Posted on Sun, Jan. 22, 2006
Does the World Classic need Cuba?
NO
Cuba has been invited to the World Baseball Classic.
So . . . what?
I'm not a fan of this thing to begin with. How hard are these guys really going to play, especially since Team USA isn't signing their checks?
That's not the point here. Cuba may be a world baseball power, but even without it, the World Baseball Classic would have fielded a gaggle of great teams.
Just imagine a starting rotation fronted by Johan Santana and Freddie Garcia, with Frankie Rodriguez summoned to close things. All three are slated to play for the Venezuelan team.
The Dominican Republic's lineup will be dotted with guys such as David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero. All but one has an MVP award, and the guy who doesn't (Ortiz) placed second last season.
How about an American team featuring Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Eric Chavez? We got it.
Heck, even Italy has Mike Piazza!
Cuba is synonymous with great baseball, but would the World Baseball Classic work without it?
Sure. Would the baseball be good? Of course. And would the champion rightfully call itself the best collection of players in the world?
Without a doubt.
YES
Looks like we'll have to pay attention to the World Baseball Classic, after all. And we have that old side-winder, Fidel Castro, to thank for it.
Castro's offer to donate proceeds to Hurricane Katrina relief spared the U.S. government a major embarrassment. Banning Cuba from the event would make it as interesting as Olympic hockey without the Canadians or the Boston Marathon without the Kenyans.
The island nation's contribution to our grand old game cannot be dismissed. In fact, Cuban players dotted major league rosters decades before Jackie Robinson broke the so-called color barrier in 1947.
You might not remember Dolf Luque - 27-8 with a 1.93 ERA for the Reds in 1923 - but if you're any kind of fan, you've heard of Cuban greats Tony Perez, Luis Tiant, Tony Oliva and Minnie Minoso.
The world champion White Sox received a major contribution from Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, brother of 1997 Florida Marlins World Series hero Livan. Both Cubans.
No, it can't be a World classic without Cuba. They've too much talent, too much passion for beisbol. Cuba won the 2004 Olympics and holds every International Baseball Federation title. Heck, the most exciting 2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays moment occurred when Eduardo Perez - son of Tony - blasted a walk-off home run against Boston in April.
This time, at least, sports trumped politics.
Does the World Classic need Cuba?
NO
Cuba has been invited to the World Baseball Classic.
So . . . what?
I'm not a fan of this thing to begin with. How hard are these guys really going to play, especially since Team USA isn't signing their checks?
That's not the point here. Cuba may be a world baseball power, but even without it, the World Baseball Classic would have fielded a gaggle of great teams.
Just imagine a starting rotation fronted by Johan Santana and Freddie Garcia, with Frankie Rodriguez summoned to close things. All three are slated to play for the Venezuelan team.
The Dominican Republic's lineup will be dotted with guys such as David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero. All but one has an MVP award, and the guy who doesn't (Ortiz) placed second last season.
How about an American team featuring Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Eric Chavez? We got it.
Heck, even Italy has Mike Piazza!
Cuba is synonymous with great baseball, but would the World Baseball Classic work without it?
Sure. Would the baseball be good? Of course. And would the champion rightfully call itself the best collection of players in the world?
Without a doubt.
YES
Looks like we'll have to pay attention to the World Baseball Classic, after all. And we have that old side-winder, Fidel Castro, to thank for it.
Castro's offer to donate proceeds to Hurricane Katrina relief spared the U.S. government a major embarrassment. Banning Cuba from the event would make it as interesting as Olympic hockey without the Canadians or the Boston Marathon without the Kenyans.
The island nation's contribution to our grand old game cannot be dismissed. In fact, Cuban players dotted major league rosters decades before Jackie Robinson broke the so-called color barrier in 1947.
You might not remember Dolf Luque - 27-8 with a 1.93 ERA for the Reds in 1923 - but if you're any kind of fan, you've heard of Cuban greats Tony Perez, Luis Tiant, Tony Oliva and Minnie Minoso.
The world champion White Sox received a major contribution from Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, brother of 1997 Florida Marlins World Series hero Livan. Both Cubans.
No, it can't be a World classic without Cuba. They've too much talent, too much passion for beisbol. Cuba won the 2004 Olympics and holds every International Baseball Federation title. Heck, the most exciting 2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays moment occurred when Eduardo Perez - son of Tony - blasted a walk-off home run against Boston in April.
This time, at least, sports trumped politics.
- Mike Henry, Herald Staff
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/13682858.htm
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/13682858.htm
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