Maybe Not Yet, but the WBC Is Destined to Be a Classic

Washington's all-star closer Chad Cordero, right, talks with catchers Brian Schneider, left, and Matthew LeCroy after a recent Nationals workout. (By Jonathan Newton -- The Washington Post)

If you see Chad Cordero and Brian Schneider in heated conversation, they're probably not talking about the Nats' chances in the National League East this season. Like almost everybody else in spring training camps, they are excited about the World Baseball Classic that starts this Friday in Tokyo and culminates in San Diego on March 20.

"Chad and I can't wait," said Schneider. "The world tournament is all we talk about."

Both Nats will play for the United States on a monstrously talented team on which Cordero will be joined by Billy Wagner, Brad Lidge, Todd Jones, Joe Nathan, Huston Street, Scott Shields and Mike Timlin. And that's just in the bullpen. At third base, there's so much talent that Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez will have to platoon. Roger Clemens may, or may not, play in the major leagues this year. But nothing would keep him from starting for the U.S. in the WBC.

The bragging-rights stakes are so high that anticipation is already building. If Schneider and Cordero are talking strategy, you can bet it's not for a Nats game. Instead, they may be figuring out how to pitch to the Dominican Republic's ridiculous lineup -- Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Vlad Guerrero, Miguel Tejada, Adrian Beltre, Alfonso Soriano and Moises Alou. You could call that a modern Murderer's Row, except that the original Yankees Murderer's Row probably wasn't that good. The Dominicans lost Manny Ramirez recently and nobody noticed.

If the Nats' battery is in hot debate with a teammate, you can be sure that the topic is the WBC. Besides Soriano of the Dominican, Tony Armas Jr. will pitch for powerful Venezuela, which may have the best pitching in the field. Luis Ayala will be in the Mexican bullpen. Jose Vidro and Jose Guillen are down in the dumps because injuries would not let them play for Puerto Rico and the Dominican. Livan Hernandez, a Cuban who can't play for the country from which he defected, has tried (unsuccessfully) to pitch for Puerto Rico.

You probably don't know much about the WBC. But you will soon. Baseball comes at you fast. For once, we have an event that is not primarily a made-for-TV extravaganza. True, every important game will be shown live on ESPN or ESPN2. However, the WBC is largely a natural outgrowth of the improved quality of baseball around the world. At least six of the 16 countries in the field have reached the point where, with a little luck, they can imagine themselves in the WBC finals.

Every great player is keenly aware of what's on tap and almost all get a special excitement from representing his country. Like golf's Ryder Cup, the WBC has a chance to emerge as an event that means more to the players than it does, yet, to the public. When fans find out that athletes are passionate, they generally join the enthusiasm. If that proves true, then the WBC may be the surprise event of '06. Just to hint at the level of interest outside the United States for the 16-country event, there have been more than 3,500 requests for media credentials to the WBC -- more than for the Winter Olympics.

The Nats' clubhouse is a hive of debate about who's the best, which team will be upset and how the U.S. and Dominican teams (the favorites) better watch out or they'll get knocked off by Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico or Japan.

Baseball feared that its best players would turn up their rich noses at the WBC. Instead, many are clearly as passionate about playing for their countries in March as for their MLB teams in April. Some players, such as the Nats' Soriano, are practicing defense these days at positions they'll play in the WBC, not for their own teams. "I understand," said Nationals Manager Frank Robinson, probably looking for a nice concrete wall on which to hit his head.

In other cases, there may even be risks involved. For example, Nats star Cordero has had asthma since childhood. But he doesn't want to take his normal medication for fear it will trip the WBC's Olympic-style drug detection system. Cordero is seeking a medical exemption. In the meantime, without his inhaler, the Chief has had to cut back on conditioning. Since Cordero will never be mistaken for Mr. Universe, that is no small worry to the Nats.

For many fans, it is hard to imagine the pressure on some players to perform for their countries. Vidro has spent days explaining that his knee rehabilitation must take priority over Puerto Rico's pride. Japan is delighted that the often aloof Ichiro Suzuki will play, but is a bit perplexed that the more charismatic Hideki Matsui insists that, until his mission of helping to bring a world title to the Yankees is complete, he will focus on his duties to New York, not his home nation.

Some teams, such as the Orioles, will field depleted squads for much of the spring because so many players -- including Ramon Hernandez, Javy Lopez, Daniel Cabrera, Tejada, Erik Bedard, Luis Matos and Bruce Chen -- will be at the WBC.

At least miffed Melvin Mora may decide to stay home. "I'm a third baseman. I'm not an outfielder any more. I'd just like to have a little respect," Mora said after he learned he might be asked to play center field so that young slugger Miguel Cabrera could enjoy the comforts of third base. "I know the Venezuelan people are going to understand. . . . I am apologizing."

The WBC format may also put some pitchers' arms in harm's way. The event has pitch counts and limits on the number of times a pitcher can be used. But, by the semifinals, when only powerhouse teams will remain, many starters may be asked to throw 75 pitches. Will Pedro Martinez, now battling foot problems, want to tell the pitching-thin Dominican team that he doesn't want to throw the maximum number of pitches if his island nation has the chance to knock off the mighty Americans?

On the surface, the demands of (a maximum of) eight games, played over 13 days in the case of the U.S. team, don't seem too demanding. But will Derek Jeter play a full game at a time when he's usually showering by the fifth inning?

Nobody knows what to expect. And that is part of the fascination. Will stars lose enthusiasm and leave the field after an at-bat or two? By the late innings of "important" games, will the most famous players from each nation still be on the field to decide the outcome? In the first round, will the event's weak teams be an eyesore, even though the eight worst clubs should be gone by next Tuesday? And how will Mike Piazza feel about his Italian teammates, who may range from the sublime to the ridiculous?

Baseball may be awaiting the birth of something important. Or the arrival of a misconceived circus event. Time will tell, of course. But in spring training camps there is already a firm consensus. For many players, the most memorable events of the '06 season may well occur before the first pitch on Opening Day.