Sixteen teams playing games throughout the world from March 5th until the final on March 23rd at Dodger Stadium, vying for the prestigious title of “best baseball team in the world.”  This was the second World Baseball Classic, the one that was supposed to be so much better than the first, and answer all those annual questions every October about Bud Selig’s not-truly-a-World Series. 

Bud Selig wouldn’t compare his World Series to the WBC any sooner than he’ll stand up and take responsibility for his steroids era or advocate asterisks on records (which would directly correspond to his tenure).  The October best-of-seven is still the “real” World Championship according to Bud, the WBC is a PR event designed to encourage growth and interest in baseball around the world. To create new revenue streams.  An idea Selig borrowed from David Stern.

Selig hasn’t gone as far as to find a Jerry Colangelo to see to the U.S. winning this thing, but each time the U.S. gets beat, Selig gains a little more discomfort. With a U.S. win, it would be all about the American National Pastime, the beautiful game, the tremendous competition around the world and the marvelous harmony sports can promote among countries.  When the U.S. lost, its a little like when Selig followed Barry Bonds’ home run record assault.  He keeps it to a minimum.  That’s just how Bud rolls.

Defending champ Japan hosted Pool A at the Tokyo Dome and played to advance against both Chinas and Korea.   Japanese players who play in the United States, P  Daisuke Matsuzaka (Boston), C Kenji Johjima (Seattle), INF Akinori Iwamura (Tampa Bay), OF Kosuke Fukudome (Chicago NL) and OF Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle) took advantage of more Japan time.  Chien-Ming Wang was not playing for Chinese Tapei, he practiced his base running in Tampa with the Yankees.  By winning at home, Japan advanced to San Diego’s Petco Park and cruised to the finals at Dodger Stadium. Nearly 55,000 crammed Chavez Ravine to see Japan win the WBC over Korea 5-3 in 10 innings.

Mike Francessa, the plump and pompous radio sportstalk host from New York, characterized the WBC as an “exhibition” and continued to tell his listeners that he couldn’t get interested. Francessa pointed to players that didn’t participate and the casual and cautious approach many took toward playing for their country. It was his contention that “American players don’t care.”

The U.S. roster did seem light, even with the presence of Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins at shortstop and Chipper Jones and David Wright at third. Davey Johnson’s team ran out of first basemen, his bullpen threw gas on fires and Roy Oswalt and Jake Peavy were average as starters. Adam Dunn and Evan Longoria were late additions. Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia fullfilled their stocking team’s worst nightmare by getting hurt. Grady Sizemore, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Joe Mauer were all nursing injuries. Count Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, Lance Berkman, Josh Hamilton, Matt Holliday, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, Russell Martin and Brian Roberts among the missing fielders and CC Sabathia, Roy Halliday, Brandon Webb, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Papelbon, Brad Lidge and Bobby Jenks among the missing arms.

The media coverage was helter-skelter. Starting with games being played in the early morning from the far east, and continuing with bouncing coverage by ESPN and the MLB Network, it was hard to get a handle on when to watch. Print sources were even worse with some sports pages offering no coverage at all. The final game wrap-up provided by the The Sporting News didn’t have a box score available. Probably too many tough names from Japan and Korea.

The future of the WBC remains in a state of debate, but only in the U.S. Japan, for one participant, is fine with the current format and looks at the American media rhetoric about the WBC as sort of a reverse Tokyo Rose diatribe. Finding a good time to play remains the biggest problem for the american critics. The March timeline proved doable, but will always be froth with rusty players, nagging injuries and team reluctance and precautions. All the other alternatives shine back on Selig and his money machine. It’s not likely he’ll suspend play mid-season (when players would be in peak condition) or interfere with with his Fall Classic that could (with foul weather) extend into November. Rallying players to join a team for more games after a nearly 9-month season would likely do no better than the current format.

Despite the expansion of the game around the world and the benefits of finding new revenues and sources for players, Bud Selig and Major League Baseball will continue to hold their World Series, which according to Selig, designates the “World Champion of Baseball,” except in Japan, where they’re thinking about putting in an asterisk.