Unhappy with the Olympic schedule (during the baseball season), MLB officials are looking to sponsor a baseball World Cup (modelled after the soccer one) to attract more international attention to the game. The first one might take place on U.S. soil and around spring training to compel players to participate.
The Wash. Post this a.m. laid out some proposed starting line-ups for 3 countries and Puerto Rico. Chances are Cuba and Japan could field good teams too. Maybe even Australia, which has sent a couple of players to the States.
However, if MLB's goal is reaching more fans in, say, Europe, I don't think this will help any more than having the Dodgers play the Mets in Rome. How good of a team could Germany or Spain bring to the Cup? Even if you combined all the nations into a single EU team, Nicaragua could probably beat 'em!
The proposed starting line-ups:
Dominican Republic
(P) Pedro Martinez (Red Sox)
© Miguel Olivo (White Sox)
(1B) Carlos Pena (Tigers)
(2B) Alfonso Soriano (Yanks)
(3B) Tony Batista (O's)
(SS) Miguel Tejada (A's)
(LF) Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)
(CF) Rual Mondesi (Yanks)
(RF) Sammy Sosa (Cubs)
Puerto Rico
Javier Vazquez (Expos)
Jorge Posada (Yanks)
Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays)
Jose Vidro (Expos)
Mike Lowell (Marlins)
Jose Valentin (White Sox)
Carlos Beltran (Royals)
Bernie Williams (Yanks)
Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)
U.S.
Mark Prior (Cubs)
Mike Piazza (Mets)
Jason Giambi (Yanks) [truly there must be a better American first baseman out there!!! Give me Richie Sexson, for one...]
Bret Boone (Mariners)
Shea Hillebrand (Red Sox)
Alex Rodriguez (Rangers)
Barry Bonds (Giants)
Garret Anderson (Angels)
Gary Sheffield (Braves)
Venezuela
Freddy Garcia (Mariners)
Ramon Hernandez (A's)
Andres Galarraga (Giants)
Luis Rivas (Twins)
Carlos Guillen (Mariners)
Omar Vizquel (Indians)
Magglio Ordonez (White Sox)
Richard Hidalgo (Astros)
Bobby Abreu (Phillies)
Link to story here.
Full Version: MLB to sponsor Baseball World Cup?
An update -- the tournament may be held March 4 - 21, 2005. MLB owners, the players association and the International Baseball Federation (whoever that it?) must yet give approval.
Some players are skeptical given the proximity to the start of the regular season (April 3). Houston's Lance Berkman: "The baseball season is so long already, I don't think it will be good to have this thing then."
Jorge Posada want to play for Puerto Rico, however: "Obviously, we'll be playing, doing something ... What's important here is you've got to be loyal to the team. I'd have to ask the Yankees, but I would love to play."
Albert Pujols wants to play for the DR: "It doesn't matter because if you play, you'll still get in good shape and see some live pitching."
I agree with Pujols -- I like the idea.
Baseball World Cup? (NY Times, reg. req.)
Some players are skeptical given the proximity to the start of the regular season (April 3). Houston's Lance Berkman: "The baseball season is so long already, I don't think it will be good to have this thing then."
Jorge Posada want to play for Puerto Rico, however: "Obviously, we'll be playing, doing something ... What's important here is you've got to be loyal to the team. I'd have to ask the Yankees, but I would love to play."
Albert Pujols wants to play for the DR: "It doesn't matter because if you play, you'll still get in good shape and see some live pitching."
I agree with Pujols -- I like the idea.
Baseball World Cup? (NY Times, reg. req.)
Like they can't reduce the regular season schedule a little to make room for it?
And players not wanting to go along...typical. There was a quote from, I believe, Michael Tucker that there was no way he'd play. Yeah. Like HE'D get picked to begin with.
And players not wanting to go along...typical. There was a quote from, I believe, Michael Tucker that there was no way he'd play. Yeah. Like HE'D get picked to begin with.
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