U.S. Blues: Americans Fail To Advance To WBC Semifinals

Columnist Calls Loss One Of Darkest Days In USA Baseball History

The U.S. failed to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic with a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Thursday night at Angel Stadium in front of 35,284 “boisterous fans whose allegiance was split down the middle,” according to Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY (3/17).

EARLY EXIT: In DC, Dave Sheinin writes of the U.S. team’s performance in the WBC, “While the U.S. players said all the right things about patriotism, passion and thirst to win, it was hard not to be left with the impression that the other countries cared more and burned with a higher level of intensity, an edge that ultimately outweighed whatever advantage the [U.S.] might have had in terms of pure talent” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/17). In N.Y., Kevin Kernan calls the loss “one of the darkest days in USA baseball history.” U.S. and Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez: “We feel baseball is best in the U.S. It’s disappointing not to be able to carry that out. We’re shocked” (N.Y. POST, 3/17). YAHOO SPORTS’ Dan Wetzel: “We aren’t one of the top four baseball countries in the world? Unfathomable. ... Maybe our national pastime has passed us by” (YAHOO.com, 3/17). In N.Y., Anthony McCarron writes the U.S. being eliminated is a “possible black eye for the fledgling tournament and a crushing disappointment for a roster glittering with stars” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/17). But in Miami, Linda Robertson writes under the header, “Event A Success Without U.S.” With Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Korea advancing, the WBC “has an intriguing half-Caribbean, half-Asian final four.” Robertson: “The elimination of the U.S. is poetic justice. The U.S. is the country whose fans have shown the least interest” (MIAMI HERALD, 3/17). ESPN’s Rick Sutcliffe said after Thursday night’s game, “The biggest thing that I have seen throughout this 16-team tournament is the fact that baseball around the world is catching up with baseball in the (U.S.)” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 3/16).

MONEY MAKER? MLBPA COO Gene Orza said that the WBC has cost $50M. Orza added, “We still don’t know if we will make money, but this event was not about money in its first edition. This is about developing baseball and creating roots for the future.” MLB VP/PR Pat Courtney said Commissioner Bud Selig’s expectations “have been exceeded as far as television audience, merchandising sold and the fans’ support.” ESPNDEPORTES.com’s Enrique Rojas reported that as of Tuesday, paid attendance was 512,773, while “more than 100,000 fans are expected” to attend the semifinals and final at Petco Park Saturday and Monday (ESPNDEPORTES.com, 3/16). Selig said that he “did not know if the tournament would make money.” Selig added that a “number of owners had called him Thursday to state their intention to attend the semifinals and final” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/17).

Cuba Expresses Interest In Hosting Future WBC Games

CUBA: In a separate piece, ESPNDEPORTES.com’s Rojas reported Cuba “hopes to host some portion of future World Baseball Classic editions.” Cuban national team manager Higinio Velez said, “Hosting games in the next event is the maximum ambition that any country that loves baseball could have.” Orza said, “I think Cuba could host games in the next edition, although not the games in the last rounds, but I don’t see why it couldn’t host the first round games. We still don’t know what method will be used to choose the countries that will take part in the tournament nor the host countries for 2009, but I think Cuba could put games together” (ESPNDEPORTES.com, 3/16). When asked if Cuban dictator Fidel Castro would attend the games on Saturday and Monday, Selig said, “Fidel has not called me to ask if it’s OK.” Selig added, “It would be great, but he has to make that decision” (N.Y. POST, 3/17).

SWEET NOVEMBER? Selig said of possibly holding the next WBC at a different time of year, “We’ll review all that. I can’t see it in November. ... During the season doesn’t seem to work, but we’ll consider all the options” (ESPN, 3/16).