Scott Kazmir out of WBC; Rays fans rejoice

by Erik Hahmann on Feb 17, 2009 7:20 PM EST

On Tuesday the Rays nixed Scott Kazmir's hopes of pitching in the World Baseball Classic.

"I'm just disappointed,'' Kazmir said. "I was looking forward to it. I wanted to play for my country. It would have been exciting. At the same time, I'm trying to look at it some positives, that I'll be on the field with my teammates getting ready for the season.''

Andrew Friedman called the invitation "well deserved" and gave reasons for the team's decision:

“We felt like, with the health issues that he had last year coupled with the fact that we played an extra month, the prudent thing to do would be to push him back a little bit in spring as we were doing with some of our other pitchers as well,” Friedman said.

“We felt like the difference between pitching competitively in early March with ‘USA’ on your chest as opposed to sometime in the second week of March in a Grapefruit League game differed greatly in terms of what it takes to get to that point as well as the stress on the arm.”

This is good news to most of us Rays fans who didn't want to see Kazmir in action that early anyway. Sadly, at this point J.P. Howell is still pitching.

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YESSSSSS

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 17, 2009 7:21 PM EST reply actions

This.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

by SRQman on Feb 17, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

yesyesyessyesyesyes

by daveh33 on Feb 17, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions

This in no way guarantees health.

But good grief I’m glad he’ll have some competent management overseeing him and not Team USA.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 17, 2009 7:29 PM EST reply actions

awesome

I wonder if there is any chance we can get JP out of it now.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 17, 2009 7:39 PM EST reply actions

None

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 17, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Shame

but it started with 8 players, now is 2, pretty damn good.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 17, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

I respectfully disagree

I consider myself much more of a fan of the game in general than any one team, and would like to see the international tournament succeed. I understand that puts me in the minority.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 17, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

Having said that, I certainly understand the concern with Kazmir in particular. The bullpen guys much less so because they pitch so few innings in the WBC and even in the one tournament sample showed little to no negative effect from participation. It wouldn’t be a shock if the US doesn’t make it out of the first round anyways. I’ll stop there.

by RATW on Feb 17, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

WBC = lame tourney

Glad to see Rays exposure is limited. Even every few years, it is worthless. Not sure about others, but I find it completely without merit. When I see the logo and the ads, I think Bud Selig. I don’t like thinking Bud Selig thoughts.

by ValricoBrian on Feb 17, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions

It is worthless to United States baseball fans

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 17, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

True

I get the appeal to international baseball fans. Pride of country, beat the USA, beat other countries. I get that for sure. I just don’t like that it messes with teams preparing for the season, especially the pitchers.

by ValricoBrian on Feb 17, 2009 7:59 PM EST up reply actions

We cannot say that with much, if any certainty at this point

We only have a handful of innings upon which to draw any conclusions on what, if any effect it has on pitchers. I understand why people are making the assumptions they are, but these assumptions may very well turn out to be false.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 17, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

Same thing...

…here in Minnesota as it looks like Francisco Liriano is bowing out.

by Twins Territory on Feb 17, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions

I'd rather watch NASCAR

than a WBC game, and besides Dale, i can’t name another driver

by Raymondo on Feb 17, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions

Guess you never went to any of the games

I got to 2 in Anaheim last go around, US vs Mexico and Korea vs Mexico.

And I’m not Mexican.

Both were extremely entertaining games, and the fans were very passionate – especially at the latter (non-US) game. I didn’t much care going in to that one, but the fan enthusiasm was infectious.

The WBC is about developing the game’s international following – something that benefits all MLB teams. Each should give a little to the cause, especially perhaps those that have been supported financially by the revenue growth in the sport.

I understand the health concern with Kaz, but the likely impact on hitters and relief pitchers seems minimal. There’s no other time such an event can be held conveniently or sensibly.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 20, 2009 3:14 AM EST up reply actions