NATURAL RE-FLEX
Jose Bautista returns to Jays camp after back scare at World Baseball Classic and plans to start crushing baseballs again starting Friday.
The World Baseball Classic — in spite of obvious flaws, despite its uncertain place on the sporting calendar, and battling clear North American fan apathy — finally has earned its chance to be respected via its dramatic results in 2017.
Through the first three editions of the WBC, Team USA had never reached the final four, which of course sent a clear message to fairweather, must-always-win American sports fans that this event could not possibly be important.
But along came the 2017 Classic with its quirky extra-inning rules, emotionally charged round-robin games and fantastic finishes to change all that.
There was the Cinderella story of Team Israel, even though most of the roster was comprised of Americanborn minor leaguers. There was the competitiveness of a plucky Team Colombia, qualifying for the first time. There was the failure of traditional powerhouses Cuba and Korea to get out of the second round and, of course, there was the success of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The WBC struck gold.
The inaugural Classic was held in 2006. Clearly not taking it seriously enough, the U.S. sent manager Buck Martinez and an aging group of name players stumbling in and bowing out in the second round. Then in 2009 and 2013 they lost again and the tourney became marginalized in the North American sporting landscape. The U.S. finally reached the championship game — against Puerto Rico on Wednesday night — and organizers are hoping it means the tournament is finally on fans’ radar, and will remain on it.
Every major professional sport is on a quest for the ultimate worldwide audience. With soccer, it’s the World Cup. With basketball, it has become the Olympics. With hockey, the world juniors is the ultimate as far as Canadian fans are concerned, with the world championship a distant second. The NHL wishes it could always be at the Olympics, but the Winter Games are at a bad time.
These events are not about finding out which country is the best as much as they are about selling merchandise and broadcast rights. MLB’s worldwide marketing and the development of new sources of talent is key. It seems to be working. The WBC has always been a moneymaker, despite the previous apathy of American fans.
The total in-stadium attendance at the seven venues on two continents surpassed one million for the first time in event history. TV audiences around the world were large and enthusiastic. Cultures came together. While the Japanese crowds were well behaved and respectful of players and the game, the Caribbean nations sport a different style. It was cool to witness.
A perfect example of contagious excitement was seen in the first semifinal as Puerto Rico defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on a walkoff sacrifice fly in the 11th inning. In the first inning, all-star catcher Yadier Molina picked Andrelton Simmons off second base for the first out, then two batters later threw behind Jurickson Profar as he celebrated a single, straying from the base. On each play the celebrations took on street festival proportions.
In the fifth inning, Molina took a relay throw from Javy Baez and blocked off the corner of the plate, preventing Jonathan Schoop from scoring the go-ahead run. In the 10th, big Wladimir Balentien took two huge cuts and fouled off a pair of Edwin Diaz fastballs, each time glaring out at the closer as if daring him to throw another. Diaz threw the next pitch 97 m.p.h. up and in, sending Balentien to the ground with both dugouts emptying. He then struck him out.
“I would like to play 162 games with these guys, because this is a special moment,” Puerto Rican third baseman Carlos Correa told MLB.com. “We are having an incredible moment.”
Earlier, in round two in San Diego, the Puerto Rican penchant for flair took centre stage. Facing the Dominicans, Baez took a throw from Molina and pointed his finger at the catcher in celebration before tagging out Nelson Cruz, attempting to steal second. It was worth the price of admission.
The format is flawed in many obvious and not-so-obvious ways, but the WBC will never find a better time to stage this crown jewel. One suggestion for improvement: invite the players to a seven-day training camp the week before the rest of MLB’s pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Arizona.
Consider that Team Canada had just one day of preparation prior to two exhibition games, then went right into the tournament. Manager Ernie Whitt had never seen many of the youngsters before, and he started retired pitcher Ryan Dempster in the opener on someone else’s recommendation.
All that being said, Canadian major leaguers need to take a commitment to the national program more seriously. Anything shy of physical injury and Canada’s best should make a sacrifice in 2021to represent their country. Many began with the Canadian junior national team and owe it to the program to participate.
This time, a willing Russell Martin was squeezed out by insurance considerations (knee), while Joey Votto, Michael Saunders, James Paxton, Jameson Taillon, Brett Lawrie and John Axford opted out. Canada was outscored 21-3, losing the only three boring games at Marlins Park.
Listening to players talk about their WBC experience, it’s clear that those participating have bought in. Now it’s time for the fans to do the same.