Manny out of WBC?

[riverside sluggers]

Another Dominican gone, as Texas Rangers closer Francisco Cordero has pulled himself out of the WBC. Its because of a sore shoulder

[Anuj09]

I definetly agree the WBC should be in November

 

Its a good idea and all but they shouldn't have it just before the season starts

 

I just hope that Papi, V-tec, gonzo, and taveras will drop out now

[Redguitar985]

The only way the WBC will really work is if MLB restructures the major league season like soccer. The Premier league soccer season in England has international, European matches mixed in with regular matches, and it works pretty well.

[Redguitar985]

I definetly agree the WBC should be in November

 

Its a good idea and all but they shouldn't have it just before the season starts

 

I just hope that Papi, V-tec, gonzo, and taveras will drop out now

 

I think the reason it's not in November is because Selig and the organizers felt it would be too cold to play games in the U.S then.

[ORS]

I think the reason it's not in November is because Selig and the organizers felt it would be too cold to play games in the U.S then.

They are playing the games in FL and AZ, the same places where ST is. It is not cold down here in Nov.

[Redguitar985]

They are playing the games in FL and AZ, the same places where ST is. It is not cold down here in Nov.

 

So why do you think then that the games are in March? Does MLB make more money that way at all?

[ORS]

If I had to guess I'd say they wanted the players to have the same amount of time off during the offseason. If they play the games in November, then that extends the amount of time they play for the year. With the games in March, they are sustituting time in ST with competitive games, but it is during a time of year that they'd be playing ball anyway.

[MC Hammer]

If I had to guess I'd say they wanted the players to have the same amount of time off during the offseason. If they play the games in November, then that extends the amount of time they play for the year. With the games in March, they are sustituting time in ST with competitive games, but it is during a time of year that they'd be playing ball anyway.

Plus, at the end of the season players are worn down, and most have atleast minor injuries. If you think a lot of players pulled out this year ... just imagine how many would pull out if they had to play after the season.

[Redguitar985]

Plus, at the end of the season players are worn down, and most have atleast minor injuries. If you think a lot of players pulled out this year ... just imagine how many would pull out if they had to play after the season.

 

Yeah, but they still play those International games in Japan in November, don't they?

[Cityofchampions33]

do u mean the series like the Yanks played?

[Redguitar985]

No, MLB sent an All-Star team there last year. Manny and Papi were on it.

[Cityofchampions33]

o, i gotcha i gotcha

[Ray10]

It should be played in like November or December so players have had time after the season and it's not too close to Spring Training. I mean all the games this year are being played where it's hot and theres no snow anyways and they may have all the players in the tournament.

[seabeachfred]

No way Jose Ray, no way. In November the players are completely worn out and are probably nursing a pile of little injuries which need time to heal. If they held such a tournament at that time I think most of the players would shine it on big time.

[riverside sluggers]

Gonzalez out of WBC

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez pulled out of the World Baseball Classic today, and is on his way back to the Red Sox from the Venezuelan camp in Clearwater, Fla.

 

Gonzalez, who starred for Venezuela in the Caribbean World Series a few weeks ago, was slated to play for his home country in the WBC as well. The Red Sox don’t have any details as to why Gonzalez chose to pull out, but the prevailing thought is that it was because he wouldn’t get enough playing time. Carlos Guillen and Omar Vizquel are also on the Venezuelan team.

 

Gonzalez, who is expected to be the Red Sox starting shortstop, spent the winter playing the role of hero for Venezuela in the Caribbean World Series, where he hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning to win one game, and drove in the tying run and scored the winning run in the championship game vs. the Dominican Republic. He hit .409 in the series, this coming after he recovered from elbow surgery that cut short season with the Florida Marlins.

 

Gonzalez is the second member of the Red Sox to pull out of the WBC since spring training began. Manny Ramirez did so as well.

 

I like this because it gives Gonzo more time with his new teammates before the season starts. Especially more time with new double play partner, Loretta.