World Baseball Classic

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I watched most of the games and is great to see that it is turning like the soccer world cup. While big stars and names played the tournament, some missed though. They need to find a way to let big stars, specially pitchers play. The more big names play the more this tournament will grow and reach more audience.

 

My 12-year old wondered what the problem was with the top U.S. pitchers.

 

His logic is that Team USA plays in either Arizona or Florida, where all big league pitchers already are in Spring Training, so they don't even have to travel. Plus, the WBC has strict pitch limits -- just like MLB clubs "taking care of" their arms, stretching them out, a little more each time.

 

He asked, "Are they afraid of themselves being too competitive, trying to throw a million miles per hour for their country... or are they just afraid?"

[notin]

Just have a season with 150 games?

 

You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

[bkzwhitestrican]

My 12-year old wondered what the problem was with the top U.S. pitchers.

 

His logic is that Team USA plays in either Arizona or Florida, where all big league pitchers already are in Spring Training, so they don't even have to travel. Plus, the WBC has strict pitch limits -- just like MLB clubs "taking care of" their arms, stretching them out, a little more each time.

 

He asked, "Are they afraid of themselves being too competitive, trying to throw a million miles per hour for their country... or are they just afraid?"

 

Yeah it's disappointing, but maybe next WBC pitchers will be more inclined to join since they got to see what they missed out on this year. I can see why some guys might skip it because they're injury prone or recovering (deGrom/Buehler/Bieber/Sale). Would be cool though if at least some of the top guys played (rotation of Burnes/Cole/Nola/Scherzer/Fried would be awesome to watch). Also would've loved to see Judge playing in it and introducing himself to an international audience.

[Bellhorn04]

If the US was to field their Dream Team, of course, it might take a little drama out of it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If the US was to field their Dream Team, of course, it might take a little drama out of it.

 

It has to be at least embarrassing for Manfred and Steinbrenner that the WBC featured zero players from the MLB's flagship franchise and perennial World Series favorites.

[bkzwhitestrican]

It has to be at least embarrassing for Manfred and Steinbrenner that the WBC featured zero players from the MLB's flagship franchise and perennial World Series favorites.

 

What are you talking about? Kyle Higashioka is the 3rd catcher on Team USA!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

What are you talking about? Kyle Higashioka is the 3rd catcher on Team USA!

 

Who know who I meant: the highest paid pitcher and highest paid position player in the history of -- ah, fugedaboudit.

[iortiz]

Injury concerns are always going to keep some guys out of it.

 

The risk is the same in the soccer world cup and players like Messi and Ronaldo put everything on the field every six years.

 

I understand the risk and everything but they still can limit the pitch count. Playing for your country is something else IMO.

[iortiz]

Agreed. 100%

 

Even if the pitchers are just going 1-2 innings at a time.

The lineup of Team USA simply ridiculous. OTOH the pitching staff is mediocre at best.

[bkzwhitestrican]

Pitching was solid enough to win the game despite trotting out Merrill Kelly and Kyle Freeland as our top 2 starters. The lineup fell short today though. 0-7 with RISP, felt like I was watching the Yankees play Houston again. Props to Japan though, they brought their stars to play and they showed up for them.

[jad]

What a game. Esp. the final out!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

What a game. Esp. the final out!

 

In that moment on that stage, that 3-2 slider from one legend throwing 100 mph to another trying to hit a home run may have been the greatest pitch of all-time.

 

At least on TV.

[Bellhorn04]

Japan has now won 3 of the 5 WBC's.

[Bellhorn04]

Interesting that the WBC has not really been a "crapshoot"...

[mvp 78]

You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

 

I'd like that every year.

[mvp 78]

The lineup of Team USA simply ridiculous. OTOH the pitching staff is mediocre at best.

 

100%.

[mvp 78]

If the US was to field their Dream Team, of course, it might take a little drama out of it.

 

It wasn't just the USA that didn't have their best pitchers going.

[mvp 78]

In that moment on that stage, that 3-2 slider from one legend throwing 100 mph to another trying to hit a home run may have been the greatest pitch of all-time.

 

At least on TV.

 

Mike Trout is a choker.

[Bellhorn04]

Mookie chocked too.

[mvp 78]

Mookie chocked too.

 

Got lucky with that bang bang replay call too. Weird that the WBC was using 2022 MLB rules.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It wasn't just the USA that didn't have their best pitchers going.

 

It's unfair to say Japan fielded their best team and won because they wanted to. Every player interviewed representing any country said this WBC tournament meant more than anything they had ever competed in.

 

The only ones who couldn't feel that way didn't participate.

[sk7326]

When I see what it means to other teams, my own cynicism about the WBC goes away. That was fun.

 

But I think having ramped up pitchers and players would be better.

 

I'd still think about cancelling the All Star Game and just playing the WBC during the break. Also allows cold weather markets to bid - more $$$ for the league. Another way might be to take a week off in May for the Group Stage games and then play the knockout games over the All Star Break.

[sk7326]

It's unfair to say Japan fielded their best team and won because they wanted to. Every player interviewed representing any country said this WBC tournament meant more than anything they had ever competed in.

 

The only ones who couldn't feel that way didn't participate.

 

Yes. And of course - from a 30,000 foot view - the sport is better for a non-US team winning.

[Bellhorn04]

Yes. And of course - from a 30,000 foot view - the sport is better for a non-US team winning.

 

Yes, but now the Japanese team has won 60% of the tournaments.

[jad]

I guess pitchers have to follow a strict pre-season regimen. But for veteran position players? Damn! ST has to be the most boring thing in the world. You're in shape. You've been working on your game all winter. And now?? you're supposed to sit in the dugout for a month in Arizona watching some non-roster player take second strikes? I would think most of them would jump at the chance to travel and play in real games. (Also, there is no way MLB is going to give up two weeks of July revenue.)

[sk7326]

I guess pitchers have to follow a strict pre-season regimen. But for veteran position players? Damn! ST has to be the most boring thing in the world. You're in shape. You've been working on your game all winter. And now?? you're supposed to sit in the dugout for a month in Arizona watching some non-roster player take second strikes? I would think most of them would jump at the chance to travel and play in real games. (Also, there is no way MLB is going to give up two weeks of July revenue.)

 

I think MLB could do it without giving up revenue! We played a season this year with a 1-week delay and nobody cared.

[dgalehouse]

The injuries were unfortunate, but I do think that the WBC is exciting and definitely good for baseball. The championship game was terrific. I do have to say that the runs that Japan scored were off of pitchers who are just a notch above the ham and egger category. Not even close to our best.

[Mr Tibbs]

I watched the majority of the games that I could. This was a blast to watch! The games in Taiwan looked insane with the nonstop noise and the cheerleaders on the dugouts. Seeing all the different cultures was fantastic. The final game could not have been scripted better. Can't wait until 2026!

[notin]

The injuries were unfortunate, but I do think that the WBC is exciting and definitely good for baseball. The championship game was terrific. I do have to say that the runs that Japan scored were off of pitchers who are just a notch above the ham and egger category. Not even close to our best.

 

It’s funny how we think “well, we didn’t send all out best players,” but we assume Japan did…

[Bellhorn04]

I watched the majority of the games that I could. This was a blast to watch! The games in Taiwan looked insane with the nonstop noise and the cheerleaders on the dugouts. Seeing all the different cultures was fantastic. The final game could not have been scripted better. Can't wait until 2026!

 

Yikes. How old are you?