Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY 25

A22 SPORTS
Saturday 25 March 2017

Manfred: WBC tournament had major success, has bright future

GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Even
before the United States
took the field to face Puer-
to Rico for the World Base-
ball Classic championship
on Wednesday night, Rob
Manfred was confident in
declaring this sometimes
troubled tournament to be
a smashing success.
The Major League Base-
ball Commissioner’s confi-
dence seemed well-found-
ed when the Americans
claimed their first WBC title
in grand style with an 8-0
victory at raucous Dodger
Stadium.
The fourth edition of the
WBC was the best-attend-
ed, the most-viewed world-
wide and likely the most
entertaining.
And this tournament’s long-
term health is undeniably
improved by the fact that
the home team won it all
for the first time.
“We’ve had crowds that The U.S team celebrates an 8-0 win over Puerto Rico in the final of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March
not only were record-num- 22, 2017.
ber crowds, but had pas- Associated Press
sion that it’s hard to think a tournament that gets wrong, but for the most this team came together of the first two tournaments,
where you saw something the kind of traction that part, up until this point, the and just went out every and it took off in attention
that good the last time,” the 2017 edition did, it will other countries were prob- night and did anything everywhere from South Ko-
Manfred said shortly be- make it easier to get play- ably into this event a little we can to win, it was spe- rea to the Netherlands this
fore the first pitch. “Just re- ers the next time around,” bit more than the United cial to be a part of. It was time out.
ally amazing. And best of Manfred said. “Not only States,” manager Jim Ley- the most fun I’ve ever had Puerto Rico is the latest
all, the games on the field for the U.S., but for all the land said. “But in talking to playing baseball.” team to ride the WBC wave
have been absolutely un- countries.” our players, I know they’re This group of 18 All-Stars after its charismatic collec-
believable, compelling. The robust ratings for MLB going to spread the word. got the U.S. into the final for tion of dyed-blond stars
Our players at their best, Network’s game broad- I’ve had some players al- the first time this year. The reached the final in style.
combined with a little na- casts and the raucous ready tell me this is the U.S. then capitalized with a Thousands of fans crowd-
tionalism, has really been a crowds of costumed, sing- greatest experience of championship game rout, ed the downtown streets
great thing.” ing fans in Los Angeles and their life. capping a streak of three in San Juan to watch the
Manfred and players’ union Miami belied the WBC’s “So hopefully we can get straight dramatic victories game broadcast.
head Tony Clark appear biggest problem, one that guys to play. But we had in must-win contests — the After years of flagging in-
to be in complete agree- still prevents a dwindling the right players. We had last two against previously terest in a once-popular
ment on the success of the number of American fans players that wanted to be unbeaten Japan and Puer- sport on the island, man-
2017 WBC, which attracted and players from taking it here, and that’s the kind of to Rico. ager Edwin Rodriguez sees
more than 1 million fans for seriously. players you want.” Clark believes many more “huge changes” in Puerto
the first time and expand- While the WBC sells out The international appeal of players appreciated the Rico’s baseball culture
ed its television reach as a stadiums and sparks base- the WBC still was a tough WBC’s unique appeal after over the past eight years.
unique worldwide platform ball curiosity from Tokyo sell to MLB teams and play- watching this tournament. He credits them partly to
for the game. Even before to Tel Aviv, the event still ers understandably preoc- Shortly after the opening the nation’s WBC success
the enthusiastic world- must persuade U.S. players cupied with their paying games, he began getting in 2013 as the runner-up to
wide reception and the and fans that it’s a world- jobs . Yet dozens of lesser calls and texts from players the Dominican Republic.
U.S. team’s winning surge class competition while American big-leaguers who wished they had taken “There’s more youngsters
at home, the WBC was ex- the biggest American stars filled out the rosters of other advantage of the chance. playing baseball,” Rodri-
pected to top $100 million are skipping it. Mike Trout, nations by virtue of their an- “The opportunity to wear guez said. “(In the previous)
in revenue this year for the Clayton Kershaw, Kris Bry- cestry, and the current U.S. your country across your 10, 15 years, those good
first time, according to or- ant, Madison Bumgarner, team is likable and enter- chest is something, par- athletes, they were either
ganizers. Chris Sale and Bryce Harper taining, from its thrilling fin- ticularly if you haven’t ex- playing baseball or volley-
Although no deal is firmly in were among the American ishes to the bald eagle stat- perienced it before,” Clark ball or basketball, and now
place, Manfred and Clark luminaries who stayed in ue adopted as their cheesy said. soccer. Right now, because
are confident there will be their big-league camps. mascot. While the U.S. works on the we have so many talented
a fifth WBC, most likely in The confetti-strewn cel- “Signing up for this, I didn’t proper formula for success, young players in the big
2021 after baseball makes ebration in Chavez Ravine really know what to ex- other nations are generat- leagues, those very good
its Olympic return in Tokyo should have a few super- pect,” said Christian Yelich, ing enormous benefits from athletes, when they get to
in 2020. stars realizing they missed the Miami Marlins outfield- the WBC. The tournament that age of 15-, 16-year-
“I think when you have out on something great. er from nearby Thousand is the biggest sports news olds, they’re more inclined
“I don’t mean this to sound Oaks, California. “The way story in Japan, the winner to stay in baseball.”q