Americans not wanting to play for their country

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Posted By: Bob

The USA coach is having trouble finding a souhtpaw to pitch in the Tourney because Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabbathia and David Kazmir have all said they didn't want to bother playing for America. What a shame. It looks like Ted Lilly will be our stalwart lefty hurler.
I understand all the reasons the different pitchers have given for not wanting to play, some economic, some physical and some just down right petty or moronic, but it still sticks in your throat, at least it does mine.
Meanwhile pitchers from other countries like Johann Santana are pushing teir bodies to the limit to compete.

Good luck to the Americans like Derek Jeter who choose to participate.

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Posted By: James Todd

I just don't think the WBC elicits the same type of patriotism in America that it may in other parts of the world. Americans are on TV playing baseball all the time. For other countries it's different. This may be their only chance to be on the world stage and be seen or heard from.

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Posted By: Peter

We are having problems as well which I find highly unfortunate. Our batting lineup is quite strong anchored by Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, Russell Martin, and Weglarz. However, Dempster says he is not going to pitch because of his new 52 million contract with the Cubs, Rich Harden is on the fence (I hear the Cubs do not want him to pictch), Jeff Francis is out with injury. Eric Bedard and Adam Loewen are both out because they missed too many games last season. We have to face the USA and Venezuela (Santana, Zomrano, Hernandez etc. pitching) to get out of the first round.

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Posted By: Rob D.

Maybe the U.S. players are making a political statement.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I'd try out for the Norwegian National Team, but only cause that's the only team I might have a chance of making. Knowing what objects to swing at and which way to run, I start with an advantage over most of the candidates.

There's the old Norwegian joke about the short lived Viking tribe who thought the horns were supposed to go on the insides of the helmets.

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Posted By: Phil

First of all, it's SCOTT Kazmir, not David.

Second, there has never been a "National" feeling about international baseball with our athletes since this is America's Game.

Third, "What does this have to do about pre-war baseball cards"?

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Posted By: JimCrandell

The WBC???

Who cares!

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Posted By: john/z28jd

Great responses Jim and Phil,why bother reading about it if you don't care? I think TBob puts in enough effort on the board (and is probably the best person on here) that hes not only allowed to make a post like this once in awhile,but deserves some respect if he chooses to.

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Posted By: JimCrandell

John,

I agree.

My who cares meant to convey that Americans could give a hoot about this event--since fans won't care, players won't care. I would skip it too.

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Posted By: marshall barkman

I agree with Jim. The WBC is yawwwwnnnnnnnn BORING.

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Posted By: john/z28jd

Maybe they need you to BRING THE NOISE for them Marshall. Great to have you contributing here still....amazingly

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Pitching will always be an issue in the WBC; it's too early in the MLB cycle.

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Posted By: john/z28jd

I think they did it right this year by expanding the spring schedule so these starters can work themselves up to being ready to pitch. A lot of these guys knew ahead of time about their inclusion so I'm sure they will work themselves into game shape a few weeks earlier than usual. I might be one of the few people in the U.S. actually looking forward to it. I could watch spring training games between B squads right now and be the happiest person,just imagine all-star teams playing against each other.

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Posted By: MikeU

Who cares? I care because I love baseball more than the Americans that play the sport. Because I love baseball, I would like it to gain more global popularity. Therefore, I am very interested in the WBC. This could be similar to the World Cup some day.

Only a socialist, left wing looney would not care about the lack of Americans playing.

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Posted By: marshall barkman

I care about watching the Yankees play the Red Sox. Just like Olympic basketball is boring so is the WBC. The only World event i take serious is the World Cup of Soccer.

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Posted By: sagard

Can you imagine the Yanks or Sox being this happy even if they won the Series?



International baseball is cool if you can win at it.

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Posted By: peter ullman

personally...I like the concept..but it should be played after the world series...not around spring training where an injury could be catastrophic to both player and ml team.

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Posted By: David Goff

Do you think it may be in their contracts for them not to play? Or maybe their team does not want them to play with the chance of the players getting hurt. If I was the Yankees, I would hate to have CC tear his pitching arm and lose him for the season. Too much money invested.

Just wondering...

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Posted By: Peter

MLB is embracing the event so the clubs are not allowed to discourage any players from participating. That is the official position. Unofficialy, who knows? The Cubs do not want Harden or Dempster picthing for Canada (that is the rumour) and after his new contract Dempster is not playing for Canada - he says it is his call - I would say he felt some pressure after the 52M contract. Pitchers have to pitch in spring training as well so I do not know what the big deal is. They will only pitch what they are comfortable with (like spring traing) - 3 innings? I like the event and I would like every countries best players playing.

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Posted By: Marty Ogelvie

I certainly don't begrudge any player who does NOT want to play in the WBC.

The players have an obligation to their employer. IF they want to play, great.. if not, then surely someone will gladly go in their place. I certainly would much rather see my favorite team win the World Series vs the USA winning the WBC.. at least for now, some day that might change but for now.. GO YANKEES!

marty

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Posted By: Rob D.

I don't think anyone would question the passion that players from the Dominican Republic have for the game of baseball, yet apparently it's not only U.S. players who realize their first obligation might be to the team that's paying them:

http://tinyurl.com/9gpbz9