Team USA World Baseball Classic, I thought baseball was America's favorite pastime?

Logan on 03 11, 2009

Incase you have not been watching the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and judging by some of the T.V. broadcasts you haven’t, then you may not have noticed the U.S.A.’s impressive showing thus far starting out 2-0. Impressive yes, but how can America’s baseball fans ignore the numerous players who turned down invitations to be a part of the team? Sure, some have legitimate excuses such as injuries, but a disappointing amount of players aren’t playing because they just didn’t want to.

Because of this disturbing epidemic, America’s team is forced to feature a bull-pen consisting of stars such as Matt Thornton, Matt Lindstrom, J.P. Howell, Joel Hanrahan, Heath Bell, John Grabow and Brad Ziegler. Thanks for the help Josh Danks, Brad Lidge and Jonathan Papelbon in particular. All turned down invitations to represent their countries without any good excuse. If you have been paying attention then you are well aware that the biggest hole in the U.S. roster is their bull-pen, something that could very well keep America’s team from winning the title here in 2009.

In Pool C’s game 1 against Canada, Joel Hanrahan, James Shields and J.J. Putz combined for 3 late innings of work giving up 3 earned runs. America held on to win 6-5, but could have easily lost due to an incompetent bull-pen. The bull-pen was better in game 2, but still gave up three earned runs from the sixth inning on. This trend cannot continue if the U.S. hopes to take home any title in this tournament.

Other players that declined include A.J. Burnett, Prince Fielder, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Josh Hamilton, Ryan Howard, John Lackey, Derek Lee, Tim Lincecum, Evan Longoria, CC Sabathia, Joe Saunders and Mark Teixiera. Now don’t get me wrong, Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt is a powerful 1-2 punch at the top of our rotation, but they are nowhere near the best two pitchers that we have to offer. Other countries are showing their true passion for baseball while we are really taking this for granted.

Don’t get me wrong, the players who did accept invites are playing with passion and great chemistry putting their egos aside in doing so. Players who are usually enemies during the MLB season are joining together to help bring a championship to their country showing great pride in doing so. It’s great to see a double play combination featuring Derek Jeter and Dustin Pedroia. David Wright and Jimmy Rollins are ignoring their war of words and actually have lockers very close to each other. Adam Dunn said he is willing to play any position as long as it gets him into one of those jerseys with U.S.A. across the chest. If all players shared that same spirit the U.S. would field one of the greatest rosters ever to touch a baseball diamond. It’s tremendously disappointing not having the opportunity to see such a team.

How can anyone who wins the WBC actually consider themselves the “world champions of baseball” with so many great players sitting it out due to selfish personal reasons? The World Baseball Classic community can call the eventual winner the greatest team in the world all they want, but that’s something that we’ll never fully realize.