MIAMI (AP) – Honking horns, pulsing percussion and chanting crowds will transform Marlins Park into a Caribbean-style carnival this week for the World Baseball Classic.
To major league teams, it sounds dangerous.
WBC games are sure to inspire maximum effort by players eager to win for their country, which is exactly what worries their big league bosses. While spectators in the stands literally beat the drum on behalf of the international tournament, Major League Baseball managers and executives are less than thrilled about their players’ participation.
“You’re risking injury,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.
“I think most coaches and managers rather not have guys go,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, “but it has been good for baseball.”