American fans should be excited about what they're going to see because it's something never seen before. It's going to be fun. |
And that is a big change in the mind-set. |
Coming to camp on March 1 doesn't bode well for Manny's participation. |
Every player has a right to play or not to play. You only hope the player who says no has a full understanding of the tournament and the consequences of his nonparticipation, especially when it's a player who wouldn't be here and who wouldn't have the new contract he has but for the association. |
I couldn't be more pleased. |
I don't think it was very hard. |
I have not spoken with Manny himself, but I have spoken with people who represent him. Coming to camp on March 1 does not bode well for Manny to be able to play. But Manny is eligible and obviously the Dominican team would love to have Manny play. |
I think Cuba could host games in the next edition, although not the games in the last rounds, but I don't see why it couldn't host the first round games. |
I think the success of this first tournament will be measured by one thing--that's players coming out telling other players they should have played, that it was fun. My guess is that next time we will not have all the same questions we've had this time. |
I think there has been a failure by some people in the press to distinguish between a player who's not playing because he feels he can't and the guy who's not interested in playing in this kind of tournament. The latter kinds of guys are very few in number. |
I won't say we're a long ways away, ... I don't want to say it's not possible. I just can't guarantee it. |
I'm not sure what Alex is doing right now. I think, most likely, what U.S.A. Baseball will do is leave a few spots open for players who are on the fence. |
If someone who is one of the best players on the planet isn't playing in the tournament, then there's something wrong with the tournament. I think it's the right conclusion. |
In my experience with talking to players who have opted out of the tournament, it's not pressure from the club, it's the pressure they themselves feel. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it may not get you a spot on the roster. |
It doesn't make sense. That's my only comment. |