World Baseball Classic

[cp176]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

[Fisk]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

 

The money these guys get paid and their teams liability if they get injured, don't blame the team at all for not wanting them to play.

[S5Dewey]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

 

It isn't often that I feel badly for owners but in this case I do.

 

The owners are caught in the middle. On one side they have the MLBPA, a union with too much power (and this is coming from someone who was a union member all of his working life!) demanding that the player has a right to "play for his country".

On the other side they have MLB who's trying to promote baseball world-wide by wanting the best players to play in the WBC.

 

The owners are taking all of the injury risk when an injury would not only hamper their team's chances of winning - which translates directly into $$ - they would also have to continue to pay an player who gets injured in the WBC.

 

I see that as an untenable situation for the owners. It would be a bit fairer if the players who agree to play in the WBC would agree to terminate their MLB contract if they got injured while playing in the WBC. Then we'd see how badly they want to "play for their country".

 

The saving grace for the owners is that there's (apparently) so damn much money floating around in MLB that the owners can afford to lose a key player, but there is no saving grace for we fans.

[cp176]

I realize fully as well that I can't do anything about it as a fan. The whole situation amazes me. In a way, it is how I view the Olympics. I have come full circle. I believe that if you are a paid professional, unless you happen to be either sick or injured, you have a contractual obligation. That is the way it goes. If we lose players due to injury or if they just aren't ready when the season begins, I will be fine with them not going north with the big club.

[mvp 78]

The WBC is dumb and I haven't watched an inning since the first WBC.

 

If players want to play, fine. It's no different than playing in a winter league, imo.

[notin]

 

If players want to play, fine. It's no different than playing in a winter league, imo.

 

Agreed.

 

I have no problem with players choosing to represent the country that have them the opportunity to become professional players in the first place. While they certainly is an injury risk, that can happen in any game including spring training.

[a700hitter]

The WBC tournament is pointless. It does not further the interests of MLB imo.

[jad]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

 

The whole notion of "playing for your country" is absurd. So that all of us, players and fans alike, can show up in pink camo with flag patches and remove our hats when they play God Bless America?

[cp176]

it is a tough arguement to counter as well. Who wants to play the bad guy and say no you can't play for your country. Although injuries can happen easily even at home, I think that it is ridiculous as well as selfish for anyone who might think that they are going to be pitching at the ml level this summer to participate. Obviously this might be an old fashioned attitude. I'm glad that Porcello thinks this way as well.

[mvp 78]

The whole notion of "playing for your country" is absurd. So that all of us, players and fans alike, can show up in pink camo with flag patches and remove our hats when they play God Bless America?

 

I do that at every game no matter what anyway.

[User Name]

I don't get why this is such a big deal. It's essentially Spring Training on a bigger stage.

[harmony]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

Putting business ahead of country?

 

The use of the word "trump" got me thinking.

[notin]

I don't get why this is such a big deal. It's essentially Spring Training on a bigger stage.

 

Exactly. They're playing baseball. It's not like these players are asking for time off to appear in an international rodeo or something. ..

[SoxnCycles]

Exactly. They're playing baseball. It's not like these players are asking for time off to appear in an international rodeo or something. ..

 

Position players are one thing, pitchers are another.

I don't think most pitchers have built up the arm strength to pitch full out in March.

 

It didn't work out so well for Dice-K.

[cp176]

Position players are one thing, pitchers are another.

I don't think most pitchers have built up the arm strength to pitch full out in March.

 

It didn't work out so well for Dice-K.

 

this I agree with.

[cp176]

Putting business ahead of country?

 

The use of the word "trump" got me thinking.

 

 

wow - not sure how to take this one. Aren't you a Seattle fan. Hmmm - gets me thinking. Actually though yes- I think that if you have a job for which you are contracted to do you should probably meet the contracted obligations. Kind of like the rest of the people who actually work for a living have to.

[Kimmi]

OK - Just curious what other people think. I'm with Porcello on this one. The obligation to your team should trump your personal feelings when it comes to playing for your country if you are a professional. It is a long season!

 

I really can't fault the players for wanting to represent their countries in the WBC. I certainly understand that desire.

 

But I really respect Porcello and others who have made the Red Sox their top priority. I wish more players would take that stance. I really wish that there weren't any Sox players participating in the WBC.

 

The idea that ERod is still considering playing in it with his knee injury irks me.

[Kimmi]

The WBC is dumb and I haven't watched an inning since the first WBC.

 

If players want to play, fine. It's no different than playing in a winter league, imo.

 

Personally, I enjoy the WBC. I am looking forward to it.

[Kimmi]

Agreed.

 

I have no problem with players choosing to represent the country that have them the opportunity to become professional players in the first place. While they certainly is an injury risk, that can happen in any game including spring training.

 

While an injury can certainly happen in any game, including spring training, I don't think the risk is quite the same in spring training. The players are not ramping it up quite as quickly in spring training.

 

Hanley was brought up in an example today. He has not played first base yet due to shoulder soreness. It doesn't seem to be anything serious, but playing in the WBC, which starts Friday I believe, could cause Hanley to play 1B before the Sox feel he is ready.

[Kimmi]

Position players are one thing, pitchers are another.

I don't think most pitchers have built up the arm strength to pitch full out in March.

 

It didn't work out so well for Dice-K.

 

Agreed. The injury risks are going to be higher, IMO.

 

Additionally, the WBC effectively extends the season. Normal wear and tear and fatigue later in the season could be factors.

[cp176]

I really can't fault the players for wanting to represent their countries in the WBC. I certainly understand that desire.

 

But I really respect Porcello and others who have made the Red Sox their top priority. I wish more players would take that stance. I really wish that there weren't any Sox players participating in the WBC.

 

The idea that ERod is still considering playing in it with his knee injury irks me.

 

E-Rod - me as well . It really bothers me!

[harmony]

wow - not sure how to take this one. Aren't you a Seattle fan. Hmmm - gets me thinking. Actually though yes- I think that if you have a job for which you are contracted to do you should probably meet the contracted obligations. Kind of like the rest of the people who actually work for a living have to.

Have any players violated "contracted obligations" by playing in the World Baseball Classic?

 

Would a team violate "contracted obligations" by forbidding a player's participation in the World Baseball Classic?

 

I suspect the aggrieved party would enforce the contract if a violation arose.

 

The Seattle Mariners know the risk of WBC participation but have given their blessing this year to Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Diaz, Yovani Gallardo, Tyler O'Neill, Sam Gaviglio, Pat Venditte, Sebastian Valle, Emilio Pagan and possibly Drew Smyly.

Edited February 28, 2017 by harmony

[cp176]

Exactly. They're playing baseball. It's not like these players are asking for time off to appear in an international rodeo or something. ..

 

I'm sorry notin . I just lost track of the situation. Silly me - i thought that spring training was actually part of their job.

[cp176]

Have any players violated "contracted obligations" by playing in the World Baseball Classic?

 

Would a team violate "contracted obligations" by forbidding a player's participation in the World Baseball Classic?

 

I suspect the aggrieved party would enforce the contract if a violation arose.

 

The Seattle Mariners know the risk of WBC participation but have given their blessing this year to Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Edwin Diaz, Yovani Gallardo, Tyler O'Neill, Sam Gaviglio, Pat Venditte, Sebastian Valle, Emilio Pagan and possibly Drew Smyly.

 

I could care less whether or not technically anyone has violated a contract here. My personal opinion is that the wbc would be much like the Olympic games just wonderful for amateur athletes. My fault I'm sure but I thought that an arrival date for spring training meant that that was the day the job began. I admit, I come I guess from a different era. I wasn't allowed to do what I wanted to do all of the time. We just had to do what we were paid and expected to do. It actually worked out pretty well. I understand that being loyal and responsible might be touchy subjects to some.

[Fisk]

Owners have too much money tied up in the players, they should not have to take the risk of injury.

[Thunder]

I understand the decision to not participate in the WBC. If it were a bigger deal, with more at stake than just pride, then I would feel differently. It's too close to the start of the MLB season, and guys certainly don't want to get hurt and ruin their MLB team's season. I'm praying nothing happens to Bogaerts.

 

The other thing it has going against it is that it runs the same time as March Madness. Who would voluntarily watch the WBC over March Madness? Not me.

[harmony]

I could care less whether or not technically anyone has violated a contract here. My personal opinion is that the wbc would be much like the Olympic games just wonderful for amateur athletes. My fault I'm sure but I thought that an arrival date for spring training meant that that was the day the job began. I admit, I come I guess from a different era. I wasn't allowed to do what I wanted to do all of the time. We just had to do what we were paid and expected to do. It actually worked out pretty well. I understand that being loyal and responsible might be touchy subjects to some.

Major League Baseball reportedly is a strong advocate of the World Baseball Classic. The owners and the players union worked out the details in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Baseball America reports:

One minor benefit of the World Baseball Classic is the role it plays in labor-management peace for Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. While the two sides take on adversarial roles when negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, when it comes to the World Baseball Classic, MLB and the MLBPA are partners.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2017-world-baseball-classic-notebook/#17wVzYa4ScT8P2xx.99

 

http://nesn.com/2016/11/mlb-mlbpa-new-cba-agreement-winter-meetings-2016/

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/morosi-2017-world-baseball-classic-could-be-barometer-of-mlb-labor-relations-030514

 

The owners and players are holding up their respective ends of the agreement.

 

My union negotiates with management for days off; the players union has negotiated with management for job-related outside activity.

[harmony]

I hope Petco Park drains before the World Baseball Classic moves to San Diego on March 14:

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5t90vjVAAI4IO-.jpg:large

 

My wife and daughter were in San Diego today for my daughter's recruiting trip but they did not mention the weather. Their return flight has been delayed by 30 minutes so I'll have late-night pickup duties at the airport.

[cp176]

Major League Baseball reportedly is a strong advocate of the World Baseball Classic. The owners and the players union worked out the details in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Baseball America reports:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2017-world-baseball-classic-notebook/#17wVzYa4ScT8P2xx.99

 

http://nesn.com/2016/11/mlb-mlbpa-new-cba-agreement-winter-meetings-2016/

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/morosi-2017-world-baseball-classic-could-be-barometer-of-mlb-labor-relations-030514

 

The owners and players are holding up their respective ends of the agreement.

 

My union negotiates with management for days off; the players union has negotiated with management for job-related outside activity.

 

I got sick days that I really didn't use (too much work getting ready for a sub) 15 per year. I had accumulated over 400 by the time I retired but I could only get credit for 30.

2 personal days per year that could not be used for recreational purposes.

a couple of bereavement days.

It was enough I guess for me but compared to what these guys have, sounds a bit Draconian.

Got up went to work every day. times have changed.

The contracts that they have negotiated are actually turning me off to the game.

[cp176]

I hope Petco Park drains before the World Baseball Classic moves to San Diego on March 14:

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5t90vjVAAI4IO-.jpg:large

 

My wife and daughter were in San Diego today for my daughter's recruiting trip but they did not mention the weather. Their return flight has been delayed by 30 minutes so I'll have late-night pickup duties at the airport.

 

 

Where is she going to school and what does she want to do? Those were great times for me. A little anxiety but still a lot of fun.