World Baseball Classic Chat with Matt Meyers

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Moderator: Matt Meyers chats live from the WBC in Orlando at 4 p.m. ET.

Q:	Bobby Digital from Staten Island asks: With so much negative press surrounding this event, describe the atmosphere in Orlando. It was clear that the fans at the game were into this series on TV, but once you get outside the park, is there a buzz, or is it just another spring training exhibition?
A:	Matt Meyers: Hey everyone, thanks for joining me for this World Baseball Classic chat. I am sitting in the press section in right field watching Venezuela take batting practice as they prepare for Italy. Matt Meyers: Had to take this one from my boy Bobby Digital. As Method Man once said, "Can't forget Bobby, if I did I'd feel gypped, Like my sandwich ain't a sandwich without Miracle Whip." Matt Meyers: To answer your question, there is a lot of atmosphere throughout the Disney complex which has done a good job of promoting awareness for the event. Walking up to the ballpark does have an exciting feel that certainly exceeds your typical spring training. Lots of vendors, lots of WBC garb and lots of meddia. However, when you drive around Orlando it does not feel as though the local community is really fired up about it. But then again, it is hard to compete with Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios. I mean, have you ever been on Back to the Future, the Ride?

Q:	Mick from Chicago asks: Will Australia ever produce talent on a regular basis? The number of players signing in MLB seems to have shrunk significantly in recent years?
A:	Matt Meyers: Mick, it is hard to tell at this point. The Aussies were extremely disappointed after last night's debacle. They all truly believed they could win, so to lose like that was a major hit for them. At the same time, it is just one game and should not be seen as evidence they won't produce big leaguers. Glenn Williams could finally be on the verge of making it to the big leagues full time and Justin Huber should be there soon. The Twins, who are excellent judges of amateur talent, seem to think there is talent there, so I will trust their judgement and give some of the younger guys like Mildren and Oeltjen time to develop.

Q:	Fidel Castro from Havana asks: Could my team truly be overrated? At this rate, the U.S. will never see the best team in the world! Are you surprised we didn't show up against Panama today?
A:	Matt Meyers: From what I see, the Cubans have rallied to tie the game at 4 so they have shown up, even if it was late. I will wait until the tourney is over to evaluate Cuba. They are in a tough group and Panama has been competitive with Cuba at recent international events, and now they also have the likes of Carlos Lee, Bruce Chen and some other big leaguers. To me, Cuba not making it out of group play does not mean they are overrated as long as they compete. If they get blown out, I might reconsider.

Q:	J.P. Whatley from Spray, Oregon asks: So what's your take on the controversial no-homer by Venezeula yesterday? Was it the right call, or should it have been ruled a home run?
A:	Matt Meyers: JP, from my seat in right it looked like the right call. The bottom line is that it simply did not go over the fence. However, part of me wishes it was ruled a home run just to make the game even more exciting. In some MLB parks they have yellow lines at the top of the wall and if it hits the yellow line it is a home run. There is no yellow line here, so no homer. But if there were a yellow line here, it would have been one. Good job by the umps conferring and getting it right.

Q:	pete from nyc asks: Did Canada really need a 9th inning rally to be South Africa?
A:	Matt Meyers: Yes, they did. That was shocking and combined with Italy giving Team USA a run for their money, the teams that were initially given no chance should now have some hope. Hopefully, it will give Italy some confidence tonight because a victory for them would really blow this tourney open and give March its first huge upset.

Q:	Todd from Boston asks: It sounds like a lot of the non-participating players said they'd be a lot more willing to do it if the WBC took place during a 2-week hiatus around the All-Star break. Do you think Bud Selig will consider this for the next tourney?
A:	Matt Meyers: Todd, I can't read Selig's mind (though that would be cool) but If this year's WBC makes money, I think it will remain the same the next time they do it. If it loses money, we will either never see it again, or they will consider changing the timing of it. I think a midseason break for the WBC would be amazing, but if it meant fewer MLB games that season, forget about it. The owners don't want to lose home dates. As Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg taught us, it's all about the Hamiltons baby.

Q:	Caitlin from Schenectady, New York asks: Hey, Matt! Of all the players on Cuba's team who is the best in your opinion and how many of their players would you like to see defect and play ball in the United States?
A:	Matt Meyers: I was going to say Yulieski Gourriel even before he just homered to give Cuba a 6-4 lead, so I think that seals it. That kid can play though because of his family, it is apparently unlikely that the 21-year-old will defect. I would love to see more of their players defect, but I would never want them to do it unless they were sure they wanted to. The separation from their familiesfriends must be horrible. Other guys I would want to see face big leaguers (and will this week) are Eduardo Paret, Pedro Luis Lazo and Yunieski Maya.

Q:	Kyle Tarr from Springfield, IL asks: Are Al Leiter, Matt Holliday, Dan Wheeler, Todd Jones, and Gary Majewski really the best America has to offer?
A:	Matt Meyers: No, they aren't. Though if you want a deep relief staff Wheeler should be in the discussion. That being said, it doesn't really matter to me. I would rather watch guys who want to be there over better players who are indifferent. What makes international competition so exciting is that the players are there for pride, not money. Chad Cordero stopped taking his asthma medication before spring training because it is a substance banned by the WBC and if he kept taking it, he would have failed a WBC drug test. That is the kind of attitude I like to see.

Q:	Grady Sizemore from Winter Haven, Fla. asks: Any idea why Team USA passed me over on this year's WBC USA roster?
A:	Matt Meyers: Not really, but it looks like they deferred to veterans when possible so at least they were consistent. As a result, centerfielders like Damon, Griffey and Wells go the nod first. If there is another WBC in four years, I would be surprised if Sizemore is not the center fielder for Team USA.

Q:	Kyle Tarr from Springfield, IL asks: How would you handicap Italy's chances of advancing into the 2nd round?
A:	Matt Meyers: It will be a tall order, but I think it comes down to tonight's game. A win tonight and Venezuela cannot advance which would all but clinch it for Italy. Thanks to great pitching last night, they only had to use one reliver so they have almost their entire staff. Matt Meyers: More than anything, they need to execute in the field and not give Venezuela extra outs or extra bases. They have some big league caliber hitters and they will need a contribution from them. Does Piazza have some magic left in his bat? We will see tonight, but after seeing South Africa compete with Canada, I am more convinced then ever that Italy can pull off the upset tonight. Matt Meyers: For me, the Italian team is a great story because even though most of them are not Italian-born, they all have a great deal of Italian pride. Playing in this event gives them a chance to show that pride and they are eager to do so. In last night's press conference, Piazza spoke poignantly about his grandfather, a welder from Sicily and how honored he was to represent Italy because of him. The attitude of the Italian team seems to be, "nationality goes beyond a passport."

Q:	Elena from Boston asks: Is there anyone cheering for the Cubans? I would have to imagine there can't be many defectors who would cheer for them right?
A:	Matt Meyers: I don't think defectors are cheering for them, but I think a lot of baseball fans want to see them advance because they would love to see them play against the Dominican Republic and possibly the United States. Team USA vs. Cuba would be the greatest international match since Rocky vs. Drago. Though in this case I think the communists would be the underdogs.

Q:	lee from houston asks: don't you think the U.S. could work something out with Cuba like how Yao Ming got permission to play in the U.S.? Obviously there's an embargo, but as long as Cuba doesn't profit I don't see a conflict. In fact a player like Gurriel would put Cuba on the map no?
A:	Matt Meyers: Putting the embargo aside, I think it is a different situation than Yao Ming because Cuba has such pride in baseball. Castro would not want to endorse one of his prize players coming to help American baseball teams make money. The United States has not had a problem with players defecting (see Hernandez, Livan and Contreras, Jose), it is really all on Cuba.

Q:	Sean from Brea, CA asks: How would you handicap these countries if they played a full season? It would seem the depth of Team USA, especially on the mound, would give them a big advantage.
A:	Matt Meyers: I think your analysis is dead on, particularly if every country had all of their best players, particularly pitchers. From starters to relievers, the United States is far deeper than any of the other countries. But in a short tournament, who knows?

Q:	R Nitelight from NJ asks: So how many of these Cubans will Omar be bringing back to New York with him?
A:	Matt Meyers: 9? Matt Meyers: I saw Omar on Quite Franklin with good old Stephen A. Smith when asked about Cuba, he said that the Mets will be heavily scouting them. But I think most teams will be doing so as well. There is talent there, so teams will always be on the lookout. That being said, if there is a bidding war for a Cuban player, it would not surprise me if the Mets got involved. Then again, their first dive into the Cuban market got them Rey Ordonez, and I don't think Mets remember him too fondly. They now have Cuban prospect Alay Soler, and I know the righthander got lit up the other day. So far, the Mets and Cuba have not mixed well.

Q:	Todd from The O.C. asks: Were you surprised that more teams didn't follow Cuba's lead and offer their profits to help victims of hurricane Katrina? It seems like this could have been a great way to raise more money for the cause.
A:	Matt Meyers: Todd, it does not surprise me, but Cuba is in a different boat then the other participants. They are not interested in profits, and donating the money to Katrina victims was both generous and a savvy political move. Matt Meyers: Alright folks, that is all I have time for this evening. Thanks for joining me and I hope you are all enjoying the Classic as much as I am. Tonight's game should be a doozy. I wanted to end the chat on a Kirby Puckett note because I know he is in the thoughts of all baseball fans and is still beloved despite some alleged indiscretions after his playing days. Matt Meyers: Everyone talks about how much Minnesota fans adored Kirby and it is true. My favorite example is from my college roommate who is from the Twin Cities. Two summers ago (years after Kirby's career ended), he was on a softball team with a bunch of buddies and they got t-shirts made up with the team name on the front and on the back they all wore the same number, 34.