What the heck is going on at the World Baseball Classic?

Posted By Joshua Keating Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 5:47 PM Share

I haven't really been paying attention to this year's World Baseball Classic, but my interest was piqued when I saw that the Dominican Republic, which supplies 10 percent of Major League players and which -- despite being A-Rod-less -- sports by far the WBC's scariest roster, was knocked out of competition after being defeated twice by the Netherlands, whose big league stars consist of...um...Sidney Ponson. (He's from Aruba.) I know that playoffs are a crapshoot and weird upsets can happen (Australia beat Mexico too!) but honestly, what's up with the DR?

Another thought: It's a rare event when a wealthy country like the Netherlands beating the tar out the Dominican Republic is covered as a feel-good Cinderella story. What does Parag Khanna think about all of this?

Al Bello/Getty Images

EXPLORE:EUROPE, LATIN AMERICA, SPORTS

(1)

HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE

GLOBALBURGH

7:17 PM ET

March 12, 2009

MLB plays 162 for a reason.

MLB plays 162 for a reason. Of all the professional sports, baseball may be the most susceptible to an upset at the hands of lesser talent. Look at the havoc the wild card has caused.

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.