World Baseball Classic

Okay, I'm gettin' kinda stoked about the WBC:

Team USA is loaded in the infield -- with Derrek Lee at first base, Young at second, Derek Jeter at shortstop and Rodriguez at third -- and extremely deep in the bullpen. On any given night, Brad Lidge, Huston Street, Joe Nathan or Chad Cordero could be called on to close.

Because of injuries and defections, Team USA doesn't have much depth in the starting rotation. Jake Peavy will start the opener against Mexico on Tuesday, and Martinez will load up on left-handers against Canada's predominantly lefty-hitting lineup in Game 2 on Wednesday. Willis will start and be followed by Al Leiter, with Colorado's Brian Fuentes also expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Roger Clemens will work two innings in an exhibition against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in Scottsdale, then start Friday against South Africa in what looks like a world-caliber mismatch.

Nutshell for you MORs: the Dominican team has, well, a fucking awesome line-up; and I mean one that may dwarf the 30s American League All-Star teams -- you know, Ruth? Gehrig? Jimmie Foxx? Hank Greenberg? Or maybe I'm just a heretic. Meanwhile, Venezuela has the the pitching w/superstud Johan Santana as the marquis feature.

Caught a little of the China/Korea match-up last night. Uhm, don't think so! Although China makes the Red & Gold combo work. That and they have Bruce Hurst as pitching coach; he who would have been the '86 Series MVP were it not for Bob Stanley and a certain Bucknerian brain fart. Meanwhile, looks like Japan exposed Taiwan -- uhh, 'scuse me: Chinese Taipei -- as overgrown little leaguers. Then again, we already knew their little leaguers were overgrown.

Clearly the Asian battle is all Japan & Korea, leaving China & Taipei wondering if they'll ever be ready for rookie ball.

Projected WBC Champs: Venezuela or the Dominican Republic.

USA? Not!

The World Baseball Classic could be big in the coming decades.