MIAMI GARDENS,
Moncler Vest Men, Fla. — While some superb American players abstained from playing in the World Baseball Classic because of apathy or because of a fear of injury, David Wright has acted like a child wearing his first Little League All-Star uniform.
When the United States promoted the Classic at the winter meetings in Las Vegas in December, Derek Jeter was the only player at the news conference. The marketing folks seized upon Jeter’s popularity to help spread the word about the second Classic. Jeter’s presence helped make it easier to sell those U.S.A. caps and jerseys at Christmas.
When the United States prepares for the 2013 Classic,
Cheap Moncler Vest Men, maybe Wright should be the new face of the team. It is impossible to know what will happen with Wright’s career, but, for now,
Cheap UGG Boots Bailey, he has been a dream player for the United States by performing superbly and by constantly expressing his support for the event.
After Wright’s two-run single on Tuesday night pushed the Americans past the Puerto Ricans, 6-5,
Moncler Boots, and into the tournament’s semifinals, he called it one of the most important hits of his career.
“That’s right up there at the top,” Wright said. “I mean, you’re talking about representing the United States of America. You have that across the front of your chest. You’re representing a nation, and to come, to be able to get that hit, that’s got to be right up there at the top of the list.”
The Classic has several flaws, starting with the fact that too many of the best players do not play. The injury factor looms large, too. While players can be injured anywhere at any time, it still galls a team when one of its players is hurt while playing for someone else.
But none of the Classic’s problems have dampened Wright’s enthusiasm. Even before his game-winning hit, he said he would sign up to play again in 2013. If United States officials are listening,
Moncler T Shirts Sale, they may want to take Wright up on his offer. Then the Americans will have their poster boy for 2013.
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Facing Open-Heart Surgery, Aaron Boone Has No Regrets 10 Comments 1. March 18, 2009 12:18 pm
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Lets hope that Wright can get some big hits for thr Mets in September!!!
— Ron Cowin 2. March 18, 2009 1:29 pm
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I confess I’ve spent moments wondering how a guy who’s had 3 consecutive 100+ RBI seasons — a spectacular achievement for any player, and an even more impressive one for my consistenly underachieving Mets — could disappoint me. The reason,
Moncler Vest Women, of course, is Wright’s absence of clutch hitting, especially down the stretch.
I’ll second Ron Cowin: may this WBC hit be the first of many clutch hits for David down the stretch in 2009.
— Mets Masochist 3. March 18, 2009 1:46 pm
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Here’s an idea to increase fan interest in the WBC and give MLB teams TREMENDOUS incentive to send their players to the WBC:
1. Every MLB franchise submits 4 position players and 3 pitchers from its 40-man roster to a draft pool. The various national teams then draw from that pool until their rosters are filled. That’s a pool of 120 MLB position players and 90 MLB pitchers, plus all the players from the international leagues.
2. MLB creates a special “WBC Supplemental Round” after each of the first three rounds of the amateur draft. Each “WBC Round” includes just 10-12 slots.
3. MLB Teams whose players have been drafted from their 25-man roster by WBC squads can win supplemental draft picks in these rounds via an NBA style lottery with floating ping-pong balls .
4. The Type-A, Type-B, and unrestricted player classifications used to categorize free agents is employed determine the picks. e.g. If a team has one Type-A player, they get one first round ball in the lottery. Two players: four balls, three players: nine balls, etc. Apply the same rules for Type-B (round two) and unrestricted players (round three).
5. Give the franchise whose player is named tournament MVP the very first pick in the next year’s amateur draft. Beltran or K-Rod is MVP? Mets get the first overall pick. If it’s a non-MLB player, then the pick reverts to the worst MLB team.
6. Cap the total number of WBC first round picks at three,
Moncler Polo Shirts, and five total supplementals (combined 1st+2nd+3rd round picks) per franchise.
7. Pay the tournament MVP a $1,000,000 bonus.
This approach encourages teams to add more older, star players with drawing power (like Jeter, Beltran, Beckett, Santana, Pujols, Ichiro and A-Rod) to their 4 position and 2 pitcher submissions for the draft. Why? The Yanks would surely send A-Rod, Jeter and even Sabathia to the WBC for a chance at three first-rounders, including the very first pick in the draft. Same goes for Boston, St. Louis, the Mets. Teams like Houston, Minnesota, Cleveland and the A’s that rely on the draft would also submit their best players.
Sending three Type-A players with the hope all are drafted increases an MLB team’s chances at a first round pick by nine times. They can also receive multiple sandwich round picks.
The scheme gets fans more interested in the games — they’ll pay attention to their club’s submissions, the WBC roster selection and the MVP race in the hopes their team will come away with the number one pick. Interest in the games themselves will follow.
Finally, it drives more attention to MLB draft day. The MLB clearly wants to increase the buzz around their draft to NFL and NBA levels.
Thoughts?
— O Coelho 4. March 18, 2009 2:52 pm
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I like it.
— a.O 5. March 18, 2009 3:06 pm
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I wish the crowds were better for Team USA. Being outnumbered by Puerto Rican fans in Miami was a little embarrassing.
I think they should stop holding this tournament in the pre-season. Instead, once every three years, they should cancel the All-Star game and turn the WBC into a 10-day midsummer extravaganza. Crowds would be fantastic because they’d hold games in New York, Chicago and Boston–real sports towns. Also, players would be in mid-season form, giving everyone an equal shot to win.
This is a great event. With a little tweaking, it could really take off.
— Manhattanite 6. March 18, 2009 3:13 pm
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I’m surprised at the Mets fans who say Wright doesn’t come through in the clutch. Shame on you.
— Elizabeth 7. March 18, 2009 4:24 pm
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I know that Derek and David are friends and I expect that Derek had a lot to do with David playing for USA. They are similar personalities and both appreciate what baseball has done for them. They both are good guys on and off the field and true role models for the Little League crowd. I hope they go all the way this time………
— Annie Savoy 8. March 18, 2009 6:42 pm
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While I was thrilled to see the ending of the game last night, let’s not exaggerate: David Wright was having a **rough* WBC series before last night. I’ve watched every USA game. He was not doing well at all (strikeout city) with more at bats than anyone on the team, and the commentators had noted it several times,
Cheap Moncler T Shirts, hoping he would be able to shake his slump.
I do think this will help him with confidence this weekend as the WBC continues, but he simply hasn’t shown himself to be an outstanding overall or clutch player-yet. I will wait to see if Wright can bring it in 2009 for the Mets before I count on him being the face of anything in 2013. I’m still not convinced.
The most interesting thing about the WBC has been the delicate matter of Jeter at shortstop. The coaches have tried to compromise by having Jeter and Rollins split the innings in most games, and it’s been awkward. I love Jeter but Rollins (though it kills me to say it) is a great player, and Jeter seems to be finding it hard to accept,
Cheap Moncler Boots, if you go by what the TV analyst said the other night.
Jeter wasn’t scheduled to play (which I admit surprised me), and both MLB TV commentators said they were suprised to see how upset he was at batting practice. They said it wasn’t like him to act that way (“a different Derek Jeter”). Lo and behold,
Moncler Jackets Men, he was a last minute addition at DH. But what would have happened if Chipper wasn’t injured? Would Jeter have insisted on DH-ing anyway?
Like I said, I love Jeter. I understand that he is the face of the team and he put himself on the line to promote the Classic before anyone else did. But I think if you mess with his playing time-which he’s never had to deal with- all the talk about teamwork will go out the window. I hope I’m wrong about that. I hope that doesn’t manifest itself in 2009-2010 with the Yankees as they transition him out of the SS position.
You know who is a star/poster boy waiting to be noticed? Brian Roberts. He’s got all the tools and star quality of a David Wright but plays for a lousy team. Hopefully he’ll get a little mileage out of his late addition to the WBC.
— Melissa 9. March 18, 2009 10:37 pm
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I think if we get more games like last night, the players will be there. For most of them, this is still more about fun than about money. If the adrenaline is flowing, there will be ball players.
Go America!
— Ben 10. March 20, 2009 9:23 pm
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Gee, O Coelho, you must’ve really thought about this, huh? Not sure that I agree with all of your ideas (and I’m sure MLB wouldn’t be on board), but good job thinking outside of the box.
— Mike Add your comments...
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