Daniel Sbordone is a junior at Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT). He resides in Peabody, MA. He is currently studying sports broadcasting with a minor in marketing. He enjoys hanging out with friends, playing sports, and watching ball games. He has a great passion for Boston sports. After college, his aspirations are to be a sports broadcaster in the Boston market and to report on sporting events. Someday, he wishes to have his own sports TV and/or radio show. His twin brother, Matt, is an aspiring sports journalist. The announcement of a 16 team, 18 day World Baseball Classic was the major topic of discussion at the MLB All-Star Game in Detroit this past week. It's obviously good for the game. But, at what price?
The announcement of a 16 team, 18 day World Baseball Classic was the major topic of discussion at the MLB All-Star Game in Detroit this week. It's obviously good for the game. But, at what price?
Most players are willing to participate to represent their country in the March 2006 tournament. However, those "most players" are not American players or even American owners.
Guys like David Ortiz and Migeul Tejada (Dominican Republic), Carlos Lee and Bobby Abreu (Venezuela), and Andruw Jone (Caracas, The Netherlands) have all said publicly that they would play for their native country in a heartbeat. So, why do players in our home country (United States) wish not to participate in this baseball classic?
Since the tournament would start in March, right before the season, the risk of injury is certainly a possibility. But, in this case, its not the reason. The reason is money, money, and more money.
The number one villain I'm talking about is New York Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield. The USA needs Sheffield. He's an extraordinary talent. He's come out publicly stating he doesn't want to risk an injury right before the season while he's not getting paid.
Unbelievably pathetic. He said many players around the league feel this way. That’s really sad isn’t it?
MLB has to waive $100 bills in front of these American players to play in a tournament that many Latino players are playing for free with pride and patriotism for their home country. This should be a no-brainer for an American player to represent that only your team, but your entire country to play against the best baseball players around the world.
Not only are American players against it, owners are as well. They don't want their players to risk injury in a preseason tournament. George Steinbrenner has said he will not let any of his Yankee players participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Oh, relief. Gary you're all set. Don't worry about it.
Commissioner Bud Selig will try as hard as possible to field the best team of American players as he can, but its up to the players to set their priorities straight and represent their country to show that, even though Latinos make up 25% of current MLB rosters, the United States is still number one in America's past time.
If American players did not hear the recent decision that the IOC will drop baseball and softball for the 2012 Olympics in London, its not about steroids. It’s about lazy and unpatriotic American players not wanting to play for their home country in a special, significant setting. Instead, we send out our junior varsity team to the Olympics.
Think about it. It all connects together. USA baseball should be a shamed of itself.