TEAM USA BASEBALL IS IN NEED OF A FIX!

Team USA didn't compete in the World Baseball Classic to lose.

So why have they lost in 2006, 2009 and likely 2013 (the next WBC and all those that follow will be every 4 years)?

They don't have the best players!

End of story.

The first part of that argument is that pitchers, such as the Blue Jays and Giants aces have decided to remain on the sidelines for their own unpatriotic reasons.

The second thread is that the event is more important to Japan and Korea for starters.

Little did we know that what started out as an off season trip for major leaguers in the 50's to Asia to promote baseball and goodwill would result in these teams embarassing the USA on our soil.

In those halcyon days, Team USA, made up of touring major leaguers, would make the Japanese gasp at their skills. A simple pick off throw to first base would fool the Japanese base runner so badly that the entire Japanese team would laugh with embarassment at their gullibility.

Now, its the Japanese who laugh.

And by way of an editorial comment, they are still laughing at the Koreans as well who foolsihly took their chances pitching to Ichiro last night rather than walk one of the greatest hitters in the game with first base open. Now, that's classic gullibility.

The last part of this thesis is that the American team stinks because it is not Americans who are our best players.

Most of major leaguees best are from other countries and that is why the Classic is such a great event.

But the Americans can win it.

This is what they need to do.

Start with Larry Colangelo.

He knew how to win for Team USA in basketballa and he has successful (Diamondbacks 2001) experience.

Put Colangelo in charge of Team USA and have him secure the same commitments he did from the Olympic basketball champions.

Make the manager a serious winner, like Joe Torre for example and not Davey Johnson, who let a previous commitment make him miss a game. He had 3 years to prepare for a 3 week event and he needed a day off?

Get the best players. Maybe flakes like Manny Ramirez are a waste, but do what it takes to get the American best and begin today.

Derek Jeter was once magical, but we need a shortstop who can make the throw to first base.

Pick this team NOW and secure 4 year commitments.

Let them tour in the winter and spring and play the best in international compeitition.

And come 2013, TEAM USA will be playing for the WBC championship.

It is a simple plan.

But it requires someone with brains to put it in place.

Who is in charge of TEAM USA baseball?

You see.

You and I have no idea.

That's the problem.

I say it's time we fix it.

But should we have seen it coming?