Buffalo News Slams WBC

Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News wrote an article yesterday pointing out all all of the shortcomings of the World Baseball Classic. Topping his list were:

1. Marquee Stars Refusing to Play (see Ryan Howard)

2. The Negative Effect on Spring Training Programs

3. Potential for Injury

I, for one, am so starved for baseball in March that I'd watch a beer-league softball game if it was televised. I also appreciate the fervor of international fans, who view the Classic as a means of celebrating their respective country's baseball legacy. There are interesting side stories as well, like David Wright and Jimmy Rollins sharing a bench together. There are comeback stories, like Pedro Martinez throwing four scoreless innings against the Netherlands (I know, it was the Netherlands, after all).

Adam Dunn, gave his endorsement last night when he described the Classic as, "a playoff atmosphere" and "better than the All-Star Game." What more could we, as baseball fans, hope for in the middle of March?

Read the Article

David Wright and Team USA on David Letterman

David Wright and other members of Team USA are scheduled to present David Letterman's 'Top Ten List' on Thursday, according to CBS. Team USA plays Canada in their first game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday at 2:00pm. The game will be televised on ESPN 2.

In other news you've already heard, A-Rod will likely miss the WBC due to a cyst found on his hip. The Yankees announced on Tuesday that Rodriguez will travel to Vail, Colo., where he is to be examined and evaluated by Dr. Marc Phillipon, a hip specialist at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic.

Mets Depart for World Baseball Classic

Fifteen members of Mets Spring Training departed for the World Baseball Classic today. Six will play for Puerto Rico, two for Mexico and two for the United States. This is also the time the GM's and managers go to church every Sunday, walk around with rosary beads and rabbits' feet, call their mothers to tell them they love them, etc.

The players are:

Carlos Beltran (Puerto Rico)
Shawn Bowman (Canada)
Alex Cora (Puerto Rico)
Carlos Delgado (Puerto Rico)
Elmer Dessens (Mexico)
Jesus Feliciano (Puerto Rico)
Pedro Feliciano (Puerto Rico)
Nelson Figueroa (Puerto Rico)
Oliver Perez (Mexico)
J.J. Putz (USA)
Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic)
Francisco Rodriquez (Venezuela)
Ruben Tejada (Panama)
Stefan Welch (Australia)
David Wright (USA)

The Mets and Red Sox top the list of MLB teams for number of players sent (15). Click here to see the complete list of MLB players participating, here to see the brackets, and here to see the current schedule.