canmark
Nov 6 2004, 04:18 PM
A
World Cup of Baseball may become a reality according to reports out of Japan, where MLB All-Stars are on playing an exhibition tour vs. Japanese All-Stars.
QUOTE
The first World Cup of baseball will be held in March 2006, Japanese baseball officials told the Japan Times, following meetings involving American, Japanese and Korean officials.
* * *
Major League Baseball had proposed holding the inaugural World Cup with 16 countries in March 2005, but Japan and South Korea wanted greater say in organizing the tournament and it was delayed.
* * *
Working-level talks to organize the tournament will be held in New York in December, according to the paper, with an official announcement expected in the spring.
Joe in Philly
Nov 6 2004, 05:29 PM
I wonder how much interest it would draw here, depending on where the games are played, and how much would it interfere with MLB teams' preparations for the season. Not to mention how many MLB stars actually participate. I don't think MLB players are like hockey players in that there may not be that heavy interest in playing for their country.
[ November 06, 2004, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
Joe in Philly
Jul 11 2005, 10:47 AM
The World Baseball Classic has been officially unveiled. Mark your calendars for March 3-20, at various sites as yet unnamed (first round in USA, Latin America and Asia; second round in USA and Latin America; semifinals and final in USA).
QUOTE
It is the first international tournament to include Major League players on the 25-man rosters from each of the 30 Major League teams. Each nation will be allowed a roster of 27 players with a minimum of 12 pitchers.
Major League players are expected to fill 270 of the 432 roster spots. A maximum of nine players from each of Major League Baseball's 30 teams will be eligible to play in the tournament.
-----------------------
There are four pools of four teams each. Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan are in Pool A. The U.S. Canada, Mexico and South Africa are in Pool B. Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands are in Pool C. The Dominican Republic , Venezuela, Italy and Australia are in Pool D.
In the first round, each of the four teams plays the other three teams once and the two teams with the best record go on to the second round. The winners from Pool A and B, and the winners from Pool C and D form the next pair of four-team brackets.
In the second round, each of the four teams plays the other three teams once and the two teams in each pool with the best records go on to the single-elimination semifinals. The two semifinal winners advance to the single-elimination championship game.
Each of the 16 teams in the tournaments is guaranteed a minimum of three games with the two finalists playing as many as eight.
There are 39 total games projected in the tournament.
Any player signed to a Major League contract must be approved to participate in the event by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. But any other player in the world is eligible to play for his nation if he is a citizen of that nation or it is his country of origin.
The baseball federations of each nation will select their players, managers and coaches in conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association and any existing professional league in a particular nation.
Each team will have a manager and five coaches. Player rosters must be submitted to the International Baseball Federation 45 days in advance of training camps opening for each team -- Feb. 26 for teams competing in the Asian Qualifying round and March 3 for the nations opening in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
At that point, all players are subject to Olympic-type drug testing and penalties, including a two-year suspension from international play for an initial positive test. Any Major Leaguer testing positive under the tournament rules also would not be subject to penalty under the Joint Drug Testing and Prevention Policy now in force in the big leagues.
It says that Japan's participation is still tentative. Final approval has to come from their players' union, the Nippon Baseball Players Association, in a vote later this month.
blueraider
Jul 11 2005, 03:15 PM
Andruw Jones is going to play for the Netherlands????
Who else is going to be on that club.....are they going to drag Bert Blyleven out of retirement??
Joe in Philly
Jul 13 2005, 06:09 PM
Curacao is part of the Dutch Antilles, or something, so that's why Andruw will play for the Netherlands. I'm not sure who else will play, though. wink
phillyrunner
Jul 13 2005, 07:41 PM
One thing I want to know is how will the Prima Donna superstars of our country get paid for this where it is all about the Benjamins.
MetsBoy
Jul 14 2005, 07:19 AM
Gary Sheffield apparently feels the same way, and wasn't shy about saying so in an ESPN article (that I now can't find). Something to the effect, "My season is when I get paid". Nice guy.
Joe in Philly
Dec 5 2005, 04:11 PM
Some interesting stuff in
this article... At the winter meetings they're doing hype for the World Baseball Classic -- among the players who have committed to playing in the tournament (if selected by their countries) are: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Derek Jeter, Dontrelle Willis, Ken Griffey Jr., Carlos Delgado, Carlos Lee, Javier Vazquez, Ivan Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.
QUOTE
Three players -- Rodriguez, Mike Piazza and Marco Scutaro -- have the opportunity to select between two countries because of their family heritage and have yet to make a decision for which team they will play. A-Rod can choose between the U.S. and Puerto Rico; Piazza between the U.S. and Italy, and Scutaro between Italy and Puerto Rico.
There will be 30-man rosters for each team, and there will be strict pitch counts as well as "suggested limitations on the use of position players, conforming to the usual playing time expended by most Major Leaguers during Spring Training."
Tickets are going on sale for first- and second-round games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan on December 10. December 12 is the date for games played in Orlando (Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports - round 1), Phoenix (Chase Field and Scottsdale Stadium - round 1), Anaheim (Angel Stadium - round 2) and San Diego (PETCO Park - semifinals and finals). The other first-round games are in Tokyo, with no sales date yet.
Thinking about my World Cup of Hockey experience, I can't see the intensity or quality of play being the same with this baseball tournament. With pitch counts and players not playing full games, they're really glorified exhibitions. Still, it might be fun to see some of these games. Maybe if they don't sell out quickly and I can swing it financially at the time I'll consider it.
canmark
Dec 5 2005, 08:41 PM
Team Canada is set to have the likes of:
1B Justin Morneau (Twins)
2B Pete Orr (Braves)
3B Corie Koskie (Jays)
OF Jason Bay (Pirates)
OF Matt Stairs (Royals)
OF Aaron Guiel (Royals)
P Jeff Francis (Rockies)
P Eric Beddard (Orioles)
P Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
P Rheal Cormier (Phillies)
P Rich Harden (A's) and P Ryan Dempster (Cubs) not presently listed
Ex-Jays catcher and Jays bench coach Ernie Whitt as Manager
rstetradio
Dec 6 2005, 03:45 AM
Last I heard re: Gagne playing for Canada was a MAYBE, depending on if his arm's healthy enough in time, and if Dodger ownership would allow him to since they're concerned their "investment" might risk injury before the Dodger 2006 season starts. Have you heard any different lately, canmark? Seems like all I ever hear about Gagne lately, even on the Dodger boards, is that he's "recovering nicely and should be ready for spring training." No mention of World Cup possibilities. The WBC board, at least the last time I checked, still had the old info of Eric being unable to participate because WBC thought his injury was more severe (i.e. TommyJohn, the sequel) than it turned out to be.
QUOTE
canmark:
Team Canada is set to have the likes of:
1B Justin Morneau (Twins)
2B Pete Orr (Braves)
3B Corie Koskie (Jays)
OF Jason Bay (Pirates)
OF Matt Stairs (Royals)
OF Aaron Guiel (Royals)
P Jeff Francis (Rockies)
P Eric Beddard (Orioles)
P Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
P Rheal Cormier (Phillies)
P Rich Harden (A's) and P Ryan Dempster (Cubs) not presently listed
Ex-Jays catcher and Jays bench coach Ernie Whitt as Manager
rstetradio
Dec 6 2005, 05:26 AM
LOL, how ironic that shortly after I posted this, I checked Dodger site and lo and behold, a brand new Gagne WBC update, lol.
It seems my boy "has agreed to play, subject to a review of his personal circumstances," according to Players Association COO Gene Orza. I guess translated that means pretty much what Ned Colletti says re: Gagne's participation in the WBC. Colletti says Dodgers are still in a wait and see mode and monitoring Eric's recovery before "making any further comments." So apparently for the moment he's allowed to play, health permitting.
[ December 06, 2005, 04:30 AM: Message edited by: rstetradio ]
Adam
Dec 6 2005, 09:50 AM
Ick! Tommy Lasorda has been named Ambassador of the Game (whatever the hell that means) for the World Baseball Classic.
Here's a question for you: the Worlds take place around the time of spring training. Does this mean newly-traded players will have less time to adjust to their new MLB teams, since they may miss part of the spring training? Will we see errors increase in the first few weeks of next season as these players get into the rhythm of their new teams?
~Adam
Joe in Philly
Dec 6 2005, 12:37 PM
I don't think there will be a big difference in the quality of play. It's the early part of spring training when starters only play a few innings anyway. They'll just be doing it for their national teams.
canmark
Dec 6 2005, 03:45 PM
Re: Eric Gagne. I've read that he's asked that his name be included on the list of eligible players, although he may or may not be able to play.
Somewhat similarly, Roy Halladay's name is on the preliminary U.S. list, but he has told the Blue Jays that he will not play.
Canada vs. USA in Phoenix on March 8th. I hope that game is televised.
Joe in Philly
Dec 6 2005, 08:47 PM
On ESPN yesterday or today I heard Karl Ravech say the tournament would be on "the ESPN family of networks." Whether that means every game, or every game involving the USA, or what, I don't know.
rstetradio
Dec 7 2005, 04:56 AM
QUOTE
Adam
Ick! Tommy Lasorda has been named Ambassador of the Game (whatever the hell that means) for the World Baseball Classic.
~Adam
Adam: I think it means LaSorda will get to make interminable insignificant remarks before each game, and rigatoni marinara will be mandatory menu item at all WBC foodstands. Oh well, one outta two ain't bad. 
canmark
Dec 12 2005, 07:20 AM
World Baseball Classic tickets go on sale today.
canmark
Dec 14 2005, 11:17 AM
Current rosters for World Baseball Classic.
As expected, the Dominican Republic has a powerhouse team, esp. in terms of hitting: Vlad, Manny, Papi, Pujols, Soriano, Tejada. Pitching is led by Pedro and Bartolo.
The US has an impressive roster, featuring the old (Bonds, Clemens, Biggio, Smoltz, Leiter) and the young (Huston Street, Dontrelle Willis, Joe Mauer) and a lot in between (Jeter, Chipper, Zito, etc.)
A-Rod has yet to commit to the US or Puerto Rican teams, I believe.
Munson Man
Dec 14 2005, 01:05 PM
Um, I think you mean the US or Dominican team. He's not Puerto Rican.
canmark
Dec 14 2005, 02:15 PM
Oops, my bad.
Joe in Philly
Dec 14 2005, 05:23 PM
Don't blame yourself--that seems to be a popular misconception about A-Rod. In fact, the article I linked to and quoted above (post dated Dec. 5) said the same thing. I looked at the link and it's since been corrected.
canmark
Dec 14 2005, 05:58 PM
Pudge Rodriguez is from Puerto Rico, so perhaps that's where the confusion comes in.
Adam
Dec 14 2005, 07:11 PM
The US Treasury Department has notified MLB that Cuba cannot send a team to participate in the world cup tournament.
~Adam
Joe in Philly
Dec 14 2005, 08:53 PM
That's hysterical. After all the butt-kissing Selig did to Congress in the steroid hearings...
The article at ESPN.com says that MLB will try to get the decision reversed, and that they won't name a replacement unless (until?) that effort fails.
Herr Tiggee
Dec 14 2005, 09:33 PM
This is so stupid.
Pool A (this pool makes sense)
Japan
Korea
China
Taiwan
Pool B (I never realized South Africa was so close)
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
South Africa
Pool C (Holland apparently relocated to the Caribbean)
Cuba
Panama
Puerto Rico
Netherlands
Pool D (It’s a veritable potpourri! The whole globe in one pool!)
The Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Italy
Australia
LOGIC WOULD HAVE DICTATED
Pool A - Same as is
Japan
Korea
China
Taiwan
Pool B
US
Canada
Mexico
Puerto Rico (or Cuba)
Pool C
Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Panama
Cuba (or Puerto Rico)
Pool D – it ain’t pretty, but these counties aren’t close to the rest of us anyways
Netherlands
Italy
South Africa
Australia
Ms. de Blazer
Dec 15 2005, 10:16 AM
If Cuba is barred then the whole tournament becomes essentially meaningless. Banning what is acknowledged one of the world's best baseball teams calls into question all medals won. Would they have been won if Cuba had been there? This is a travesty of sports. What do they think, if the Cubans come then the millionaire athletes will overthrow Bud Selig?
Chip
Dec 15 2005, 10:04 PM
As I have said many many times, sports are no place for politics....especially like this. Members of the IOC are irate that the US government has stepped in to make this a political issue. It takes away from the very concept that these competitions are meant to celebrate the very things that make sports a universal bond--not a divisive event.
It reminds me of the 1980 and 1984 boycotts....while tempers have healed since then, there are a number of Olympians who are still bothered by the fact that they did not have the chance to compete then.
Ms. de Blazer is correct...Cuba would be easily one of the favorites. Taking them out of the equation will simply add an asterisk to the winner.
2006 Baseball Classic Champion*
*Cuba not allowed to compete by decision of the US government
SoulMateNo9
Dec 15 2005, 10:45 PM
One thing I don't understand is why the tournament is taking place all over the world instead of one country like the soccer World Cup or Olympics. The Asian teams are playing in Japan, only to have to fly over here to the US to play in the semis and finals should one of those teams make it that far. I think they should have just chosen one host country like every other international competition. To me it just seems unfair to format it that way. I'm beginning to think the WBC is gonna be more of a joke than anything, and I myself probably won't watch most of it.
Joe in Philly
Dec 16 2005, 05:29 AM
QUOTE
SoulMateNo9:
One thing I don't understand is why the tournament is taking place all over the world instead of one country like the soccer World Cup or Olympics. The Asian teams are playing in Japan, only to have to fly over here to the US to play in the semis and finals should one of those teams make it that far. I think they should have just chosen one host country like every other international competition.
A couple of guesses:
- expenses -- it's cheaper to fly over just the winning teams rather than all teams
- perhaps Japan requested hosting at least some games or else they wouldn't participate, and there was no way that MLB was going to have the entire tournament held outside the USA
[ December 16, 2005, 04:30 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]
Ms. de Blazer
Dec 16 2005, 10:19 AM
While I don't agree that sports and politics should never mix - Jackie Robinson breaking the color bar is political, so is Title IX, so is homophobia in sports - they should not be used as a means to promote a political agenda against the will of the athletes, which is what boycotts and banning do.
Among other things, it deprives us, the fans, the ones who ultimately pay the bills, of seeing true competition. I really looked forward to seeing the killer Dominican team, the US team with its familiar faces and the Cubans - who, as far as I know, are all technically amateurs who work other jobs - facing off.
Joe in Philly
Dec 16 2005, 11:44 AM
A-Rod couldn't decide whether to play for the USA or Dominican Republic, so he's decided not to play at all.
This is beginning to sound less and less like a "classic."
Bill W
Dec 16 2005, 11:51 AM
That'd be the preemptive reactionary position to take...
Plenty of MLB stars will be participating, along with outstanding foreign players we've never seen. And we can hope MLB will succeed in getting over the stupid interference from the Bush cabal.
"I think our policy regarding Cuba is pretty well known," White House moron Scott McClellan said. "We want people in Cuba to participate in freedom."
[ December 16, 2005, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: Bill W ]
Adam
Dec 27 2005, 06:56 PM
As cattledog noted in the Yankees thread, Hideki Matsui has opted out of the World Cup. It does seem that, every day, we hear of a player choosing to stay out of this "classic."
~Adam
buccoman
Dec 28 2005, 08:27 AM
QUOTE
Adam:
As cattledog noted in the Yankees thread, Hideki Matsui has opted out of the World Cup. It does seem that, every day, we hear of a player choosing to stay out of this \"classic.\"
~Adam
The Baseball "World Cup" is a great idea, but it'll take some time to develop. The Super Bowl didn't catch-on on until Joe Namath made it hip. Not saying the BB "World Cup" will ever be the equivalent of the Super Bowl, but I AM suggesting that folks are underestimating the impact of baseball in Latin America and, to a lesser extent, in the three E Asian countries. Why not try to have an international competition that attempts to broaden the world interest in baseball? As for Cuba, make this non-political, and let them in...
DownLowNY
Jan 9 2006, 10:43 PM
According to Sports Illustrated, the World Baseball Classic may be scuttled due to the Bush regime playing politics with Cuba's participation.
IBAF May Pull Plug on WBC
Without Cuba, the World Baseball Classic, that highly charged and already highly politicized 16-team tournament scheduled for its debut in March, likely won't ever get to a "Play Ball!"
The International Baseball Federation (IBAF) is threatening to pull its sanctioning of Major League Baseball's brainchild if Cuba isn't allowed to participate. In a Jan. 3 fax from IBAF president Aldo Notari of Italy to MLB, the players union and others, Notari said that the federation would order its members out of the WBC if the U.S. government doesn't change course and lift its ban on the Cubans.
"Neither the principals of Olympism nor the rules of the International Baseball Federation permit any form of discrimination of a political nature," Notari wrote, "which is why the IBAF considers your government's refusal inadmissible."
Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department, citing a longstanding embargo of Cuba, informed MLB that it could not allow Cuba into a tournament in which the communist nation would have a financial interest.
If the U.S. government doesn't allow Cuba to play, the WBC almost certainly would be dead for 2006. Without sanctioning from the IBAF, other teams would be forced to drop out or face being banned by the IBAF in upcoming international events.
The inaugural WBC, to be played at seven sites in Japan, Puerto Rico and the U.S., is scheduled to begin March 3. The final round is scheduled for March 18 and 20 at Petco Park in San Diego.
Adam
Jan 12 2006, 11:08 AM
Another player who may skip the World Baseball Classic is Dodger closer Eric Gagne. He has started throwing on flat ground and team trainer Stan Johnston has asked him not to play in the WBC. Gagne says he has made no decision.
~Adam
rstetradio
Jan 13 2006, 04:00 AM
QUOTE
Adam
Another player who may skip the World Baseball Classic is Dodger closer Eric Gagne. He has started throwing on flat ground and team trainer Stan Johnston has asked him not to play in the WBC. Gagne says he has made no decision.
~Adam
I wish my leetle Quiche would MAKE UP HIS DAMN MIND. First I hear he isn't going to take part in the WBC and is critical of the whole idea, next thing I know he's wanting to rep his country and puts his name on the Canada list. Now this. It bothers me Johnston has asked him NOT to play. That MIGHT mean after watching Eric's practices, Johnston's not feeling confident about Eric's output, which MIGHT mean Eric is behind schedule recoup wise. I just hope whatever my baby decides will be "health-wise." Now that that the entire event is in question, this may become a moot issue. WHO KNOWS?
[ January 13, 2006, 03:06 AM: Message edited by: rstetradio ]
canmark
Jan 14 2006, 02:36 PM
Nomar to play for
Mexico in World Cup.
Miguel Cabrera to play for Venezuela.
Neither Iguchi nor Matsui to play for Japan.
Bill W
Jan 18 2006, 01:26 PM
A-Rod to play for US ... assuming the Bush regime allows the WBC to go forward.
Joe in Philly
Jan 18 2006, 03:48 PM
I read that in order to get around the "financial interest" issue Cuba has agreed to donate any proceeds to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Would that be enough to allow them to play?
DCBucky
Jan 20 2006, 11:12 AM
The U.S. Treasury Dept. has now reversed itself: Cuba can play.
Enigma
Jan 20 2006, 11:56 PM
I'm glad that Cuba will be allowed to play in this tournament. The World Cup of Baseball just wouldn't be valid without such a dominant team. The Cubans are a very dangerous team in the sport and could very well win it all. Glad to see the US had some decency. And good on Fidel Castro for donating all the money to Hurricane Katrina victims.
MiamiSpartan
Jan 21 2006, 05:25 AM
OOOH, the rigth wing Miami Cubans are beside themselves this morning! Their demi-god Bush has gone against the mafia's wishes!
canmark
Jan 21 2006, 10:32 AM
The Toronto Star's
Richard Griffin writes how the Cuba decision is not all that magnanimous given that Cuba will face a much harder task of making it to the semi-finals than Team USA, and may not even make it there.
The US will face Canada, Mexico and South Africa in their group, with the top 2 teams advancing. Then will face the top 2 teams in the Asian group (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China) to advance to the semi-finals. In the first 2 rounds the US will miss the latin-American powerhouses.
Cuban is in the group with Puerto Rico, Panama and the Netherlands, then will face the top 2 of Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Australia and Italy. Cuba will have to advance to the semis before playing on U.S. soil.
WBC bracket.
Adam
Jan 24 2006, 06:55 PM
Cross Barry Bonds off your Team USA scorecard. Saying that he doesn't want to risk injury, the "linseed oil" using superstar has pulled out of the World Cup.
Wouldn't the risk of injury have been the same as when he agreeed to participate a few weeks back? This couldn't have anything to do with the fact this competition will be using Olympics-style drug testing, much tougher than those used in MLB?
~Adam
blueraider
Jan 24 2006, 07:20 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
That just can't be why can it???
Herr Tiggee
Jan 24 2006, 08:50 PM
With A-Rod on the team, the US is guaranteed to lose.....
ClemsonTigah
Jan 24 2006, 10:10 PM
Amen, Adam. I think the whole sports world knows the reason BB won't be there. Frankly, I'm more likely to watch this whole contrived event because that ass**** won't be there.
fantomas
Jan 27 2006, 02:27 PM
I'm excited to see 1) how well the US plays together and if they can win the whole thing; 2) if the Dominican Rep. will be the 2nd place team or win it all; 3) how well Cuba does; and 4) how well a team from East Asia does. I'm glad A-Rod has made his decision. He brings beauty and talent to the US team.
The most ridiculous thing I've heard is that Piazza is playing for Italy, and Mulder is playing for the Netherlands. What, do generations of having your family live in this country not count? (I'm also praying Mulder doesn't screw up his pitching arm, thus leaving the Cardinals high and dry for the 2006 season.)
Bill W
Jan 27 2006, 03:25 PM
QUOTE
ClemsonTigah:
I think the whole sports world knows the reason BB won't be there.
Cuz he's almost 42 years old and played only 14 games last year with a bad knee?
Even with limited pitch counts, I'm just waiting to see how many guys are going to be injured from being so much more heavily worked than in spring training.
[ February 16, 2006, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]
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