Gene Orza
Gene Orza
The Major League Baseball Players Associationis the union of professional major-league baseball players...
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The success of the tournament can be measured by one thing and one thing principally. And that is to the degree players come out of it telling their fellow players that it was a lot of fun and they made a mistake by not playing.
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Every player has a right to play or not to play. You only hope the player who says no has a full understanding of the tournament and the consequences of his nonparticipation, especially when it's a player who wouldn't be here and who wouldn't have the new contract he has but for the association.
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We had medical reports in which the doctors suggested the player was ready to play. I'm troubled by it. But you take me back to the moment I said Luis Ayala should be able to play, I have no doubt I made the right decision.
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I think the success of this first tournament will be measured by one thing--that's players coming out telling other players they should have played, that it was fun. My guess is that next time we will not have all the same questions we've had this time.
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Let's assume steroids are very bad to take, but I have no doubt that they are not worse than cigarettes, ... I would never say that to the clubs as an individual who represents the interests of players, 'Gee, I guess by not allowing baseball to suspend and fine players for smoking cigarettes, I am not protecting their health.'
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There are a lot of other great players in the tournament of course in addition to Manny, which is one of the reasons Manny would probably want to play, with the talent at that level. But I haven't spoken with Manny himself, and, in fact, I think I spoke to one of his representatives as late as yesterday and he hasn't ruled out playing. What he decides is really ultimately going to be up to him though.
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I think there has been a failure by some people in the press to distinguish between a player who's not playing because he feels he can't and the guy who's not interested in playing in this kind of tournament. The latter kinds of guys are very few in number.
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If someone who is one of the best players on the planet isn't playing in the tournament, then there's something wrong with the tournament. I think it's the right conclusion.
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In my experience with talking to players who have opted out of the tournament, it's not pressure from the club, it's the pressure they themselves feel. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it may not get you a spot on the roster.
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We are very disappointed with the government's decision to deny the participation of a team from Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. We will continue to work within appropriate channels in an attempt to address the government's concerns and will not announce a replacement unless and until that effort fails.
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We've long known we have our work cut out for us in Europe, but this tournament represents a decent positive stride in Europe, in addition to the enormous success it has been elsewhere.
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I won't say we're a long ways away, ... I don't want to say it's not possible. I just can't guarantee it.
It doesn't make sense. That's my only comment.
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My understanding is that Pedro, very frankly, is doubtful.