I'll admit it, I was wrong. A grown-up (which I guess I'll have to become at some point soon) has to admit his or her mistakes, so that's what I'm doing now. Call it a cleansing of the soul, if you like.
I've derided, over and over, the World Baseball Classic, citing the timing, lack of big name players, pitch counts, and potential injury risks as reasons that I won't be tuning in for (or caring about) the WBC.
Well, folks, I retract said statements, here and now. Why?
I happened to be flipping through the channels today, when I came across a Yankees spring training game, where they were playing Team USA. I must say, the lineup was stacked, featuring names like Braun and Wright and Dunn and Pedroia. But, the bullpen really just blew me away.
Hold back your excitement, please.
Now, I realize, these guys all were at least good last year (though the words "good" and "LaTroy Hawkins" should never be put in the same sentence), but how can anyone get excited for "America's best" competing in a world tournament when most guys coming out of the bullpen for Team USA wouldn't be household names (as my dad would say) in their own houses.
That's not to mention the idea that Team USA is only carrying four starters so that they can come out with a lot of relievers and thus save pitchers arms. Yeah, that sounds like it's how baseball on the world stage ought to be played.
I hate to pick on those guys (actually, I revel in it), and the truth is, the point is larger than those four players. When you've got full teams without any major leaguers and bullpens filled with guys I wouldn't recognize if they walked into my room right this second, I find it hard to get into this tournament much more than I would a Yankees spring training game.
At least there, I'd know who was playing, and care (mildly) how they did.
Funny post!
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