Jeff Schultz: Braves shouldn't have to take injury risk with World Baseball Classic

All of which begs the question: Wait, is Atlanta still part of the world?

Because the last time I checked, what happens in Atlanta over the next six months and then, in the perfect blueprint, October, is far more important than what happens against Venezuela, Brazil and the Netherlands in the next few weeks.

Major League Baseball has been in a snit ever since the Olympics dropped baseball. So for the third time, in an effort to sell more merchandise in Spain, Israel and Chinese Taipei, we are being subjected to the World Baseball Classic.

Nobody is certain how it got to be “Classic.” Probably because it looked better on a T-shirt than “World Baseball Impediment.”

I’m not anti-international competitions. The Olympics, because of politics and security issues, may often seem on the verge of short-circuiting itself, but the Summer and Winter Games remain signature sports events. Same for the World Cup.

The problem with the WBC is it doesn’t register with most fans in the U.S., who tend to be more concerned about the team they pay to watch.

Braves starter Kris Medlen declined an invitation to play for the U.S. because his wife was due with their first child, but he has since come to the realization that “no” would’ve been the correct answer regardless.

“It’s spring training,” he said. “We’re here to get ready for what we’re really getting paid for.”

Manager Fredi Gonzalez echoed those sentiments: “As soon as this thing starts, there’s going to be 30 managers losing sleep, worrying about that phone call that you may get. Or you’ll be sitting there watching (on television) and see one of your guys tweak something or roll something.”

MLB doesn’t care what managers think of this little tournament. Good thing.

“It would be 30 no's,” Gonzalez said. “Actually, I also know of a Japanese manager I met in the Dominican, and he didn’t like it, either.”

Before leaving for Taiwan, Simmons acknowledged he was torn about the commitment he had made. Kimbrel said he might’ve passed if the trip were longer than Arizona, but he didn’t hesitate when he was invited.

“The chance to represent my country is pretty awesome,” he said. “You only live once.”

It’s an understandable sentiment, particularly for a 24-year-old who never has had an opportunity to pitch in international competition. But these are exhibitions, scheduled to grow the sport in faraway lands, not the 30 MLB markets, where most of the players are employed.

Gonzalez again: “There’s not too many Kimbrels walking around. If you lose somebody like that for a significant amount of time, it can jeopardize your season.”

Kimbrel acknowledges preparing at a faster pace than usual in anticipation of the WBC. An altered routine doesn’t guarantee an injury, but the possibility certainly exists.

Boston blamed the WBC for pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka's injuries and decline in 2009. There were similar storylines in Cincinnati (Edinson Volquez) and Chicago (Jake Peavy).

ESPN, a financial partner, has gone to great lengths to pimp the WBC. Some of their writers have deflected criticism of the tournament by noting the chances of a player being injured are equally great in a spring practice.

That misses the point. If Simmons trips over the dugout steps on Disney property, at least he will have done so as a Brave, not as a guy on loan to the Netherlands.

Which is easier to accept?

This is big stuff in Japan and China. Nationalistic pride is high elsewhere. The U.S. has more year-round sports options. Baseball is serious business here. It’s why fans pay high ticket prices and teams pay high salaries, all with the hopes that their team might make it to the World Series. That’s the only “World” event where injury is worth the risk.

 About Jeff Schultz

Jeff Schultz is a general sports columnist and blogger who isn't afraid to share his opinion, which may not necessarily jibe with yours.

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