The Mets Police

Never thought I'd be writing about Hugo Chavez on this blog.

Apparently the leader of Venezuela is quite ticked off at MLB teams, particularly the Mets, for not allowing Venezuelan players to represent their country in the World Baseball Classic.

Chaves was quoted as saying "They take away the athlete's right and duty ... to represent Venezuela"

A duty? Really? Playing in the WBC is a duty?

Of particular concern is that the Mets may not clear Sanatana to pitch in the tournament.

Unlike my colleague MetsPolice, I am actually a big supporter of the WBC (more on that later), but let's be real, no way is it a duty.

Then again, if the US Congress can waste time and resources to hold hearings on steroid use in baseball, I guess Chavez can blow off some steam about MLB too.

www.metspolice.com

(Note.  I cop to blowing it on the first version of this piece.  I mistakenly had A-Rod on team USA.  A-Rod was on team USA last time but this time he will play for the Dominican Republic.  Bad job outta me.  Guilty.  I do think A-Rod switching teams is a good topic for a rainy day.)

I know what baseball is trying to do, again, with the World Baseball Classic, but I just can't get excited about it.

Instead of being excited that "my guys" are playing - I'm fearful that they might get hurt (hey the could also fall on the ice) but also that they aren't spending time with the team.

Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes away from the club for a few weeks.  Um, aren't they sort of the main guys on the team?  Wouldn't you want them around?

Oh yeah let's send Santana and K-Rod there too.

Do you really care if the USA beats Italy 16-0 or if there's some amazing final game where Jose Reyes is facing K-Rod in the 9th?   (Really, really are you going to watch Venezuela vs the Dominican Republic?  Really?)

Wouldn't you rather the Mets win 3-2 at Port St. Lucie on a lonesome Wednesday afternoon?  Have all the guys there under Jerry's watchful eye so he can build a team?

I'm more interested in the fourth starter than the WBC.  I'll get more excited about Jon Niese pitching four scoreless innings than I will about Wright homering against Canada.  The Mets couldn't possibly let Santana pitch in this, could they?

I notice that none of the Yankees new toys were invited.  Sure A-Rod & The Captain will be there, but Tex will be making friends with his new teammates, and C.C. and A.J. can keep their arms well rested for meaningful games in October, not March.


www.metspolice.com