Carlos Zambrano did not “make an announcement”. He was quoted saying he wasn’t sure if he would play or not.

The last time around, feelings about this tournament were very mixed. At the same time, I think the result was pretty successful. It sound like the Venezuelan issue is all about internal Venezuelan baseball politics, not whether or not the tournament is a good thing. Many MLB players, especially the non-US ones, seemed to really appreciate the unique brand of competition. Many fans seemed to have nothing good to say about the tournament, at least those in the US.

A November tournament would keep interest in baseball after the World Series.

but doesn’t work because of the length of the MLB season. Have it before the year, like in the spring, and pitchers get hurt during the regular season. Have it after the WS? The pitchers aren’t in baseball shape anymore.

Send our amateurs like the olympics.

I think so. MLB teams don’t want their players in “meaningless” games. They care more about World Series championships than WBC championships. I see the interest in the WBC waning.

This is pretty clearly a Venezuelan problem, not a WBC problem, and probably revolves around the shaky politics of that country. (Whoever is in charge is probably a Chavez crony.)

It’s likely to get resolved by the time the tournament rolls around.

And the whole tournament does not collapse if Venezuela doesn’t have a team. Things like that happen.

I like the WBC and I was in attendance for the USA v. Mexico in Phoenix in 2006. The game wasn’t a sellout, which was sad, because the Mexican fans filled up half of the stadium, but it was a very cool atmosphere to watch a baseball game.

If a change needs to be made, they should maybe use pitchers that aren’t as valuable to their teams. I would keep all of the All-Star position players, because they tend not to be that affected by these events. However, they should use grizzled type vets, like Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, and Mike Mussina types. They would make the games very competitive and the teams would not miss them like a Jake Peavy or CC Sabathia.

We both love the concept, but money has ruined so much of this sport already , that it prevents the WBC from being viable. The poster’s point about the players being fat millionaires is spot-on – IMO, the large majority of pro (MLB) players – from any country – not going to risk injury, ergo millions of dollars, for “national pride”. Damned sure the owners don’t want that, either, just as NHL owners are starting to crack down on their players participating in the Winter Olympics.

The only option would be to use minor league or college talent to stock the teams, and while the interest might be there for ardent baseball fans, it wouldn’t appeal to the masses, ergo advertisers, ergo networks and media outlets.

Full-circle to my first point – money has ruined so much of this sport already.

<<< END OF RANT >>>