..and is so serious about it, he’d like to see it before his term expires in 2012. SI.com has the report:
TOKYO (AP) — The champions of U.S. Major League Baseball could face the champions of Japanese professional baseball in a regular Global World Series under a plan being discussed by the two countries.
In meetings with Japanese commissioner Ryozo Kato in Milwaukee, MLB commissioner Bud Selig proposed that the Japanese and U.S. champions play each other, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Thursday.
“I was surprised, Mr. Selig said he wants to realize the plan before his tenure ends,” Kato told the Nikkansports.
Selig is set to retire in 2012.
When he took office in 2008, Kato, a former Japanese ambassador to the United States, said one of his goals was an international series between the world’s two biggest baseball nations.
Japan is the two-time defending champion of the World Baseball Classic, a national-teams tournament which involves professional players from leagues around the world.
I suppose we shouldn’t be overly surprised by this report, the World Baseball Classic has been Bud’s baby for years, the NFL and NBA have made attempts to go international in recent years and it seems to be where US professional sports are heading. But to actually play a series against Japan after the World Series is over would be one of the silliest things imaginable. First, it takes something away from the finality of the World Series. The season isn’t quite over yet, there’s still another exhibition to play halfway across the globe. Although most fans would probably consider this like the Pro Bowl played after the Super Bowl, an event that nobody takes all that seriously.
Next, Japanese Baseball isn’t on the same level of competition that MLB Baseball is. Washed up, aging MLB players have been going to Japan for decades and feasting on the talent over there. It’s something akin to AAAA, and we see what happens to those kinds of players when they have to face big league players, much less premier MLB competition. That’s not to say that there aren’t Japanese players here and there who succeed on the MLB level, but on a 25 man roster that may be a tiny handful of players. The starters on the Japanese team would be comprised of players who in all likelihood wouldn’t make the US team, even as bench players. This would be like the Olympic basketball ‘Dream Team’s of recent years. They would destroy the competition, which wouldn’t be much fun for either country. If the US team was to ever lose, it would be an embarrassment and a disgrace. It’s a lose-lose situation for the World Series champs. Bad idea, Bud.
(image courtesy of Business Week )
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10 Responses to Bud Selig wants Global Series
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TIQ IQ
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the Americans would crush the Japanese beacuse i believe in respoecting your opponents and never taking wins for granted. USA Basketball has had to learn that lesson the hard way a number of times in the face of weaker competition as well.
Having said that, it’s an idiotic idea because it would require more games and more travel of a team that would have already been taxed enough. More innings? 14-hour flights? Screw that. If Selig wants that, he’s going to have to give up something big in the next round of labor talks.
Also, for the record, I hate Bud Selig. He’s an incompetent, corrupt bastard.
Corrupt? Probably. Incompetent? It depends on his function. The second baseball made the Commish the head of the PRC, he essentially became less a protector of the game and more of a CEO. As such, his job was to stoke fan interest and maximize profits, two things he has done very well. The wild card are two innovations that I like and think have added plenty of revenue. The big blot on his record is steroids, but the game has not been financially impacted much by that scandal.
Moving the Brewers to the NL pissed me off too. He took two well balanced leagues and screwed up both of them because he was nostalgic for Warren Spahn and the Braves. Why do the idiots last so long in the Commisioner’s job.
I don’t think it ever happens. The union would need to agree on it, as would the owners. I think there is a considerable amount of risk involved. Also, why stop at Japan? Cuba has stars, as does Venezuela. It’s a slippery slope, and the players like the time off. There is already evidence that a pitcher that extends himself into the post season often times struggles the following season (see Hamels, Cole). To add ANOTHER 13-15 innings on your stars arm could result in some major issues.
Will never happen. Maybe an All Star team (Americans vs. The World) would be assembled, like the Pro Bowl, but no way a Global Series occurs.
In theory, this is an interesting idea but not one that I’m a fan of for reasons already stated. Why can’t we stop at the WBC? The players already don’t want to participate in that, let alone more games AFTER taxing themselves to win the World Series. Let’s hope that 2012 comes and goes before Bud decides he wants to just combine all the world’s baseball leagues into one.
If there is a pot of gold at the end of Bud’s rainbow, the idea will and ought to get some consideration. If the deal would shorten the season (back to 154 games, perhaps) while increasing revenue (for players and owners) and play all Global Series games in one country on an every-other-year basis, the idea might take hold.
You’ve got to be kidding. This is a great idea and Bud Selig doesn’t get many great or even good ideas. Of course, it will be tough to figure out how to do it. It couldn’t happen immediately after the World Series, I think that would just be too much. But perhaps late in Spring Training. I don’t know but this is something that should be done. Make it best of three.
You answer is so typical. anything new about baseball is a bad idea. and yes, I think the MLB champion would whomp the Japanese but you never know. And yes, we have to figure a way out to include the Latin american teams. I know, its a stretch but I think its fabulously exciting and would ignite interest in baseball all around the world. thats probably why you think its a bad idea. Baseball people generally think anything thats fun, exciting, innovative or new is really bad.
Posts like this bother me the least. You haven’t ripped apart an idea I’ve raised, you haven’t poked huge holes in the logic I’ve employed, you haven’t proven your case in any way. All you’ve done is attack me personally (and you don’t know me at all) and stated that you disagree with me.
The disagreeing part I welcome, were all here to debate. When you have the scheduling worked out (Japanese and US seasons don’t coincide), when the games would actually be played when both countries can watch the games live (5 AM Baseball, anyone?) any reason to think the Japanese team could prevail, or other valid point to raise, I’d love to hear it.
with all this guys money he walks around with teeth like that?? george Wash. had better wooden teeth.. can’t wait for him to be gone, but when!!
lets the japs put a team in states, of coarse the NL. its not a matter of less games here to fit in a series after the WS, the pressure and tweeking of rosters ie. yankees 3 man rotation all out play,then go do it again for the ‘world stage or revenue hungry selig, no way if i was an owner would i play another WS after the season.. for my opinion this world BB stuff only hurts the players before they start our season. nov. baseball stinks. WS should be over by the 2sd. week of oct. lets play double headers again, or fit some day night DHs in