Odd Man Rush

I love international competition in sports.  During the Olympics, I watch sports I care nothing about (fencing? curling?) because I love how excited athletes get about representing their country.  The passion is unmistakable.  That’s why I don’t get the hatred in the media for the World Baseball Classic.  Sure, the timing isn’t perfect.  Major League teams are getting ready for their season.  But how many people really pay attention to spring training?  I love baseball, and the only reason I can sit through a spring training game is that I’ve been jonesing for baseball since the end of the World Series.  Meaningful games in March?  Sign me up.

Peter Gammons disagrees with me.  He says that fan bases for the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and Cubs should not and do not care about how well their national team is doing.  They should be worried about the health of their superstars.  By the way, if anybody knows about those four teams, it’s Peter Gammons.  Those are the only teams he reports on.  But you know what?  My loyalty to team has been pushed aside these last few days.  I have found myself rooting for Derek Jeter for the very first time.  Last night, I openly rooted for Geovanny Soto to ground into a double play.  Does that mean that I’ll continue to do so once April 6 rolls around?  NO. WAY.  But Team USA is in the semifinals.  If you can cheer for your country in bobsledding or synchronized diving, why not baseball?