Passan: The WBC is a Farce

From Jeff Passan:The World Baseball Classic is a farce. There’s no other way to put it. As much great baseball as it showcases, and as much as it means to other countries, until the United States starts treating the games as something more than exhibitions, the American public will continue to ignore it, and rightfully so. This has little to do with the outcome of Team USA’s game Saturday night against Puerto Rico, an 11-1 mercy killing. ... ... What’s inconceivable and inexplicable and downright insulting to anyone who wants the WBC to succeed was Team USA manager Davey Johnson’s explanation of why he continued to let his starting pitcher, Jake Peavy, rot away any chance for a win with pitch after ugly pitch that the Puerto Ricans sprayed to every corner of Dolphin Stadium. “Just basically let him get a little more work,” Johnson said. Really. OK, just to go over this one time: The WBC bills itself as a tournament to determine the world’s best team and spread the game’s allure (and...