The World Baseball Classic is back. Soon enough, the red, white and blue rejections will be too.
The event is a smashing success in Asia and Latin America and an afterthought in the United States, with many of the top U.S. players declining to participate. The last U.S. roster did not include Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw or Andrew McCutchen.
When Mexico opens its WBC qualifier on Thursday in Mexicali, its first baseman will be Adrian Gonzalez. For five days in spring training, the Dodgers' first baseman is not with the Dodgers.
"Mexico is playing," Gonzalez said.