off base

You may have heard that baseball and softball have been dropped from the Olympics, beginning with the 2012 Games. I was surprised by this, and disappointed, although more so about softball. The Olympics is a great stage for women's sports, and softball is a great women's game.

This morning I noticed an op-ed by former Commissioner of Major League Baseball Fay Vincent, and thought I might post it. Then I read this line...
We Americans have long endured being punished for our wealth and our might and this may be yet another example.
...and thought better of it. Any examples of this punishment, Mr. Vincent? Did someone snub you when you spoke overly loud English in Paris? Did you read a nasty letter to the editor in the Guardian? What a terrible punishment that must have been. My my, how the rich and powerful suffer.

Vincent asks Fearless Leader to intervene with the International Olympic Committee on baseball's behalf. I don't suppose he sees the irony in that. Don't get what you want? Pressure them! After all, we're the U-S-A! (But oh, the punishments we endure...)

Meanwhile, MLB plans to launch the World Baseball Classic, a round-robin tournament, in 2006. This sounds better than the Olympics, because it's all baseball! I don't love competitions between countries, and the inevitable flag-waving that follows. But it's great fun to see different styles of play, players you've never heard of, and to see international crowds get into the sport. And anyway, baseball = good, so more baseball = better.

All Star Game tonight. ¡Viva la Liga Americana!

Comments

  1. Rognar12 July 2005 at 06:52

    Vincent's comments are pretty amusing considering the US didn't even qualify for the Olympics in baseball last time around.

    Damned Australians.....mutter, mutter, grumble....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12 July 2005 at 10:24

    Well said. They're just pissed that their National Sport is being dropped. To an extent, I understand. How would we feel if hockey was dropped altogether (not just for NHL players but for everyone) from the Winter Olympics? There would be riots across the country, with Rogge's effigy burning atop many a hockey stick. So from that perspective, yeah, I do get the frustration felt by some in the US over baseball's exclusion.

    Oh well, the World Classic should be a good one.

    Homer contest last night was okay, was nice to see Abreu end up winning it (although I'd have laughed had he got skunked in the second round). A shout out for Canadian Jason Bay - shit happens, my man - you're still a heck of a player and we're proud of you anyway.

    And I will admit my adherence to the dark side of baseball here - go National League! (sorry, but the baseball is SO much better in the league that doesn't use a DH!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. laura k12 July 2005 at 10:29

    We were SO pulling for Jason Bay!! Aw come on, just get one, man, just one...! I felt bad for him, he was so nervous.

    The only consolation was that Texeira, representing the US, sucked too.

    I hope Bay has a great game tonight, even though I want his league to lose.

    You know I totally agree with you on the DH. I hate it and I hate that our league has it. But I have to cheer for the American League! My allegiance goes all the way back to Lou Gehrig. (Well, in my mind it does. I'm not that old.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous13 July 2005 at 06:13

    LG - glad I didn't bet you on the All-Star game. Although the National League did make it exciting in the end. Props to the AL for putting on a good show with some great pitching in the first half.

    ReplyDelete
  5. laura k13 July 2005 at 06:22

    It would be tough to bet against that lineup. A dream-team of hitting.

    Of course I fell asleep before the game ended. I don't remember ever being awake at the end of an All Star Game. But I'm glad the NL made it exciting, too.

    Now a day off and back to business. Although your business can't be nearly as much fun without Halliday. What a blow that is.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous13 July 2005 at 08:53

    Yeah, means the Jays will have to start hitting again, like they were at the start of the season. At least Wells is heating up and Shea hasn't slowed too much. So there is hope. But they recalled Justin Miller instead of Dave Bush to replace Halladay? Eeepp ... would rather leave Pete Walker in the rotation than do that.

    Cloudy days ahead ...

    ReplyDelete

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