Baseball in March

I didn't get to watch any of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which wrapped up last night with what sounded like an epic finish for anyone who loves baseball the way it's supposed to be played -- not with a mighty swing for the fences by some larger than life (and larger than happens in nature) figure with arms the size of telephone poles; but with a 2-out, 2-on single in the bottom of the 10th by (arguably) baseball's greatest day-in-day-out hitter for the past 5-7 years, Ichiro Suzuki.

I've been reading a number of articles over the past few weeks discussing all the things that the WBC has gotten wrong; how it's in March and has no chance to out-shine March Madness in the NCAA; how it's spring training in MLB and the "best players" are not even in game shape yet; how the venues were too spread out and there were too few games... But who in their right mind -- especially baseball purists who are so angry at MLB and the Steroids scandal -- wouldn't embrace this tournament for taking Baseball back a step and just throwing guys out there who want to play for the love of the game and pride in country?

There was a great article about Derek Jeter the other day -- Mr. Baseball of the modern era -- who embraces the WBC despite not playing every day, and despite not being the best shortstop any more, and not even really contributing much besides his personna, his joy and his clout as the ambassador of baseball for the sake of the game. I think that sentiment is why MLB is pushing this so hard (Bud Selig) and why even people who are somehow against the World Baseball Classic think twice before decrying it too loudly.

Also, you have tremendous story lines like the Netherlands beating the mighty Dominican Republic -- which has produced more dominating MLB stars in the last 10 years than just about any other nation including the US -- not once, but twice, in two unforgettable performances. That's baseball, sport ... heck, just drama at it's finest.

So ya, I think it's wonderful that neither the Cubans (ousted by Japan in the Semi-finals), nor the Dominicans (beaten twice, in epic fashion by the Netherlands), nor Mexico, nor Venezuala nor the US (bettered by Korea in the Semis), were in the final. And it was in Los Angeles, no less, which boasts America's most dynamic and thriving K-town, and has a storied Japanese community as well.

It's fitting too, because LA is a great baseball town (despite the angry Dodger fans who sometimes make Chavez Ravine not-kid-friendly) and is possibly best-positioned to appreciate a non-US final (or at least an all Asian one), with no Manny and no Big Papi and no CC Sabatia and not even a Derek Jeter. Because it's baseball in March -- good (great?) baseball in March -- with high stakes (national pride?), in a tournament that happens every four years, and it's America's Game (even if it's not being played by Americans).

In an NPR story that aired after the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic for the second time, the Director of Baseball Operations for the Netherlands team (who played a few years in the Majors in his younger days) said that he was introduced to Baseball by his dad, who started playing Baseball during WWII as a protest to Nazi occupation. He said that his dad and all his friends would go down to the local park during occupation and play baseball as a silent protest to the Germans -- playing an American game in front of an occupying force. How great is that?!?!

So I like the WBC and in four years, I'll pay attention and hopefully the nay-sayers will pay attention too, because in the world we live in today, I think we need more reasons to come together for a common cause. Why not baseball?