The World Baseball Classic:
I read Buster O.’s column today and he talked to someone in the know who said that the “trickle of defections from the Classic is becoming a steady stream.” Mid-level players who may be fighting for roster positions are afraid that while they are playing for their country, someone else is getting innings infront of their team’s manager in spring training. Interesting dilemma for the non-superstar. The WBC may succeed from a marketing viewpoint, but to the true baseball fan it’s a joke. Furthermore, the timing is stupid. Not only does it conflict with spring training 3/3 – 3/20, but should we watch the WBC or March Madness. This may backfire on Selig.