[ThePundit]

Before today's game against the Reds, the Yankees apologized to their fans.

The Yankees displayed a sign by the customer service booth on the main concourse, explaining it wasn't their fault Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams had departed for the World Baseball Classic.

"Thank you for expressing your concerns," the sign stated. "We are sorry that certain players will not be present for portions of spring training. These players have elected to participate in the World Baseball Classic. The World Baseball Classic is an event sanctioned by the commissioner of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The New York Yankess did not vote to support this event. Any comments you have regarding the World Baseball Classic should be directed to the commissioner of Major League Baseball or the Major League Baseball Players Association."

"We don't like it. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said when spring training began. "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 guess this will be the lone WBC in our lifetime. Anyone disagree?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Before today's game against the Reds, the Yankees apologized to their fans.

The Yankees displayed a sign by the customer service booth on the main concourse, explaining it wasn't their fault Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams had departed for the World Baseball Classic.

"Thank you for expressing your concerns," the sign stated. "We are sorry that certain players will not be present for portions of spring training. These players have elected to participate in the World Baseball Classic. The World Baseball Classic is an event sanctioned by the commissioner of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The New York Yankess did not vote to support this event. Any comments you have regarding the World Baseball Classic should be directed to the commissioner of Major League Baseball or the Major League Baseball Players Association."

"We don't like it. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said when spring training began. "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 guess this will be the lone WBC in our lifetime. Anyone disagree?

No new World Order?...ahhh...shucks...Hey, lets send our college all-stars like in the old days...what do you say Pundit?...think our all-stars can take 'em?

[Lefty Noob]

No, I think you're right. Nobody seems to like it, and even those of us who were excited about it at first, like me, are put off by the number of players who dropped out of it and the fact that the TV stations are airing the games during overnight / early morning hours here on the East Coast. Any enthusiasm I once harbored for it is loooooong gone.

[ThePundit]

Good idea Gotham - and the pitchers wouldn't have to go on pitch counts....but no matter what, I think you would make a great host for the Oscars. I'm not a Jon Stewart fan. Maybe next year?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Good idea Gotham - and the pitchers wouldn't have to go on pitch counts....but no matter what, I think you would make a great host for the Oscars. I'm not a Jon Stewart fan. Maybe next year?

Only if you are there with me buddy... I think you and me together...forget it!...we'd steal the show...maybe next year...just maybe...after we blow up big in this here gig...

[Calder]

I think that the World Baseball Classic will become more intriguing once the other teams start taking the field. For those of us America, it’s going to be hard to put down that remote when we begin to see Jeter, Clemens, A-Rod, and all the rest take their positions. Not to mention the all-star teams of the other squads, like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, getting into the fray. I was disappointed when some of the bigger names pulled out as well, but if you look at the rosters of the teams remaining, there is still plenty of star power to go around. As for the Yankees lamenting the fact that some of the marquee names are participating in the Classic? That’s unfortunate in my opinion, and it comes across as rather petty and unprofessional, almost as if you’re passing the buck. Having said that, to expect Steinbrenner to conduct himself in any other fashion would be unrealistic and wishful thinking.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Calder

Having said that, to expect Steinbrenner to conduct himself in any other fashion would be unrealistic and wishful thinking.

And so very much not like George...And what would be the fun in that anyway?...He wouldn't have been added as a character to Seinfeld I tell you that much...no sir...George is a character all right...bless his Yankee heart...gotta love him