They are American hating Europeons. They've been trying for quite a while to knock baseball and softball, both Amercian sports played mainly in Asia and N/S America. Simple... they also said it has a chance to make it back into 2012. HA! Like they'll let softball and baseball back in?? They kept Pentathlon because Europeans lobbied for it...
Hockey is a f'n hardcore sport... ive never seen a hockey player more willing to abuse their body at the drop of a hat. I hung out with the AHL Binghamton Senators a buncha times at a local bar in college, real real psycho paths.
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
- 126
For everyone criticizing Sheffield over this:
Would you participate the the Newspaper Delivery Boy World Championships or the "Do you want fries with that" Invitational (or whatever you do for a living if you even have a job instead of living in mommies basement) for free? Sheff is right, this is a BS, meaningless event designed to use the players for free while making money for the sponsors. Why the hell should he risk a career ending injury to play a game that doesn't count? Just like basketball players sitting out the Olympics, football players sitting out the Pro Bowl and locked-out NHL players who are not playing in the Southern Argentina Old-timers league for 50 cents a day, Sheffield understands the economics of baseball. Anyone in this thread who claims they'd risk a 15 million a year salary to do their job for free is an outright liar. EVERYONE here would do exactly the same thing Sheffield is doing if they had the chance. Too bad so many of you are such pathetic children that you can't admit it.
Would you participate the the Newspaper Delivery Boy World Championships or the "Do you want fries with that" Invitational (or whatever you do for a living if you even have a job instead of living in mommies basement) for free? Sheff is right, this is a BS, meaningless event designed to use the players for free while making money for the sponsors. Why the hell should he risk a career ending injury to play a game that doesn't count? Just like basketball players sitting out the Olympics, football players sitting out the Pro Bowl and locked-out NHL players who are not playing in the Southern Argentina Old-timers league for 50 cents a day, Sheffield understands the economics of baseball. Anyone in this thread who claims they'd risk a 15 million a year salary to do their job for free is an outright liar. EVERYONE here would do exactly the same thing Sheffield is doing if they had the chance. Too bad so many of you are such pathetic children that you can't admit it.
GasX
Lifer
- Feb 8, 2001
- 29,033
- 6
- 81
A lot of the world's great soccer players bow out of international competition later in the career as their bodies can't handle the extra wear and tear. Alan Shearer is a prime example. It is not a matter class so much as a desire to keep plying next season...
Now, if he refused to play in the All-Star game, then I would be carrying the rope for the lynching party...
Now, if he refused to play in the All-Star game, then I would be carrying the rope for the lynching party...
How do you feel about Pedro then? IIRC, he's played in 3 of the 7 AS games he's been invited to.
It's all a matter of prestige/honor vs. money. This baseball world cup has none of the allure of the soccer world cup or the olympics. Sheffield even said that he would play for free in the Olympics. So, it's not that he wouldn't risk an injury to play for his country. It's that this tournament is not important enough to him to take that risk.
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
- 52,844
- 1,049
- 126
it may not seem like it after the NHL lockout, but NHLers love the game and what it represents. They have always and will continue to play in the World Championships, for their country. US players are proud, Canadians certainly are, and any European player would give their first born to represent their country. They leave midway through the season to do it. In 2006, they are canceling the All-Star Game so this can happen (so there won't be 2 interruptions).
Let me tell you about Jaromir Jagr and his $77mil / 7 year NHL contract. He went to play for his country and there was a clause in the contract that stated he would lose it all if he got hurt and couldn't play any longer. No insurance. He played for his country.
Why are baseball players different ?
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
- 126
Because this isn't playing for his country. This is a completely bogus "event" that's using jingoism to hoodwink players into performing for free. I can recruit a couple of Korean guys at my golf course to play against a couple of American guys and call it a "World Golf Classic". That doesn't make it important.
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
- 126
And history decides which made up events will last and which are just marketing hype. Sticking a "World Classic" label on something does not make it meaningful in any way. All over the country there are 8 year old kids playing whiffle ball in their back yards proclaiming that the winner is the "All time Intergalactic Champion". That doesn't mean the game is worth playing in or even worth getting out of bed to watch. The "World Baseball Classic" is the same thing. They stuck a label on some meaningless games, nothing more. Call me in 10 years if it's still around. I'm betting it won't be. Naming it something important sounding won't make anybody care.
when sheffield held himself from pulling a ron-artest on that interfering fenway fan, i think he's thinking about $$$ as well
but it is meaningful because you are gathering the best players around the world... its a competition of the best players, and to win it is certainly meaningful...
anyone who says they would play for free... has no idea what they are talking about. Would you play in the actual baseball games for free? Hell yes. Would you do everything else that is required of a professional ball player for free? Nope. You think they just stroll into the major leagues and then it's all set for them? With thousands of minor league players busting their asses off trying to take your place? It's easy to say they get paid millions to play a childs game, but there isn't any child in the world that can condition themselves year round to perform at the level that these guys do. They are the best of the best for a reason.
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
- 126
You're NOT gathering the best players in the world. You're gathering the ones that are willing to play. Big difference.
I think you'll see a lot of people coming up with excuses not to play. They'll suddenly get hurt or catch a cold. Also, on many levels it will be like an all star game with very strict pitch counts, where no pitcher will go longer than 4-5 innings. That's the reason I think it won't succeed.
I do like the idea, it's just not very practical with a sport like baseball where things like pitch counts are closely watched.
I do like the idea, it's just not very practical with a sport like baseball where things like pitch counts are closely watched.
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