MLB currently has "no plans to cease" the World Baseball Classic after the '17 tournament despite a recent report to the contrary, according to MLB Network's J.P. Morosi. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is “very committed to the future of the WBC," as he "wants this to be the preeminent baseball tournament for the world, which it has been for at least the last decade.” However, it is "really important" to the event that Team USA at least gets to the final game "to really captivate the minds and the attention of the American sports consciousness, which really at this point in time the WBC has struggled to do." Team USA is just 10-10 in the first three versions of the WBC ("Hot Stove,” MLB Network, 11/29). ESPN Deportes 1050 N.Y.'s Cristian Moreno on Twitter cited sources as saying that next year's WBC could be the "final edition unless legit $$$ earnings come" (TWITTER.com, 11/28). YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Cwik wrote the WBC "may appeal to an international audience," but MLB fans "may not have the same interest." Cwik: "While it's a fun idea, there's no real prestige involved in winning the event. ... It's just another way to get a baseball fix before spring training" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/28).
