Tonight in the World Baseball Classic Team USA faces an elimination game against Puerto Rico who beat them quite badly earlier in round 2.   If they win tonight they’ll have to get through Venezuela to make it to the final round. 

I’m sure a lot of you are pulling for a USA win tonight.  Personally, I think it’s about time Derek Jeter come home to Tampa and mix it up with his REAL team.   I know it’s only another week but there have been a lot of changes to the Yankee roster and Jeter needs to be there.  He’s one of the guys who brings it all together.  Every day he’s not there is a day wasted.  Thankfully none of the Yankee’s starting rotation took part in the tournament.

I have to admit that prior to the WBC starting I was excited about watching it.  I wanted to see how the USA team played and the others as well.   Looking back my interest was probably because I missed baseball so much I would have settled for watching a junior college game.   The reality is that the WBC is an exhibition.  The pitchers are limited and the games don’t really mean anything.  A few months from now most of us probably won’t remember who won the damn thing.

Hopefully, MLB and the other organizations involved will come to the conclusion that its a losing proposition both financially and how it effects their main product, Major League Baseball.  For the most part the stands are habitually empty.  Unless there getting big money from Pfizer for all those Viagra commercials at 10am in the morning they’re probably not making the money they thought they would.  I don’t know about you but I’m tired of listening to Dustin Petroia argue with some character actor about his ability to hit a high tight fastball.  More importantly, the MLB players are risking their seasons when they play in this tournament.

Now for countries who’s teams are made up of high school, college, minor league and independent league players I can understand their motivation to be on world wide television and have a chance to be seen.  But for the players who have already established themselves in MLB, it’s a big risk for little reward.   I understand that the WBC needs the big names to attract fans.. oh wait.. they have the big names and the stands are sparsely filled… so I guess that plan didn’t work.

And what about the thousands of fans who buy Spring Training season tickets expecting to see their team’s star players?  They get the short end of the stick because of this tournament. 

It’s time for Bud Selig to wake up!  MLB players belong with their teams in the spring.   It’s a critical time for them to prep for the long regular season.   The fans want to see them playing in Florida and Arizona with their teams.  Having the big names does not fill the stands.  Hopefully the powers that be at MLB will notice all this and the WBC will be no more.

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A few weeks back Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez was one of 104 players who tested positive for performance enhancing drug during an anonymous test back in 2003.   Since then many have speculated about whether or not the other 103 player’s names would be revealed.  There are arguments on both sides as to whether the names should be made public.  Some say it was confidential to begin with and they should remain that way.  Others say that the fans have a right to know who’s on the list.

Whichever side you’re on I can pretty much guarantee you one thing.   I will go out on a limb and say that there is no way Derek Jeter is on that list.   Yes, he’s larger than he was when he first came up in 1995.  True, his home runs spiked a bit in 1999, 2001 and 2004  to the low 20s each season.   The reality is there is no real reason to believe he used PEDs… but here is why I can guarantee he didn’t…

Derek Jeter is The Face of Baseball.   That’s right… when people think about baseball they see Derek Jeter as being a big part of it.   Prior to A-Rod’s troubles one would have argued that he might have held this title.  But all that has changed.  Jeter is the man… and with the WBC forthcoming, he stands to increase his popularity and brand even further.  If you ask most baseball analyst they would probably agree.   He IS The Face of Baseball.

So why can I guarantee Jeter is not on the list of 104?  Because if you think that Major League Baseball is going to allow The Face of Baseball to get caught up in the fray of PEDs your not being realistic.    To MLB it’s always about the dollars and Jeter sells the product.  He is the connection to all age groups.. from kids to grandparents.  Everyone wants to either be like Jeter or wants their offspring to be like him.  And that’s a good thing because Jeter is as perfect a role model as you can find.

If you read my blog you know I’m a Jeter fan.  I have been since he came up.   He’s been a great example for kids.   I feel confident that he’s too smart and forward thinking to get himself involved with PEDs.  My point however, is that even if he did make a mistake early in his career, MLB would not allow his name to be besmerched.   From there perspective he’s too important to the “game” or the bottom line.. he’s more important than Bonds, McGwire and Rodriguez combined.

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Yankees vs Team USA…

The Yanks lost to Team USA 6-5 but there were a number of bright spots.   Derek Jeter went 2-4 against his beloved Yankees knocking in 2 runs.  Jeter flashed the leather a few times with some patented grabs and great throws.   Brett Gardner also have a great day going 3-3 with a stolen base.  Phil Hughes pitched well but gave up 3 hits and 2 earned runs.   Jorge Posada continued with his hot spring bat going 2-3.

Bern Baby Bern…

Bernie Williams went 1-2 with a walk yesterday as the DH for Team Puerto Rico in their 3-2 loss against Twins.    Good to see Bernie back in the box… he’s got a new album coming out too.  Check his website for more info.

A-Rod News…

Alex Rodriguez may be out of the WBC due to a hip problem.   He’s developed a cyst on his right hip which will be examined more thoroughly today in Vail, CO.  Here’s the Yankee statement:

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will fly to Vail, Colo., on Wednesday, and will be examined and evaluated by Dr. Marc Phillipon, a hip specialist at Steadman-Hawkins Clinic.After experiencing right hip tightness and stiffness this spring, Rodriguez was examined by Dr. Chris Ahmad, the New York Yankees team physician on Saturday in Tampa, Fla. An MRI examination—also administered on Saturday—revealed the formation of a cyst in the right hip. Dr. Ahmad determined that a follow-up examination with a hip specialist should be scheduled.

The Yankees contacted Dr. Phillipon on Saturday to schedule an appointment, and Wednesday (tomorrow) was the first day he could be seen in his office.

After consultations between the Yankees’ medical staff and Dr. Phillipon, and because there has been no functional pain, Rodriguez was cleared to continue baseball activities until Dr. Phillipon could examine him.

“We felt it was in everyone’s best interest—for the team and the player—to send Alex to Dr. Phillipon, who is regarded as the leading expert in his field,” said Brian Cashman, New York Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager. “Alex has proven his durability throughout his career, and we will take every precaution and step necessary to ensure his health as we near the start of the 2009 regular season and beyond.”Any future determinations or comments regarding Rodriguez will take place only after his appointment with Dr. Phillipon, and the exchange of information between the doctor, the team and Rodriguez is complete.

A-Rod told reporters that he wished Reyes could play for the Yankees. “I wish (Reyes) was leading off on our team or playing on our team. That’s fun to watch,”.  This is probably just a complementary statement about a fellow player, but of course the media is taking it as a knock against Derek Jeter.   After Jeter backed him up why would A-Rod intentionally knock him.  It doesn’t make sense.  It’s just a comment that came out the wrong way… a common occurence for A-Rod.

Great New Pics of Yankee Stadium…

Our friends over at Nyankeesrumors.com posted about 150 new pictures of Yankee Stadium the other day.  Pretty cool stuff.  Only about a month to go before they play there.  Can’t wait.

Cabrera vs Gardner…

The “healthy” competition between Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner continues with both players having pretty good springs so far.   Melky has a good glove, strong arm, power in his bat.  He’s not as fast as Gardner and he needs to prove he can hit for average.  Brett has lightning speed, good glove and makes solid contact.  His problem areas are a below average arm and low power in the bat.  The one intangible is their club house presence.  Apparently Yankee brass feel that Melky is a distraction for Robinson Cano (a lot of goofing around last year).   Girardi seems to be going for a loose clubhouse (IE Swisher allowed to crank tunes in the locker room).  So perhaps the Melky/Robi thing is a moot point.  While it would be nice to have a speedster in the lineup, it would be tough to have both a LF and CF with weak arms.  IMHO if Melky’s bat matures having him in CF would be better for the team overall.

PS.. The Dodgers signed Manny Ramirez… does anyone really care?

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This afternoon Derek Jeter will sit on a chair in the visiting locker room at George Steinbrenner Stadium preparing for today’s game against the New York Yankees.   He will take BP and infield practice with his USA Team members.  

It’s certainly odd to imagine the captain of the Yankees preparing to play against his own team but it will happen today at 1:15pm.     However, today he will be the captain of Team USA and will try to put an early game hurt’n on starting pitcher Phil Hughes.  Surely the game will have a “spring training” type atmosphere to it but it will be interesting non the less.

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In an interview with SI.comtoday Derek Jeter backed teammate Alex Rodriguez.  It was revealed in Joe Torre’s new book “The Yankee Years” that A-Rod was nicknamed “A-Fraud” by teammates.

“We’ve been down this road before. Alex is a teammate. I support him. Our whole team is behind him. We all support him,” Jeter told Jimmy Trania is an interview that will be posted in SI.com tomorrow.

“To be quite honest with you, it’s old hearing the same questions. It’s something that’s been addressed before in the past. Everyone’s moved beyond it. And it doesn’t really need to be addressed again.”

I guess Mike Francesa was wrong yesterday when he said on his radio show “Derek Jeter will not come out and publicly support A-Rod, It’s just not going to happen”

Derek, You are the man!  The ultimate “team player”.

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The book The Yankee Years comes out today.  Joe Torre is in NYC today doing book signings and radio interviews.   Yet veteran Yankee players have been noticeably silent when it comes to backing up team mates who were called out in the book.   I heard both Posada and Jeter say in interviews that they will reserve comment until the book comes out…. we’ll it’s out now (and don’t tell me they didn’t get advanced copies).

Wallace Matthews of Newsday wrote a great article today (It’s time for Jeter to step up, defend Rodriguez)calling for “The Captain” to stand behind A-Rod.   I will add all the veterans… Posada, Pettitte, Rivera, Damon should join the cause and stick up for their team mate.   They may have a sense of loyalty towards Torre, but they are not playing for the Dodgers.. they play for the Yankees.

I was a little upset with Jeter didn’t mention Joe Torre at all during the last game celebration at Yankee stadium… now he has a chance to REALLY cement himself as the best Yankee captain.   What’s your next move Derek? If he’s smart it will be to back up A-Rod.

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