Ah The World Baseball Classic ………..

 

 

Ah  The  World  Baseball  Classic  ……….

 

 

 

Well  this   quadrennial  event   much    like  the  Miss  America  and  Miss  Universe  pageants.    When  it  comes   creating   a  hullabaloo  this  may  well  be  the  one   sporting  event   that   by  its   very  own   creation  may   well  be  about  as  relevant   as  the  pageants  mentioned  themselves.  

 

 

Derek Jeter (center) and teammates pose for the press in order to publicize the commencement of the World Baseball Classic. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Matt Irving ..............

 

 

The  only   thing  is   whereby   the  participants   of   the  pageants   seek something  of  relevance  at  the  end  of  the  day  .  The World Baseball Classic  only  seeks  to  apportion  some  sort  of   credibility  to  a  game  that  as  of  late   has     shot  itself   in  the  foot   more  times  than  one  would  care   to mention.  

 

 

Jimmy Rollins of the US team looks on his teammates commence batting practice at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The US team would meet Canada in first round play. picture appears courtesy of getty images /Hugh Portnoy ............

 

 

And  it  certainly  hasn’t   bode  well  for  the   game   domestically  that  its  hierarchy  has   been   about   as  proactive   in  dealing   with  many  of its  problems  about   as  much  as   the  Federal   government   has  been  in   dealing  with  the   current   economic   crisis.      The   game’s   most  prominent  star   domestically  is   under   a   cloud  of  suspicion   and   his   actions  as  of  late   have  been  deplorable.   And   now   comes   word   that  he’s   curtailed   his   availability  for  his   national side,  the  Dominican Republic.   What  makes   Alex  Rodriguez’s  actions   even  more   suspicious at    this   juncture is  his  every  move   thus   far   has   been  orchestrated   in order to  amass  degree  of sympathy   from  the  public.  Hip  injury  or  not  and  with   allegations   still  surrounding   and  his   steroid use.   Could  it  be that   this  might’ve  been   borne   out    of  his   of  the  illecit   substances  ?  

 

 

Members of the US and Canadian teams listen to the national anthem prior to their first round game at the Rogers Center in Toronto , Ontario, Canada. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Elsa Martinez ..................

 

 

As  to  the  event   itself  if  it   is   to  be   the   showcase  that   Major  League  Baseball  anticipates   and  that  of  the  game’s  international   governing   body.  Then   the   game’s   major   stars   who  are   representing  the   various   international   concerns  will  have  to  step  up  to  the  plate  and  make  sure   that  this  event  is   a  memorable  one   to  say  the  very  least.

 

 

Managers Ernie Whitt of Canada and Davey Johnson of the US greet each other prior to the game between their two teams at the Rogers Center in Toronto , Orantartio, Canada. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Elsa Martinez ............

 

 

The  event   itself  has  already  started  and  we’ve   already   witnessed  a  surprise   with  the  Netherlands  defeating  the  Dominican Republic 3-2.  They were  viewed  as  the  presumptive   favorites  to  win the  competition  outright.  But  then  again  the  US  team  was   also   viewed  as   a presumptive   favorite  at  the  Classic’s  inception.  And   we  can  all  remember  how  badly  the competition  went   for  the  team  can’t  we ?

 

 

 

Catcher Jensen Kenley of the Netherlands reacts after pitcher Leon Boyd strikes out Hanley Ramirez of the Dominican Republic. The Netherlands would go on to defeat their opponents 3-2 in a surprise victory over the presumptive favorites for the tournament. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Ricardo Maldonnado ............

 

 

 

 

The  United  States’  team  makes   its   formal  entry   today   with   a  game  against   Canada.   And  it’s being    viewed   with   a  great  deal  of   expectancy.   Its roster   is  filled   with a  litany  of    All  Stars  and  they’re  expected   to  overcome  the   play  of  the  northern   counterparts  with   some   ease.    But   as  we’ve   already   seen   anything   can    happen  and   will.  We’ve  already   had  a  number  of  players   saying  that  “  they’re  playing   with  and  for  the  pride  of  their   country” .  It’s   not  something   that   ought  to  be  undermined   but  in   reality   for  many  of  these  players  it’ll  be   the  only   opportunity  that  they’ll   ever   get  to   play   at  this  level   and  infront  of   a  viewership  on  this   grand   a  scale.

 

 

Hanley Ramirez walks back to the dugout after his team's defeat at the hands of the Netherlands 3-2 in a game played at the Hiron Bithorn Stadium in San Juan , Puerto Rico. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Al Bello .....................