Saturday, March 7, 2009

Tom Verducci: Ten reasons why the World Baseball Classic matters

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Derek Jeter turning double plays with Dustin Pedroia. Chipper Jones and Adam Dunn taking extra batting practice. Roy Oswalt taking the No. 2 slot in the rotation behind Jake Peavy. Joel Hanrahan, John Grabow, Heath Bell and LaTroy Hawkins helping form the best bullpen in the world. Er, hold that last thought, given the bullpen getting Daschled in recent days. But the sights and sounds as the USA team gathered Monday confirmed the three-year wait is over: the most exciting baseball this side of October is here. The World Baseball Classic is back, and to borrow a phrase from the All-Star Game, this time it counts, America.

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/03/05/wbc.preview/index.html?eref=si_mlb

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