games USA
Monday, March 13 Pools 1 & 2 Round 2: First day of games USA, Puerto Rico
Tuesday, March 14 Pools 1 & 2 Round 2: Second day of games USA, Puerto Rico
Monday, March 15 Pools 1 & 2 Round 2: Final day of games USA, Puerto Rico
Saturday, March 18 Semi-Finals Two Games PETCO Park, San Diego, CA
Monday, March 20 Final   PETCO Park, San Diego, CA

from the FAQ:

the most interesting part of the FAQ:
"Q: When will MLB players report to their National Team training camps?
A: Players under contract with Major League Baseball organizations selected to represent Japan, China, Chinese Taipei or Korea will be required to report to National Team training camps on Sunday, February 26. MLB contracted players representing any of the other 12 participating countries will be required to report to National Team training camps on Friday, March 3, 2006.

Q: Will players report to their MLB Clubs spring training camps before the World Baseball Classic?
A: MLB players will be required to report to their Club spring training camps on their normal reporting date. Training facilities will be made available at Major League spring training sites for players that wish to report early in order to ready themselves for competition. Players under Major League and Minor League contracts will rejoin their respective Club's regular spring training as their National teams are eliminated from the tournament.

Q: Where will National Team training camps take place?
A: Participating Asian countries will host their National Team training camps in either their home countries or in Japan. All other participating teams (with the possible exception of Cuba) will be hosted at training camps in North America (most likely at MLB spring training facilities).

Q: Will National Teams play exhibition games?
A: National Teams participating in the Round 1 pool in Asia will likely play exhibition games against NPB teams in Japan in the days leading up to the tournament. Similarly, National Teams participating in the other Round 1 pools (located in the U.S. and Latin America) will likely play exhibition games against MLB teams at spring training venues in the U.S. in the days leading up to the tournament. It is also anticipated that the two qualifying teams from the Round 1 pool in Asia will play exhibition games against MLB teams at spring training venues in the days leading up to the second round of games. "

edit: added emphasis

Edited by behindthepen, 21 March 2006 - 08:42 AM.

[amh03]

My predicted winners for each pool:

Pool A -- Japan
Pool B -- US
Pool C -- Cuba
Pool D -- Dominican Republic

If I'm reading it correctly Pools A & B will play eachother and C vs. D. So, I'd predict US and Dominican Republic as winners.

Final? Dominican Republic

I can't wait for this thing -- I think it'll be fun...assuming quality players end up playing.

[PedroisGod]

I believe the top 2 teams from each pool advance to the next round.

My predictions:

Pool A: Japan, Korea
Pool B: USA, Canada
Pool C: Puerto Rico, Cuba
Pool D: Dominican Republic, Venezuela

I think the US will be carried into the finals by their pitching, with the DR ultimately winning.

Having ARod, Pujols, Manny, Soriano, Tejada, J. Guillen, Papi, Guerrero is simply unfair. That's 3 MVP's, (could be 5 by the time it starts), plus 2 Cy Young award winners starting and a solid pen. Wow.

However, the USA's "B", "C", and "D" teams would still have the best pitching in the tournament.

I can't wait for this to get going. Go Canada.

Edited by PedroisGod, 09 November 2005 - 10:29 PM.

[ShoelessJoe]

Having ARod, Pujols, Manny, Soriano, Tejada, J. Guillen, Papi, Guerrero is simply unfair. That's 3 MVP's, (could be 5 by the time it starts), plus 2 Cy Young award winners starting and a solid pen. Wow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Manny is an American citizen though. Is he eligible to play for the DR?

edit: Evidently he is.
from the web site:
"The tournament gives the Dominicans a chance to strut their stuff for the first time on the international stage with a roster that could include such top Major Leaguer sluggers as Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, Sammy Sosa and Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles and Adrian Beltre of the Seattle Mariners. The pitching staff could include Pedro Martinez of the New York Mets and Bartolo Colon of the Angels."

So how is eligibility determined, anyway? Could Manny opt to play for the U.S., or is it determined ny birth?

Edited by ShoelessJoe, 09 November 2005 - 10:48 PM.

[Jim Gosger]

Manny is an American citizen though. Is he eligible to play for the DR?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He is a naturalized US citizen, but he was born in the DR. So I believe he has dual citizenship and may choose to play for either team.

What surprises me, though, is Arod. I heard he was going to play for the DR and I thought he was born in this country.

[Spacemans Bong]

He is a naturalized US citizen, but he was born in the DR.  So I believe he has dual citizenship and may choose to play for either team.

What surprises me, though, is Arod.  I heard he was going to play for the DR and I thought he was born in this country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

His parents are from the Dominican Republic, which makes him eligible to play for the Dominican Republic.

[ShoelessJoe]

Jim, dual citizenship doesn't work that way. It's actually pretty hard to have it nowadays. Children of international marriages often have it. For example, both of my kids are dual citizens of Japan and the US, but are expected to choose one or the other when they become adults.

But when one becomes a naturalized citezen as Manny did, you have to renounce your citizenship to your birth country. It would be highly unlikely that Manny is a dual citizen (although it is possible.)

Edited by ShoelessJoe, 09 November 2005 - 10:59 PM.

[ShoelessJoe]

OK. From the web site:

Q: Who is eligible to play in the World Baseball Classic?
A: The following are the criteria for a player to be eligible to play on a team participating in the World Baseball Classic:
• The player is a citizen of the nation the team represents, as evidenced by a valid passport the player holds as of January 15, 2006; or
• The player is a permanent legal resident of the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by documentation satisfactory to World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF; or
• The player was born in the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by a birth certi cate or its equivalent; or
• The player has one parent who is, or if deceased was, a citizen of the nation the team represents, as evidenced by a passport or other documentation satisfactory to World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF; or
• The player has one parent who was born in the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by a birth certi cate or its equivalent. (Additionally, if a player has ancestral ties to a participating country/territory such that, in his and the participating country's/territory's opinion, the player should be declared eligible to play for that country/territory, they may petition World Baseball Classic Inc. for a declaration of his eligibility. Such petition will be granted if World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF jointly determine that the player's participation is justi ed, and further reasonably can be seen as promoting international baseball. In the event a player is eligible to play on more than one team, the player may select the team for which he wishes to play, provided that nothing shall prohibit such a player from declaring his willingness to play for any team for which he is eligible to play.)

So basically, the eligibility is pretty open. Sounds like if you want to play for a country and have some kind of connection to it, you're cool.

[Spacemans Bong]

Jim, dual citizenship doesn't work that way. It's actually pretty hard to have it nowadays. Children of international marriages often have it. For example, both of my kids are dual citizens of Japan and the US, but are expected to choose one or the other when they become adults.

But when one becomes a naturalized citezen as Manny did, you have to renounce your citizenship to your birth country. It would be highly unlikely that Manny is a dual citizen (although it is possible.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you sure? I'm almost certain this is not the case. Generally issues with dual nationality come from the other country involved, and not the US. Short of serving in a foreign army in a country hostile to the US, you pretty much can't lose US citizenship unless you ask for it.

From the State Department:

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.

I think this is backed up by a few Supreme Court decisions as well.

OK. From the web site:

So basically, the eligibility is pretty open. Sounds like if you want to play for a country and have some kind of connection to it, you're cool.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Other than the whole heritage bit (most sports cut it off at grandparent, although this sounds like anybody with an Italian surname could play for Italy), that is pretty much par for the course for international sports.

Edited by Spacemans Bong, 09 November 2005 - 11:08 PM.

[ShoelessJoe]

Are you sure? I'm almost certain this is not the case. Generally issues with dual nationality come from the other country involved, and not the US. Short of serving in a foreign army in a country hostile to the US, you pretty much can't lose US citizenship unless you ask for it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, I'm not sure, and I'm willing to concede the point because my trip just now to the State & DHS web sites to dig up info is giving me horrifying flashbacks of the beaurocratic nightmare that was my wife's green card application process. Good lord, the paperwork ... the paperwork. Sorry.

I was pretty sure you had to renounce your foreign citizenship when becoming a US citizen though. Still, this derailment has gone on long enough.

[Tangled Up In Red]

The player has one parent who was born in the nation or territory the team represents, as evidenced by a birth certi cate or its equivalent. (Additionally, if a player has ancestral ties to a participating country/territory such that, in his and the participating country's/territory's opinion, the player should be declared eligible to play for that country/territory, they may petition World Baseball Classic Inc. for a declaration of his eligibility. Such petition will be granted if World Baseball Classic Inc. and the IBAF jointly determine that the player's participation is justi ed, and further reasonably can be seen as promoting international baseball. In the event a player is eligible to play on more than one team, the player may select the team for which he wishes to play, provided that nothing shall prohibit such a player from declaring his willingness to play for any team for which he is eligible to play.)

This is absurd!!! Under these rules I can play for (not that I would be selected by [though I can steal a base if necessary]):
USA
England
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
India
Israel
Ireland
Wales
Russia
Ukraine
Poland
France
Belgium
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Romania
probably many other of the former SSRs and other nations

But I choose to represent Idaho. I wish I had ancestry from Lichtenstein.

Silly.

[behindthepen]

OK. From the web site:

So basically, the eligibility is pretty open. Sounds like if you want to play for a country and have some kind of connection to it, you're cool.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Part of the reason for the flexibility I think is to ensure that teams like Italy can field enough players.

I can't wait to see who the starting shortstop is going to be for DR and US ... A-Rod was pretty emphatic he wants to play for the DR.

USA Manager prospects are:

Buck Martinez, Lloyd McClendon, Art Howe, Davey Johnson, Bob Boone and Don Baylor are among the top contenders. Johnson is in the Phoenix area this week as manager of the U.S. team that will compete in an Olympic qualifier scheduled for Nov. 17-19.

edit for clarity

Edited by behindthepen, 10 November 2005 - 09:43 AM.

[Country Sinker]

Tommy Lasorda has been named an ambassador.
No further details.
I do not know if he is the "U.S. Ambassador."
Or of he is the only one or there are a number of baseball peeps named to the post(s)?

[Chico Walker and the Man]

Tommy Lasorda has been named an ambassador.
No further details.
I do not know if he is the "U.S. Ambassador."
Or of he is the only one or there are a number of baseball peeps named to the post(s)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I saw an outfield of Barry Bonds, Andrew Jones, and Gary Sheffield, I would feel comfortable with the American offense.

But I agree the American pitching would be the centerpiece for a team which would definitely make the finals....assuming top players participate.

[CaptainLaddie]

If I saw an outfield of Barry Bonds, Andrew Jones, and Gary Sheffield, I would feel comfortable with the American offense.

But I agree the American pitching would be the centerpiece for a team which would definitely make the finals....assuming top players participate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Something tells me that Andruw Jones will be playing for the Netherlands.

[Butch Hobsons elbo chips]

Mike Piazza was discussing playing for Italy where he is eligible even though he grew up in Norristown, PA.


BTW, batting Andrew Jones ahead of Hensley "bam-bam" Meulans (sic?) could be lethal.

Edited by Butch Hobsons elbo chips, 29 November 2005 - 09:10 PM.

[behindthepen]

more on the schedule ....
Pool C: Cuba, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico will be playing in San Juan.
Pool D: Australia, Domincan Republic, Italy, Venezuela will be playing at Disney World.
Pool B: Canada, Mexico, South Africa, USA will play in Arizona.

Round 2 will be in Anaheim and Puerto Rico.

[Spacemans Bong]

Mike Piazza was discussing playing for Italy where he is eligible even though he grew up in Norristown, PA.
BTW, batting Andrew Jones ahead of Hensley "bam-bam" Meulans (sic?) could be lethal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If he has a grandparent eligible for Italy, that's actually pretty de rigeur for international sport.

[Country Sinker]

The Tribune says that agent Jeff Borris confirmed that Bonds has informed the Major League Baseball Players Association that he plans to participate.
"It's not official," Borris said. "There are still a few details to be worked out. But he has agreed to play."


Bonds may play for US Team

Edited by Country Sinker, 30 November 2005 - 03:17 PM.

[behindthepen]

There's supposed to be a press conference on Monday at the Winter Meetings, so there should be lots of incremental goodies on the Classic.

Sounds like Cuba is leaning towards coming. If not, Nicaragua would take their place. Cuba is not happy that Livan Hernandez has said he would play with PR.

Here's a list of some players committed so far (from theMiami Herald ):

... former Marlins Carlos Delgado, Pudge Rodriguez, Mike Lowell (Puerto Rico) and Hee Seop Choi (Korea); current Marlins Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) and Dontrelle Willis (U.S.); All-Stars Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada and Pedro Martinez (Dominican Republic) and future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens (U.S.).  Mariners All-Star right fielder Ichiro Suzuki will play for Japan.

from sportsline

The Puerto Rican team for the Classic will include Mets first basemen Carlos Delgado, Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and Baltimore Orioles catcher Javier Lopez. -- Pitchers Joel Pineiro, J.C. Romero and Juan Padilla

[Country Sinker]

Castro Confirms Cuba will field a team in the World Baseball Classic

Cuba is slated to play in Group C with the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico, with games to be played at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

[Country Sinker]

Pedro & Tejada will play for DR Team

[CaptainLaddie]

Pedro & Tejada will play for DR Team

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Awesome. Even though I'm rooting for the USA, I know I'll be hoping the DR does well.

[Pearl Wilson]

It's not a given though. Pedro also said this: I still can't run.

[PedroisGod]

My home country takes a big hit as Rich Harden won't be playing:

- Pitcher Rich Harden is ahead of schedule in his rehab from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Beane said the rehab would prevent Harden from pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Link

[Country Sinker]

I think the DR looks good Cap Laddie, but Venezuela will have the pitching:

Freddie to join Venezuela's stellar rotation

Garcia will join a powerful rotation that will include the winner of the 2004 Cy Young prize -- Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cub Carlos Zambrano and Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Edited by Country Sinker, 04 December 2005 - 12:23 PM.

[Rheal With Cheese]

WBC press conference from Winter Meetings tomorrow. I had hoped this would be the start of some major PR for the event, but it looks like they're only announcing about 15 players.

There's been absolutely no marketing whatsoever, and considering the tourney starts 3 months from yesterday, I can't believe things are progressing so slowly.

San Diego Union-Tribune article

"Our concentration is on putting on a great show and filling the ballpark and doing justice to Petco and the city of San Diego," Alderson said. "We need to create some public recognition of this tournament and anticipation."

In a short amount of time that's growing shorter every day.

I wonder if they'll miss the opportunity to sell merchandise over the holidays, but considering they let the World Series go by with no marketing (I don't recall any, but maybe missed it), I don't know.

I think the relaxed nationality rules (Piazza/Italy) aren't the way to go. With all due respect to Cumberland's own Rocco Baldelli, I can't imagine Italians over in Italy getting jazzed up rooting for or a team full of guys who haven't set foot on their soil. If the objective is, in fact, to grow the game in these countries, I don't know if this is the best way to go about it. I hope I'm wrong and that the Italians etc rally behind these guys and the whole thing is a huge success.

SD SoSHers take note, tickets go on sale 12/12 for the games at PETCO.

[singaporesoxfan]

I think the DR looks good Cap Laddie, but Venezuela will have the pitching:

Freddie to join Venezuela's stellar rotation

Garcia will join a powerful rotation that will include the winner of the 2004 Cy Young prize -- Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cub Carlos Zambrano and Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was that just bad phrasing, or are they really putting K-Rod in the rotation?

[biollante]

I'm rooting for the Dutch. We need an upset early.

[Country Sinker]

Was that just bad phrasing, or are they really putting K-Rod in the rotation?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bad phrasing I would imagine.

[Soxfan in Fla]

Jim, dual citizenship doesn't work that way. It's actually pretty hard to have it nowadays. Children of international marriages often have it. For example, both of my kids are dual citizens of Japan and the US, but are expected to choose one or the other when they become adults.

But when one becomes a naturalized citezen as Manny did, you have to renounce your citizenship to your birth country. It would be highly unlikely that Manny is a dual citizen (although it is possible.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No longer true Shoeless Joe. I am 32 now and was born a dual citizen like your children (UK and US) and have never had to choose one or the other.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

I haven't seen this anywhere, but I imagine they won't be adopting the IOC drug testing program. As that could certainly affect who will choose to participate.

Edit: I should have looked harder before posting. From the FAQ's page

Q: Is there an anti-doping policy for the World Baseball Classic?
A: All players on provisional and nal rosters will be subject to Olympic-style drug testing in accordance with an Anti-Doping Agreement signed by MLB, the MLBPA and the IBAF.

Which leads to me ask, what are the "provisional and nal rosters"? Are these non-MLB players?

Edit II: I found half my answer this time.

Federations will be required to submit provisional rosters no later than 45 days prior to the commencement of the tournament.

Still not sure what the "nal roster" is or if all players will be subject to "Olympic-style drug testing"? Can anyone confirm whether the current MLB tesing program would meet the defition of "Olympic-style drug testing" or if this would impose additional testing on MLB players?

Edited by Bucknahs Bum Ankle, 05 December 2005 - 02:28 PM.

[kwa1430]

Does anyone have a website with the expected rosters for the teams? I am interested who will be suiting up for the good old USA.

[Rossox]

I go to MLB's site for information WBC.

SD SoSHers take note, tickets go on sale 12/12 for the games at PETCO.

Are any SoSHers going to make the trip? Flights out of Boston are pretty cheap right now.

[behindthepen]

There's a link on the offical WBC web site (see the first post) that lists all of the committed MLB players.
I haven't heard anywhere of a specific limit on the number of players per team. But 5 Sox have been named as possible Participants
Papi
Manny
Varitek
Lowell (PR) and
Mirabelli (Italy)

ONly 3 yanks are listed (Jeter, arod, Cano) ... and arod doesn't have a country affiliation!

Looks like Minn has the most commits with 8 players.

[PedroKsBambino]

The DR lineup is going to be something like:

Soriano
Tejada
Pujols
Ortiz
Vlad
Manny
Beltre
Pena
Castillo

How the heck does any pitcher get through the 2-6 spots here? Yikes. And yes, if I were the manager I'd put the five best hitters in the first five spots and Soriano lower, too, because of OBP. But that's not going to happen.

Edited by PedroKsBambino, 05 December 2005 - 05:20 PM.

[SoxFanPJ]

I go to MLB's site for information WBC.
Are any SoSHers going to make the trip?  Flights out of Boston are pretty cheap right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Petco is a great park to watch baseball in, looks like they are selling the tickets as a package, you have to buy a ticket to each semi-final and the final game all together. I am going to try to attend.

[Country Sinker]

World Baseball Classic Rosters

[behindthepen]

How the heck does any pitcher get through the 2-6 spots here?  Yikes.  And yes, if I were the manager I'd put the five best hitters in the first five spots and Soriano lower, too, because of OBP.  But that's not going to happen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The US won't have to face them until the final game. And that will be in Petco, the place where sluggers go to die. For 9 innings, we could shut them down

If not ...
Bonds LF
Griffey CF
Yankees 1Bman whose name I can't spell RF
Varitek C
Derrick Lee 1B
Utley 2B
Jeter SS
Wright 3B (or arod?)

could have a say ...

[Country Sinker]

Here's a link to the tidbit I posted earlier re: Lasorda's ambassador role:

Lasorda named World Baseball Classic Ambassador

[PedroisGod]

I believe A-Rod is playing for the Dominican, PKB.

Their line-up will look more like:

(in no particular order)

2B Soriano
SS Tejada
3B A-Rod
1B Pujols
LF Manny
CF J. Guillen (or any other CF)
RF Vladdy
DH Papi
C Miguel Olivo?

[behindthepen]

I believe A-Rod is playing for the Dominican, PKB.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

FWIW, arod is NOT listed with a country on the WBC website. I think he's waiting to see which team has the best chance of winning.

[CaptainLaddie]

FWIW, arod is NOT listed with a country on the WBC website.  I think he's waiting to see which team has the best chance of winning.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good God, I just spit out my soda.

[LahoudOrBillyC]

FWIW, arod is NOT listed with a country on the WBC website.  I think he's waiting to see which team has the best chance of winning.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... and then they won't win ...

[kwa1430]

Who starts for the US at 1B? You might say Teixeira but dont forget we also have Lee as well as Berkman played alot of 1B last year.

2B? Young, Biggio or Utley

SS? Young, Jeter, Rollins

3B? Wright, Chavez or maybe Jones

OF
Wells
Jones
Damon
Crawford
Bonds
Berkman
Dunn

C Varitek over Mauer

[dauber23]

From the sounds of the posts, it seems like most of you think these games are a good idea. But I'm not sure I do, at least not as a fan of MLB and the Red Sox.

I don't like the idea of guys walking out of camp in Spring Training when their real teams are trying to get ready for the MLB Season.

I don't like the idea of teammates playing against each other, for their nations rather than their ball clubs.

I don't like the idea of guys risking injury--and maybe costing their real team a shot at something special--just to play in these games.

I don't like the idea of globalizing Big League Baseball--I don't have a problem with international players, but I hope I never see the day when MLB expands to Europe or Asia or even Mexico. I hope I never live to see the World Series played between the Boston Red Sox and the Rome Emperors. Yuk. I mean I loved the Babylon 5 television series a few years ago, but it made me sick whenever they talked about Earth Government.

Any thoughts?

[DJnVa]

I don't like the idea of globalizing Big League Baseball--I don't have a problem with international players, but I hope I never see the day when MLB expands to Europe or Asia or even Mexico. I hope I never live to see the World Series played between the Boston Red Sox and the Rome Emperors. Yuk. I mean I loved the Babylon 5 television series a few years ago, but it made me sick whenever they talked about Earth Government.

Well, I think it's pretty amazing that you may have provided me with a signature with your 3rd post ever.

Maybe I'm just missing the leap from World Cup to One World Government.

Edited by DJnVa, 08 December 2005 - 12:34 AM.

[dauber23]

Well, I think it's pretty amazing that you may have provided me with a signature with your 3rd post ever.

Maybe I'm just missing the leap from World Cup to One World Government.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Babylon 5 line was a joke. My point is I hope we don't mess up a good thing--MLB, the American pastime--just to try to generate international interest in baseball. What's the old saying--all baseball is local!

[502 to Right]

I don't like the idea of guys walking out of camp in Spring Training when their real teams are trying to get ready for the MLB Season.

I don't like the idea of teammates playing against each other, for their nations rather than their ball clubs.

I don't like the idea of guys risking injury--and maybe costing their real team a shot at something special--just to play in these games.

I don't like the idea of globalizing Big League Baseball

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They'd be playing meaningless ST games if they weren't involved in this so I don't think there is any extra risk of injury. As far as not working out with their own clubs--this isn't football--they're going to be practicing the same things anyway.

As far as one world government--I think this plan is the opposite. It gives me a chance to root for the USA to kick the ass out of the rest of the world. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Seriously, though, this is good for baseball. Enjoy it.

[thehitcat]

With or without ARod the dominican squad is loaded.

Tejada, Manny, Pooh-hole, Vlad, Papi in the middle of the lineup (who cares who plays center...or 2nd or 3rd or catches for that matter.) And your top two starters are Pedro and The Rotund One.

If this team doesn't roll I will be confused. They should blast whatever pitching they see and even if they don't they have plenty of pitching to keep them in it until they do explode.

BTW with ARod I bet he jumps to the Dominican team not because they have a better chance of winning (though they do) but because the US has Chavez already at the corner. I think the best Dominican 3B I saw was Pedro Feliz he'll start every game with the Dominican with the US he probably splits time.