LOS ANGELES - So it ends with a whimper, 9-4, the United States' chance at glory in the World Baseball Classic.
If you ask me, it was the best thing that could've happened to Team USA.
Maybe now, in the interests of both nationalism and commerce, the American baseball establishment might begin taking this competition seriously.
The WBC — an acronym shamelessly stolen from the equally shameless World Boxing Council — lacks much of a history. Its inaugural season, 2006 — the first international tournament in which American major leaguers were allowed to compete — was a resounding failure for the host country. It wasn't just that the U.S. failed to win, place or show. It finished eighth. This time, America finished with a two-game losing streak, tied for third. If you're, say, the Netherlands, that's progress. If you're the country that claims baseball as its national pastime, it's an embarrassment.
By the way, don't bother asking how a tournament in only its second year qualifies as "Classic." It's the marketing, stupid.
The model for the WBC was the Olympic basketball Dream Team. Back in '92, NBA Commissioner David Stern found a way to make promotional magic at the Barcelona Olympics. The formula was simple, foolproof: your best guys versus our best guys.
Fourteen years later, Bud Selig — who is nothing if not a salesman — saw his chance to create an international tournament and peddle his biggest stars on a worldwide platform. It was a good idea then. It's still is a good idea. Baseball might not strike the same nationalistic notes as more violent or physical sports like hockey or basketball, boxing or soccer. But who needs baseball hooligans?
The rivalries are natural and intense just as they are. You have Japan and Korea. You have the Dominican and Puerto Rico. And of course, everybody wants to beat the United States. Problem is, in violation of David Stern's template, the American team was never a dream team. It's an ad hoc team.
Consider first base first. Davey Johnson should've had his pick, Mark Teixeira or Ryan Howard. Instead, after getting turned down by Derrek Lee, he goes into the semifinal with utilityman Mark DeRosa starting at first.
And what about the prodigy Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum? Or Cliff Lee? Or CC Sabathia? Sorry. Grady Sizemore? Nope.
So now you wonder: if American players don't take this tournament seriously, then why should the rest of the country?
