[Lefty Noob]

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum caught up with The Boss at the start of spring training Thursday, and Ol' George had some interesting things to say about the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

"We don't like it that well," he told Blum. "If a player gets hurt, he's risking a lot. But it was Selig's idea and he wants to do it, so I suppose we're going to do it... I'm used to spring training being to concentrate on the World Series, and that's what we like to see our players do. But we don't tell them not to play."

Obviously, he's not happy that he's losing Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Bernie Williams and possibly Miguel Cairo and Ramiro Mendoza to this thing, and its hard to blame him. The owners (and to a lesser degree, the fans) are the ones who really lose out if one of these guys goes down during a WBC game.

Steinbrenner's spent a lot of time and money trying to get the Yanks back to the series. What happens if Jeter or A-Rod tears an ACL or something?

[Joshua Kaufman]

I agree with ole George. I don' think the WBC is necessary - although it is good for fans. Most owners should be concerned. I wouldn't be as scared to let position players go, but if I had a star SP or RP going - I would be frightened. Spring training is just starting and these guys are going to try to crank it up. I bet you're going to see some destroyed arms this WBC..

[ThePundit]

I agree with you guys.

There's one reason and one reason only for this World Baseball Classic. Merchandising Money. Selling jerseys.

Think about it. Pitchers usually take it so slow in spring training. Now when Billy Wagner comes in to save a game, you don't think, he's goanna crank it up? Someone - I don't know who- is going to blow out their arm...Plus these players, will have 1 week of spring training before the season starts.

If they must do this, they should do it after the season - not before.

[EmpireWF]

The thing that really irks me about the WBC is it's just one big exhibition. It means nothing so why should major league players risk the entire season (and that of their teams) for an exhibition?

Poorly planned but let's hope it's not poorly executed.

[victory69]

george is trying to protect his 1 billion dollar investment he has made to buy a world series crown. george does not want his players to play because the tourney means nothing to him. all he cares about is the ceown. he will spend all he can to buy a world series, and he doesnt want his pieces of the puzzle broken before this season begins.

[rmjvol]

Sure is a lot of talk about the World Baseball Classic and the NYYankees.

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Thanks, Ross

[Who Dey]

I would assume that contracts in the future will have stipulations for players who choose to participate. It is understandable the way baseball has almost 100% guaranteed money.
This way if a player chooses to play in the WBC, it is the player that is risking and sacraficing. In the spirited nature of the WBC I think that is the way things should be... The Player sacraficing for his country, and not his employer.