Initial Ticket Sales Look Strong For Semis, Finals Of WBC

On the first day of ticket sales for the World Baseball Classic yesterday, MLB.com sold 60% of available tickets to the semifinals and finals. Those games will be held March 18 and 20 at Petco Park (MLBAM). Meanwhile, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup phone poll of 480 U.S. baseball fans conducted last Friday through Sunday found that 55% have “little or no interest” in the inaugural WBC. Another 44% had at least a “fair amount of interest,” while 1% had no opinion. MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy said, “We believe that 44% of those polled showing interest in the event already is a terrific starting point” (USA TODAY, 12/13).

Out At Home: Posada To Miss WBC Because Of Yankees’ Objection

YOU’RE OUT: Yankees C Jorge Posada will not play in the inaugural WBC after the Yankees objected to his participation. Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that Posada “was one of ‘many’ players whose participation was objected to by the team.” Teams’ objections to players’ participation are heard by a technical committee (STAR-LEDGER, 12/13). In Seattle, Jon Paul Morosi cites a source saying that the technical committee is “expected to uphold the Mariners’ objection and prohibit” P Felix Hernandez from competing in the event (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 12/12).

LABORIOUS UNDERTAKING: In N.Y., Murray Chass writes, “In the past, with the threat of a strike or a lockout in mind, agents had negotiated lower salaries in multiyear contracts for the seasons that they felt might be in jeopardy because of a work stoppage.” But agents “have not followed that pattern this offseason,” as they are “clearly optimistic” a new CBA will be reached before the ’07 season. Agent Tommy Tanzer: “They’re selling the international baseball thing so hard. They’re enthusiastic about it. I just don’t believe there will be a work stoppage.” Bean Stringfellow, who negotiated P Kyle Farnsworth’s contract with the Yankees, said 90% of the contracts he has seen “don’t have a lower salary in ‘07” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/13).