Aram Withdraws from WBC

[E.J.]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2009/02/04/aramis-ramirez-is-out-of-the-wbc/

 

Aramis Ramirez is Out of the WBC

February 4, 2009 by Ace · 4 Comments

Filed under: Chicago Cubs News

 

410w Aramis Ramirez is Out of the WBCJust caught an ESPNdeportes report that Aramis Ramirez has decided to skip the World Baseball Classic after all.

 

The stated reason? Not wanting to risk injury? Respect for his employer?

 

No, no. He doesn’t want to be a back-up. Alex Rodriguez is expected to be the starter for the Dominican Republic team, after switching from the U.S. team.

 

Seems like it's a valid rumor. There's also a thread about it over at prosportsdaily. I'm glad he's dropping out. Let him worry about the regular season.

[wade]

I saw it scroll across Mike and Mike yesterday. I'm with you- save it for the Cubs.

[Brian]

So we're down to Lee, Soto, Fukudome and minor leaguers participating now?

[UMFan83]

So we're down to Lee, Soto, Fukudome and minor leaguers participating now?

 

Marmol and I think Zambrano

[Brian]

oh yeah forgot about Marmol, but I think I remember an article about Z bowing out because he didn't like the way he played after the one in '06.

[shnsajax]

I really hate how you can just switch countries.

[BCVM22]

So we're down to Lee, Soto, Fukudome and minor leaguers participating now?

 

Soriano hasn't said no yet.

[Bixby]

Was Ted Lilly cut from the USA roster?

[BCVM22]

Was Ted Lilly cut from the USA roster?

 

They don't announce actual cuts until the final 28-man rosters are submitted; all you're hearing right now are players who were on provisional rosters but elected not to participate.

[Roast]

So we're down to Lee, Soto, Fukudome and minor leaguers participating now?

 

Marmol and I think Zambrano

I think I remember reading that Z didn't want to risk injury playing in exhibition games?

 

I could be wrong, but I thought he said he wasn't taking part in the WBC

[Andy]

Z withdrew mostly because he didn't like how he played in the early 06 season after pitching in the WBC.

[haubrich91]

The more rest the better.

[biittner77]

The WBC is becoming a real joke in only its second go around with a lot of stars unwilling to play.

 

Rob Dibble of all people had a good idea (even a blind squirrel finds a nut) and that was to have recently retired guys play in this thing. Guys like Piazza and Maddux could probably still compete on this level, wouldn't have to go through the grind of a 6 month season and wouldn't be risking their careers. That would give this thing some star power without having us holding our breath waiting for a needless injury to a player we are counting on for the season.

[CubinNY]

The WBC is becoming a real joke in only its second go around with a lot of stars unwilling to play.

 

Rob Dibble of all people had a good idea (even a blind squirrel finds a nut) and that was to have recently retired guys play in this thing. Guys like Piazza and Maddux could probably still compete on this level, wouldn't have to go through the grind of a 6 month season and wouldn't be risking their careers. That would give this thing some star power without having us holding our breath waiting for a needless injury to a player we are counting on for the season.

Who's going to pay them?

 

I'd rather see a bunch of minor leaguers/college kids and make it like the Olympics or something. They could bill it as the future of the sport. However, Cuba, Korea, or Japan would win every year.

[biittner77]

The WBC is becoming a real joke in only its second go around with a lot of stars unwilling to play.

 

Rob Dibble of all people had a good idea (even a blind squirrel finds a nut) and that was to have recently retired guys play in this thing. Guys like Piazza and Maddux could probably still compete on this level, wouldn't have to go through the grind of a 6 month season and wouldn't be risking their careers. That would give this thing some star power without having us holding our breath waiting for a needless injury to a player we are counting on for the season.

Who's going to pay them?

 

I'd rather see a bunch of minor leaguers/college kids and make it like the Olympics or something. They could bill it as the future of the sport. However, Cuba, Korea, or Japan would win every year.

 

You'd still have a lot of kids/ minor leaguers. The thinking is that they'd play for love of the game/ compete for their country.

 

If the stars don't play, Cuba or Japan will win every year anyway.

[BCVM22]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090217&content_id=3840138&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc

 

Ramirez and Lee both officially out. That leaves Fukudome, Lilly Soto and Marmol as the only potentials.

[Mephistopheles]

Maestri will certainly be on Italy's team again.