Too Much Propaganda?

[Larry Biittner]

Are we talking politics or baseball?

The engine of the WBC is money, and whenever they say it isn't about the money, it's about the money.

[runningshoes]

Everything is about money, I'm quite sure everyone understands that.

I tried to explain it in an earlier thread, but baseball got romanticized.

[Mike_Piazza]

I don't think WBC is only about money.
The idea is good and i cannot understand why baseball cannot have a great competion for national teams with the best players of the world.
Look to other sports,this year the best NHL player will play in the Olympic games in the ice hockey torunament,try to imagine a final between USA and Russia,everyboody will watch and this is a great avertising for the sport.
On June the best football players will play in World Champiosnship,the most important sporting event on the earth,with a great tradition and incredible TV audience.
On August american NBA players will try to win the gold medal in basketball world championship ,after they did not very well in last WC and in the last Olympics.
They will face other teams with NBA players happy to play for their country,of course there is also money in this tournaments,but they draw can interest in the fans.
Baseball is the american pastime and will be forever,but let's try to become a little bit more global,are you so sure that a WBC final between Japan and USA wont' be a great sporting event ?

[runningshoes]

I don't think WBC is only about money.

I would agree with you if the players were all amateurs.

Let the fans in and charge them only what it will cost to run the tournament. Sell the merchandise at the cost of manufacturing, shipping and paychecks for the vendors and I'll be sure it's not about money.

[west coast orange and black]

larry biittner: too much propaganda?

"propaganda is a soft weapon;
hold it in your hands too long, and it will move about like a snake, and strike the other way".
-jean anouilh, playwright (1910-1987)

[wamby]

I think the WBC is all about money-international fans' money. There is hardly any buzz about this in the states. I had to laugh when I read Bud Selig's comment about this tournament today in Sports Illustrated.

SIs take on this tournament was about the same as my take is, that's basically a meaningless set of exhibition games which more and more star players will be deciding not to play in.

[Aussie_Stengelese]

Theres not much buzz about the WBC in Australia either. I'm certain that 98%of the Australian population don't even know it is taking place...

Wasn't the point of the WBC to promote the game globally?

I can't even find an info mentioning whether the Classic is being televised here!!!

[wamby]

Theres not much buzz about the WBC in Australia either. I'm certain that 98%of the Australian population don't even know it is taking place...

Wasn't the point of the WBC to promote the game globally?

I can't even find an info mentioning whether the Classic is being televised here!!!

At this time there is no TV deal for it in the states either.

[Aussie_Stengelese]

Doesn't seem like its going to be quite the extravaganza it was originally billed as...

The players already have potentially 179 games (regular & post) plus spring training to get through... If I was A-Rod I would have done the same thing...

[wamby]

Doesn't seem like its going to be quite the extravaganza it was originally billed as...

The players already have potentially 179 games (regular & post) plus spring training to get through... If I was A-Rod I would have done the same thing...

I'm hoping that no members of the Cleveland Indians will be playing in this.

[Andruw]

Doesn't seem like its going to be quite the extravaganza it was originally billed as...

The players already have potentially 179 games (regular & post) plus spring training to get through... If I was A-Rod I would have done the same thing...

I think he wants to play.

A-Rod to decide on WBC soon, agent says
Yankee earlier opted out, not wanting to choose between USA, Dominican

Updated: 9:02 p.m. ET Jan. 12, 2006
NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez will have another conversation with baseball officials in the next few days before deciding whether to play in the World Baseball Classic, according to his agent.

The AL MVP, eligible to play for the United States and the Dominican Republic, said last month that he intended to play for the Dominican team, then said he wouldn’t play at all because he didn’t want to offend either country.

Gene Orza, the No. 2 official of the players’ association, said he would attempt to persuade Rodriguez to play, and baseball officials and the union had a conference call with the New York Yankees third baseman.

[Mariner Fan]

I'm wondering why the players can choose what team they play for based on their family history. Ummm, Mike Piazza playing for Italy? Nomar Garciaparra for Mexico? What a farce! Are they citizens of that country? To be honest it isn't worthy of baseball. A made up competition that we are supposed to care about?

[wamby]

I'm wondering why the players can choose what team they play for based on their family history. Ummm, Mike Piazza playing for Italy? Nomar Garciaparra for Mexico? What a farce! Are they citizens of that country? To be honest it isn't worthy of baseball. A made up competition that we are supposed to care about?

It's just a meaningless exhibition series. Players being able to pick and choose what team they want to play for makes the whole idea behind this thing ridiculous.

[DownUnderDodger]

It's just a meaningless exhibition series. Players being able to pick and choose what team they want to play for makes the whole idea behind this thing ridiculous.
It is only meaningless to those who believe that the MLB is the "be all, end all" of baseball. Maybe a lot of players who originate (forget citizenships taken up at a later date) from a particular country, who were attracted by the lure of the mighty dollar to the MLB, welcome the opportunity to represent their home country. The only reason they have not been previously able to do so in international competition (and for those who don't know there is a lot of international competition - World Championships, Intercontinental Cup, Olympic Game) is because the MLB has forbidden them from doing so under the guise of 'contractual arrangements'. Now we have a true international competition which allows the best to take part. If that is meaningless to then think of people who do not live in and worship USA (meaning MLB control of baseball)!

[Agente Libre]

Well, what are you proposing? MLB has enriched thousands of baseball players. You think players should just be able to take off in July, on a whim, to play in the Olympics, or World Cup, or Pan Am Games?

Life is full of tradeoffs. If Sammy Sosa wanted to spend all summer working odd jobs so he would be free to represent D.R. in the Pan Am Games, he was free to do that.