Wednesday, May 11 2005 Around the Majors
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(Sports Network) - Major League Baseball is going global next March when a 16-nation tournament featuring the world's best players will take place. It took a while to form, but the World Baseball Classic was finally agreed to be played following a joint announcement from MLB and its Players Association. Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization and the International Baseball Federation also had a hand in putting together the tournament.
The announcement came after Wednesday's owners' meeting in New York.
"This gathering of baseball's brightest stars will be an outstanding platform to grow the game internationally," said MLB commissioner Bud Selig. "As baseball continues to grow globally, more and more fans around the world have the opportunity to appreciate the grace and excitement of our great game. The first World Baseball Classic will bring a unique blend of enthusiasm to old and new fans alike."
A total of 16 teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia will compete in the event, which will be four rounds. It will be held at different sites in the United States, Asia and Latin America with more information coming in July, likely at the All-Star break.
In what figures to be an World Cup style tournament, it will be intriguing to see matchups such as Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux pitching for the United States against Ichiro Suzuki for Japan or Sammy Sosa for the talent-laden Dominican Republic. Reigning AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana could pitch for Venezuela, while Mariano Rivera may throw for Panama. The possibilities are there for some exciting matchups next March, and now it's become a reality. However, those matchups are not guaranteed, as players will take part in the tournament on a volunteer basis.
"The World Baseball Classic reflects and will demonstrate the continued growth of baseball's appeal worldwide," said union chief Donald Fehr. "We thank the participating leagues, players associations and federations for agreeing to be a part of this event. Major leaguers look forward to the World Baseball Classic with great anticipation."
One of the hangups in getting the tournament organized was drug testing, but since the union and MLB have come to an agreement on a tougher testing policy and are now on board with the International Baseball Federation to have international drug testing standards, the tournament will go ahead, albeit a year later than the original launch date.
OWNERS ENDORSE SELIG'S STEROIDS PLAN
Owners are now backing Selig in his attempt for tougher penalties for steroid use by players, even more so than the new plan that was renegotiated as part of the current collective bargaining agreement.
On April 25, Selig sent a letter to Fehr and spelled out a "three strikes and you're out" approach for ridding players from the game for steroid violations. The new policy, which would add amphetamines to the list of banned substances, would increase discipline levels to 50 games for the first offense, 100 games for the second, and a lifetime ban for the third, has received unwavering support from owners.
"It is absolutely essential that baseball adopts the commissioner's steroid plan - and the sooner the better," said Houston Astros Chairman Drayton McLane, Jr. "We are committed to eliminating the illegal use of performance-enhancing substances from the game and, I believe, this new "three strikes and you're out" plan will accomplish that goal."
Under Selig's plan, there would also be an increase in the number of tests in the random component of the program, and an independent expert would administer the program in place of the current Health Policy Advisory Committee.
"I commend commissioner Selig for taking this firm and decisive action," said John Moores, Chairman of the San Diego Padres. "The recent publicity surrounding the alleged steroid abuse of our players has damaged the public confidence in our game, which we must restore as quickly as possible, and I urge the Players Association to join the commissioner in ridding our sport of these dangerous drugs."
Under the current program, there is a 10-day suspension for a first steroid offense, a 30-day suspension for a second violation, a 60-day penalty for a third offense, and a year suspension for a fourth. The fifth penalty will be dealt with at the commissioner's discretion.
The union has left the door open to talk about a tougher policy, one which Selig wrote about.
Baseball has come under fire about allegations of steroid use from a number of its players and there have been a handful of suspensions already this year, including Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Rincon and Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez.
"It is clear now that steroid users upset the balance of competition on the playing field and raise public suspicions about the integrity of the game," said White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. "There is no room for cheating in our game, and I believe the commissioner's plan will put an end to the speculation."
BIG TURNAROUND FOR PONSON
The Baltimore Orioles are on the hook for $8.5 million this year to Sidney Ponson, but judging how he's performed so far that may be a bargain. The veteran righthander was 3-12 with a 6.29 ERA at the All-Star break in 2004. However, this year, the 28-year-old is off to a 5-1 start, although his ERA is still high (4.93).
Ponson has thrown eight solid innings in each of his last two starts and already has a complete game this season, helping the Orioles maintain first- place in the AL East.
His latest victory came Wednesday against Santana and the Twins at Camden Yards. The big difference is not just how Ponson is pitching, but the run support he's gathered. In his seven starts this season, the Orioles have scored 51 runs, an average of more than seven per game.
The big question is will Ponson have a fall from grace? Last year, he was brutal in the first half of the season, but then went 8-3 after the All-Star break. His pivotal month is approaching. Last June, Ponson went 0-6 with a 6.46 ERA, becoming the fourth Oriole to lose six games in a month and first since Robin Roberts in May 1965. Ponson lost a career-high nine straight starts and 12 of 13 decisions to conclude the first half, but has renewed confidence this year and his Orioles continue to amaze the Yankees, Red Sox and the rest of the league.
<HR>
(Sports Network) - Major League Baseball is going global next March when a 16-nation tournament featuring the world's best players will take place. It took a while to form, but the World Baseball Classic was finally agreed to be played following a joint announcement from MLB and its Players Association. Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization and the International Baseball Federation also had a hand in putting together the tournament.
The announcement came after Wednesday's owners' meeting in New York.
"This gathering of baseball's brightest stars will be an outstanding platform to grow the game internationally," said MLB commissioner Bud Selig. "As baseball continues to grow globally, more and more fans around the world have the opportunity to appreciate the grace and excitement of our great game. The first World Baseball Classic will bring a unique blend of enthusiasm to old and new fans alike."
A total of 16 teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia will compete in the event, which will be four rounds. It will be held at different sites in the United States, Asia and Latin America with more information coming in July, likely at the All-Star break.
In what figures to be an World Cup style tournament, it will be intriguing to see matchups such as Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux pitching for the United States against Ichiro Suzuki for Japan or Sammy Sosa for the talent-laden Dominican Republic. Reigning AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana could pitch for Venezuela, while Mariano Rivera may throw for Panama. The possibilities are there for some exciting matchups next March, and now it's become a reality. However, those matchups are not guaranteed, as players will take part in the tournament on a volunteer basis.
"The World Baseball Classic reflects and will demonstrate the continued growth of baseball's appeal worldwide," said union chief Donald Fehr. "We thank the participating leagues, players associations and federations for agreeing to be a part of this event. Major leaguers look forward to the World Baseball Classic with great anticipation."
One of the hangups in getting the tournament organized was drug testing, but since the union and MLB have come to an agreement on a tougher testing policy and are now on board with the International Baseball Federation to have international drug testing standards, the tournament will go ahead, albeit a year later than the original launch date.
OWNERS ENDORSE SELIG'S STEROIDS PLAN
Owners are now backing Selig in his attempt for tougher penalties for steroid use by players, even more so than the new plan that was renegotiated as part of the current collective bargaining agreement.
On April 25, Selig sent a letter to Fehr and spelled out a "three strikes and you're out" approach for ridding players from the game for steroid violations. The new policy, which would add amphetamines to the list of banned substances, would increase discipline levels to 50 games for the first offense, 100 games for the second, and a lifetime ban for the third, has received unwavering support from owners.
"It is absolutely essential that baseball adopts the commissioner's steroid plan - and the sooner the better," said Houston Astros Chairman Drayton McLane, Jr. "We are committed to eliminating the illegal use of performance-enhancing substances from the game and, I believe, this new "three strikes and you're out" plan will accomplish that goal."
Under Selig's plan, there would also be an increase in the number of tests in the random component of the program, and an independent expert would administer the program in place of the current Health Policy Advisory Committee.
"I commend commissioner Selig for taking this firm and decisive action," said John Moores, Chairman of the San Diego Padres. "The recent publicity surrounding the alleged steroid abuse of our players has damaged the public confidence in our game, which we must restore as quickly as possible, and I urge the Players Association to join the commissioner in ridding our sport of these dangerous drugs."
Under the current program, there is a 10-day suspension for a first steroid offense, a 30-day suspension for a second violation, a 60-day penalty for a third offense, and a year suspension for a fourth. The fifth penalty will be dealt with at the commissioner's discretion.
The union has left the door open to talk about a tougher policy, one which Selig wrote about.
Baseball has come under fire about allegations of steroid use from a number of its players and there have been a handful of suspensions already this year, including Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Rincon and Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez.
"It is clear now that steroid users upset the balance of competition on the playing field and raise public suspicions about the integrity of the game," said White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. "There is no room for cheating in our game, and I believe the commissioner's plan will put an end to the speculation."
BIG TURNAROUND FOR PONSON
The Baltimore Orioles are on the hook for $8.5 million this year to Sidney Ponson, but judging how he's performed so far that may be a bargain. The veteran righthander was 3-12 with a 6.29 ERA at the All-Star break in 2004. However, this year, the 28-year-old is off to a 5-1 start, although his ERA is still high (4.93).
Ponson has thrown eight solid innings in each of his last two starts and already has a complete game this season, helping the Orioles maintain first- place in the AL East.
His latest victory came Wednesday against Santana and the Twins at Camden Yards. The big difference is not just how Ponson is pitching, but the run support he's gathered. In his seven starts this season, the Orioles have scored 51 runs, an average of more than seven per game.
The big question is will Ponson have a fall from grace? Last year, he was brutal in the first half of the season, but then went 8-3 after the All-Star break. His pivotal month is approaching. Last June, Ponson went 0-6 with a 6.46 ERA, becoming the fourth Oriole to lose six games in a month and first since Robin Roberts in May 1965. Ponson lost a career-high nine straight starts and 12 of 13 decisions to conclude the first half, but has renewed confidence this year and his Orioles continue to amaze the Yankees, Red Sox and the rest of the league.
