Great. Now the US has the curse of A-rod. Best case scenario, he plays, we're good but lose, then he doesn't play in '09 and we win it all. Just like every other team he's ever played for, the US won't win with him, but will get better after he leaves.

Contrary to reports, Arod has NOT agreed to play in the
WBC (as of 6PM Wed., Mark Feinsand MLB). The report
in the NY Times clearly only said he's expected to play, not that it's been finalized. Buck Martinez, manager of
the US team, has heard nothing from Arod.

Ken Davidoff reports in NY Newsday's Jan. 5 edition that
Arod is being pressured by both MLB & the Players Assn.
(no kidding) to play in the WBC. Scott Boras says Alex
has received requests from both sides to reconsider
his decision not to participate in this (ill-conceived fiasco *my words) event, & has agreed to do so. Other reports
said Arod is on holiday with his family, & is expected
back next week.

hand slap incident did it for me, againist the redsoxs

The WBC is a really interesting idea, and something that would probably be loads of fun to watch...if it wasn't in March and if with every single pitch thrown by a major-leaguer, every fan of the game wasn't hiding their eyes like they were watching a horror movie, waiting for someone's arm to come off. The main problem is, there isn't any time of the year that would be good, where one could expect to see the type of high-level competition such an event deserves. If they are going to have this event, they should skip the All-Star game for the year in which it occurs and extend the break to fourteen days, and hold this tournament then.

MLB is absolutely playing with fire here. As soon as a big name player has a season ending injury, the fury of that team's fans will be unleashed. Those nagging little injuries that players have the ability to get trained through in March...those become tears when a player is going full on, especially pitchers. Should any of its marquis players take a big dive, MLB, in looking to expand its market, may well lose the bird-in-hand that is its American audience. Imagine what would happen in St. Louis if Pujols tore his hamstring coming out of the box during game one of the WBC?

let it be. let's see the worlds best

lets see the world's best. let cuba play.