AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > February > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTo pros, national pride is (yawn) amateur stuff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Some stability was welcomed into the World Baseball Classic the other day when Cuba announced its provisional roster. The good news about Cuba’s inclusion in anything is it’s never going to be followed by a player’s statement that reads: “After careful consideration, it pains me to withdraw so that I can rest my groin before what I expect to be my final season with the Dodgers, after which I plan to sign a $47 million contract in free agency. But my heart is with you, Fidel.”
Not surprisingly, several major league players, who have more to worry about than losing their Lada, have dropped out of the WBC.
Not surprisingly, several NHL players, coming off the most illogical work (and income) stoppage in pro sports history, have withdrawn from the Winter Olympics in Turin.
A closer from Panama (Mariano Rivera) and a goalie from Finland (Mikka Kiprusoff) wouldn’t seem to have much in common. But they do share one trait: paychecks with several digits to the left of the decimal point.
Pro athletes have different priorities than amateurs. They usually involve a house, a car and a boat — not a team warm-up suit and standing for an anthem.
The Winter Olympics open Friday in Turin. The World Baseball Classic is in March. The former is a diversion we see every four years. The latter is a start-up venture by baseball. But both have suffered self-inflicted damage from marketing departments.
The Olympics should be about athletes we’ve never heard of, from countries we’ve never been to, competing in sports we’ve seldom seen. The hockey shouldn’t be a collection of NHL all-stars, divided up by country, whose strongest current desire is to win a Stanley Cup and pay the rent.
All Olympic athletes should have one thing in common: Nothing is more important to them than a gold medal. But the NHL was determined to sell T-shirts, and suddenly nobody cared that arguably the greatest moment in Olympic history was a bunch of obscure kids beating the Soviets in Lake Placid.
NHL players have rediscovered what they were missing during the lockout: groin injuries. Many have withdrawn because of an injury, hint of injury or fear of an injury. They include goalies Kiprusoff (Finland/Calgary) and Kari Lehtonen (Finland/Thrashers), forward Marcus Naslund (Sweden/Vancouver) and defenseman Ed Jovanovski (Canada/Vancouver). Two banged-up all-stars, defenseman Scott Niedermayer (Canada/Anaheim) and forward Peter Forsberg (Sweden/Philadelphia), haven’t pulled out yet but may decide to. Three NHL Russians — Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Zubov and Sergei Fedorov — also have this thing about playing for their native country. It’s not a good thing.
Lehtonen felt pressure, both internally and indirectly from the Thrashers, to withdraw. It wasn’t an easy decision. He was named Finland’s goalie before he had even returned to the Thrashers from a groin/abdominal injury.
When asked a month ago if he would decline the Olympic invitation, Lehtonen said: “It’s like playing in the Super Bowl. That’s how it feels for the Finnish guys. If we decided I’m not going, I’d have to get a USA passport because I wouldn’t be allowed to go back.”
Withdrawing doesn’t make him selfish. It makes him a smart guy with new priorities. But college players and amateurs in Canada and Europe don’t have the same concerns. It’s the Olympics — you go.
The World Baseball Classic seems doomed to failure regardless. It’s barely registering a pulse with the public, and players (and owners) don’t like the conflict with spring training. An international tournament of amateurs wouldn’t have the same star power, but the star power in this one is falling quickly. The Braves’ John Smoltz and Tim Hudson have declined invitations. So have Rivera, Jorge Posada, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui and Nomar Garciaparra, who said: “I wish the Mexican National team great success … and I will be supporting them enthusiastically.”
Of course he will.
Barry Bonds pulled out. He cited health concerns. Didn’t mention the Olympic-level drug testing (which includes screening for HGH) that all players will be subjected to. But I’m certain it’s just a coincidence.
The “Classic” opens March 3. It may not mean much, but the Cubans don’t have much to look forward to after this. I think I found my sentimental favorite.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz, Other, Thrashers / NHL
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Larry
February 7, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this
U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A… I’m not exactly sure what a World Baseball Classic is, but I hope the US wins! It’ll be like the 1980 Miracle on Ice if the US can pull out a victory in this classic! Nothing else could reunite our country like the sweet, sweet taste of Classic Gold in this tournament.
By geechee
February 7, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Ah yes, Mr. Bonds, the future Mr. Asterix, Jeff, do you believe, that he believes, that we believe, his head expanding to the size of a watermelon overnight was just a normal growth pattern? The bigger question is why did he feel he had to do it?
Larry, nice thought but, if 9/11 could not unite us what the hell is a hockey game going to do?
By Larry
February 7, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
I just think there will be some serious partyin going in the streets if the US wins this thing, thats all I’m saying. It’ll be like a nation wide Mardi Gras.
By BirdDawg
February 7, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I am shocked, SHOCKED! that coming directly on the heels of learning that there would be extreme drug testing for the WBC, Barry Bonds of all people withdrew from the competion. I mean, what does Barry Bonds have to hide from drug testing? Isn’t baseball a “clean” sport again? Hasn’t Bud the Buffoon made baseball safe for the players bottoms again (all those needles puncturing places which make it hard to sit on those pinewood benches)?
Jeff, please tell me that Barry isn’t using steriods! My world will be crushed! I mean, the poor man has enough to worry about, what with his freakishly large head which just keeps on growing, and growing. Someone has to do something about that! Poor Barry Bonds.
By Brendan
February 8, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this
Kari Lehtonen “swears” he received no pressure to withdraw from the Olympics. I think I believe him. If he doesn’t heal his groin, and perform down the stretch, then many will be “reevaluating” the 2002 Draft.
If Kari’s groin is going to be “chronically injured,” then it changes the landscape of the Thrashers goaltending situation. Does it not? It means there must be “alternating” netminders, since Kari, apparently, can’t go in consecutive nights.
But really, let’s be honest. If this is the kind of injury that’s never going away, the Thrashers might be forced to think about “getting something” for Kari while they still can.
But, that’s a “knee jerk” and premature reaction. We’re hardly there, yet. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. If Kari falters down the stretch run of Waddell’s guaranteed playoff berth, I suspect all sorts of changes could be made. Including a trade. That is, if you can find a suitor. Who wants a perpetually-injured goalie, who can only go half the time?
By SouthernJackAssRadioPersonalityGoneHaywireRR
February 8, 2006 01:29 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz looks like the kinda guy that could strip the corn off the cob from just one end—Now, lay off Barroid Bonds, he just might be suffering from cranial elephantiasis!…hell..he’s one of the greatest cheaters OF ALL TIME!!!… GO METS!
By Peter
February 8, 2006 02:06 AM | Link to this
Cheap shot at Bonds, beneath the level to which we’ve thought, mistakenly, to expect from you.
MLB has certainly tightened it’s testing policy and who has been tested more than Bonds?? More people mad at Bonds than McGwire? That makes sense to you?
If Bonds were worried about testing then why would he have agreed to play in the first place?
By brewerfaninATL
February 8, 2006 07:03 AM | Link to this
Who really cares about the WBC? I mean, is anyone really surprised that most of the US stars (Bonds, Smoltz, etc.) are pulling out? The US will get slaughtered by the Dominicans or Puerto Ricans anyway. In fact, the WBC means more to foreign countries than US…there’s more passion involved. Shoot, there’s already a DR-Puerto Rico World Series going on and most of the big MLB stars are representing their respective countries. The reason is more passion. All Bonds cares about is breaking the HR record, nothing more. I hate to say this about anybody but I wish Bonds ended his career at 713 HR, not only does he not pass Aaron, but he wouldn’t pass the Babe either…that would be justice!
By Barry B
February 8, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this
I am not on steroids. Becoming the HR king is my goal and while I am not taking steroids I am taking special pills a long with dieting that makes my head larger. I just want it be easier for the makers of my bobblehead doll to get the proportionments correct.
By BirdDawg
February 8, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Peter, I would say you are naive, but you’ve pushed far past naivete’. And how do you know how many times Barry has been tested? Does he tell you? DO you have the report from MLB? It’s a random process.
If you have this much of a problem putting 1 and 1 together and getting 2, Peter, that’s just ignorance. Innocent until proven guilty is one thing, refusing to believe what you see, sticking your head in the sand is another.
By Matthew
February 8, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
Barry Bonds is innocent until proven guilty, that is the law of the land. If you don’t like it then move to China or North Korea where it isn’t. Barry Bonds has passed every drug test given to him by Major League Baseball and passed. If he hadn’t passed Major League Baseball would have suspended him and we woudl have known about it. Just like with Rafael Palmiero.
I can fully understand why Barry Bonds doesn’t want to compete in the World Baseball Classic. Barry Bonds is comming off a season where he would have passed Babe Ruth and even possibly Hank Aaron had he not been out most of the year with an injured knee. He does not want and should not risk re-injuring his knee in a meaningless exhibition tournament.
This has nothing to do with steroids. You guys are just haters because you are jealous you don’t have the discipline to dedicate yourselves to the gym and to a propper diet in order to achieve Bond’s physical condition.
Believe me I know all about knee injuries and how they can ruin a sports career no matter how great you are. I found that out myself the hard way. I was a middle school all-star baseball phenom who could pitch, had power from both sides of the plate, and could throw out runners from the deepest depths of the outfield. If I hadn’t injured my knees I could be the one leading the U.S. to victory in the World Baseball Classic.
By BirdDawg
February 8, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
“Matthew,” what you lack in intelligence, you make up for in long-windedness.
Baseball’s drug testing is STILL a joke! The don’t test for human growth hormones, which can help even more than anabolic steriods. Why do you think Bonds begged out, oh full-of-hot-air one? Because his body is pumped full of HGH!
Seriously, you people have to be kidding me with you want to bury your heads in the sand, and ignore everything (EVERYTHING!) that you see when it comes to this biggest cheater in the history of baseball. The fact that he has the chance to break a record set by a gentleman, by the greatest ballplayer ever, by a man who overcame so much hate to do what he did, sickens me. Bonds’ stats were not gotten from his natural talent. They are chemically induced stats.
Baseball is forever broken. Bud the Buffoon is doing his best to trick us all, but until congress steps in and demands that all proffessional sports, but MLB most of all, adhere to the WDA Olympic standard, than baseball will always be a haven for ‘roid-ragers, and guys pumping themselves full of amphetamines and HGH.
“Matthew,” you, like always, are absolutely ridiculous. I don’t think any of us missed you at all when you left for a week. Why did you come back? And that’s a rhetorical question.
By TennesseePaul
February 8, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
SouthernJackAssRadioPersonalityGoneHaywireRR —- Point noted, Barry is ONE of the greatest cheaters of all time. I’d say the other is Slammin’ Sammy Sosa. I’d even put Sammy higher than Barry. Sosa, lest we forget, has had the same head growth as Barry AND has also be busted for corking his bat. AND he did try to play with out his juice and stunk up the place like he was a Met.
By brewerfaninATL
February 8, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
Hey Brokeback Matthew: If you don’t think Bonds is a “roid-head” then you are living in fantasy land! Explain to me how one can jump from about 180 lbs. to a whopping 270 in ONE offseason…same as McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiroid, etc. Jealous of Barroid? HAHAHA! He needs to EARN every stat, like Aaron, Mays, Mantle, etc. They are legends, Bonds is a classless a-hole who cares about no one but himself. Once again, you are completely WRONG…no surprise!
By greg
February 8, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
The WBC is not meaningless at all. I see it soon surpassing the World Series in terms of popularity. The proper metaphor would be the WBC in 2006 is like AOL stock in the early 90s. Soon, its popularity will soar out of control, and MLB will be considered the minor leagues. Keep in mind the first Super Bowl was played in front of 20,000 empty seats in LA. Look at it now though. The WBC is going to be even bigger.
By Puppet, Please!
February 8, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Matthew, you are the man! Hysterical. I can’t believe you pulled out the “I was a middle school phenom”. That is classic. I on the other had was a T-ball titan!! Bashing from both sides of the plate, I would run all day daring the fielders to throw me out as I cirled the bases in under a minute! I ruled! Bow to me, simians.
Barry is/was a great athlete and can hit, no one will take that away from him. But he let his ego and desire to be the greatest of all time push him to taking the needle. That guy is pumped so full of drugs if you cut him open a pharmacist would pop out. Yes, he still has to hit the ball but he wasn’t content with being the best of his generation and that required hitting a lot more homers. Time will tell if hes telling the truth, because athletic specimens don’t drop dead in their fifties from enlarged hearts. And that ain’t hating, its the truth.
By Scott
February 8, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
The World Baseball Classic is going to be big, especially in the countries that actually still have patriotism, but it will never be bigger than the major leagues, at least not in the United States.
And if you don’t believe Bonds is on human growth hormone, you are just kidding yourself. I mean as soon as the olympic drug policy is set in place, Bonds drops out.
I’m sure you still believe Sosa and McGuire never did steroids either?
Oh and the Mets still suck.
By Matthew
February 8, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
During pre-school we played “Red Rover, Red Rover” a lot. Whenever I was called I always broke through the human chain. I was an elite athlete at that age. Perhaps, I was the very best at “Red Rover” that the whole world has ever seen. However, my knees gave out while performing the Tango at the Marine Corps Ball, and the rest is history. Man though, back the day, I was unstoppable. Is their a pre-school “Red Rover” HOF anyone? If so, I know I should be in it.
By Puppet, Please!
February 8, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
Oh, and I hate to say it, but the only way that the WBC will make it is if there are several talented teams that can beat the US. It also needs to be played somewhere else besides the US where there will be some riots and hooliganism. In short it needs to be like the World Cup. But it won’t, and it will suck. RIP, WBC.
By Puppet, Please!
February 8, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
OH MAN, you did not call me out on Red Rover!! I was baddest Rover Ranger on the scene. I was clotheslining and laying the smackdown on those chump children! Greatest Game ever! I challenge you Matthew to a round of full contact Ring-around-the-Rosey to settle greatest child athlete of all time. SUCKA!!!! You best bring your A-game Romper Room antics or you will get smoked Playa!
By Peerless' Mama.
February 8, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
NOW YOU CHILDREN STOP IT!
I am tired all of you calling each other out. That’s just plain RUDE!!!
I find it funny that “BirdDawg” likes to use “Matthew” as a batering ram when his writing style is really the same…
My guess is “BirdDawg” is really Cafaro but what do I know?
I know my son needs a job and if he could play baseball would definately be there for the WBC!
If they had one for football he would be there also, probably representing Khakistan, the only TRUE REPUBLIC ON EARTH!!!!!!
By SouthernJackassRadioPersonalityGoneHaywireRR
February 8, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this
Look..Give Barroid a little credit here..just like John Kerry..Barroid actually decided to play in the WBC before he actually decided against playing in the WBC..maybe he wasn’t aware of the WBC Olympic-level drug testing. He may not be on drugs, but I saw a couple dopers following him around trying to load up their needles with the sweat that was dropping from his head!..the head that required so much plaster to construct that a bobblehead just became too costly and was shelved. Also a couple reasons why these zillionaires might not want to play in the WBC are the Olympic-level drug testing, and because there is no money in it for them….You’s gotta pay dese guys!….now, for the “playground phenom” ….I myself was also a gradeschool prodigy..a prodigious savant..a near damn genius IQ..till one day this teacher discovers 2 Flintstones vitamins in my lunchpail..and my childhood was ruined..now I just blog with the rest of you losers!…and if MLB allows the world’s greatest CHEATER to break Aaron’s HR record..I’ll watch no more baseball.
By Matthew
February 8, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
Bonds has accomplished his feats within the rules of the game of baseball. He has never ever failed a drug test given by MLB. It is innocent until proven guilty unless you hate America and freedom.
You guys are just pawns of the liberal media who wants Barry to be a juicer just so they can exploit him to make money. They have already tried and convicted him in the media and now they are doing their best to bury him in the court of public opinion just like they are with Bush in his electronic wiretapping of terrorists. Everyone knows how much the liberal media hates America and freedom.
BirdDawg and brewerfaninATL I didn’t know you guys were so big insiders in MLB since they know everything about their steroid testing policy. They have access to all reports and even hold the little cup for the players to urinate in. No drinking on the job fellows!
Let me guess, brewerfaninATL gets the steroids and BirdDawg injects them into Barry’s posterior. I mean that is the only way you guys would know for sure like you guys claim. Until then just shut up, all you are is making yourselves look even stupider than you really are.
brewerfaninATL asks: Explain to me how one can jump from about 180 lbs. to a whopping 270 in ONE off-season”. Just ask your wife, I heard she is the expert.
BirdDawg asks where have I been? Well I was studying for a major test in my interior decorating class at my community college. Of course college is something an uneducated redneck as yourself would know nothing about.
Puppet, Please!, While I admire your athletic accomplishments I will be unable to accept your challenge due to my injured knees. If it was before that unfortunate Tango incident I would wipe up the lawn with you. Of course that is pretty brave of you challenging a person with hurt knees to an athletic competition, you coward. Why did you stop participating in sports? Were you injured like me or just too lazy?
Peerless’ Mama, while I agree they are acting like children for calling me out with no provocation, I must reiterate one more time that I am not that idiot BirdDawg. My posts are much more intelligent, actually makes sense, and I can actually spell. BirdDawg is just some dumb redneck coward 3rd grader who is upset because I am way smarter than him.
By SouthernJackassRadioPersonalityGoneHaywireRR
February 8, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Matthew—this is America—where even uneducated morons like you have the freedom of speech to bloviate to their hearts’ content—so go insert your head back up your a ss and dream of Barroid Bonds’ posterior—and I imagine you probably injured those knees in some other way…
By Casual Observer
February 8, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
BirdDawg = Original Matthew
Matthew = Person that original Matthew really annoyed (and someone with a lot of free time)
Now, can we get back to commenting on the WBC?
By Peerless' Mama.
February 8, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight?
“Matthew” is smarter than “BirdDawg”?
That could be, but I don’t think the cup is what they are holding during the tests you refer to….
By Just Joe
February 8, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
I think that BirdDawg, brewerfaninATL, and Matthew are the same guy who is for some reason arguing with himself in order to gain acceptance of his BirdDawg personna. In the beginnig they were the only two who acknowledges “Matthew” and constantly calls him out. BirdDawg’s post came almost immediately after Matthew’s first post, only 10 minutes apart. Then just 18 minutes later brewerfaninATL posts against Matthew because nobody took the bait. Weird, some people take internet popularity too seriously. They also have too much time on their hands.
Now with the real subject at hand, I have to watch and see how the WBC develops. Maybe not having the rich big names there will make it better since the team will be staffed with younger guys who want to make a name for themselves. Players who are not scared to risk injury by going all out. If we had the big money guys in it, they would just jake it and be happy for for an early elimination so they can go home. Look how pathetic our hockey team has gotten with NHL players, they don’t even try. Then look at the amateurs back in Lake Placid who captured the nation’s hearts. If anything it is baseball to watch, and I watch baseball because I love the game not just because of which stars are playing.
By Puppet, Please!
February 8, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this
No, ring-around-the-rosey? This blog sucks.
Matthew, don’t you find it hysterical when people comment on other people’s lack of intelligence by saying that they are “stupider”. That is the best. And BTW since when is challenging a “kick-a*-Marine” to anything full contact cowardly? Bad knees or not, most marines can still kick a*. I was just offering up my heinie for a little school yard fun. Thats more your speed, isn’t it Tough Guy? And I still participate in sports, I don’t feel it necessary to talk about it because, unlike you, I realize nobody gives a darn how good I am at them….even though I am great in everything and would totally obliterate you in anything, because I am an elite physical specimen who knows a juiced up Barroid when I see one. Plus my knees are like pistons of titanium steel.
Old McGuire- skinny strong kid - 40 homers New McGuire- Bulked up humongoid- 70 homers
Old Barry- skinny strong kid- 35 homers New Barry- StayPuft RoidMallow Man- 73 homers
My observation: Old Matthew= Arrogant jackhole New Matthew= Arrogant jackhole
By another casual observer
February 8, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
Matthew and BirdDawg are the same person. The 10 minute span between their posts in the beginning gave it away. Bird Dawgs long response to “Matthew” is posted only 10 minutes after the Matthew post. It would have taken BirdDawg several minutes to type that post. So unless “BirdDawg” randomly read Matthews posts within about 6 minutes of it being posted, then BirdDawg and Matthew are one and the same. He’s probably just disillusioned Dawg Trash wasting time on the blogs.
By THESouthernJackassRadioPersonalityGoneHaywireRR_Savant
February 8, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this
Time to bring in the closer on this beeeyatch………
By Bo
February 9, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
Given Hell BIRDDAWG……