(PAUL BUCK/EPA)
The World Baseball Classic gets a bad rap. Whenever it's brought up, inevitable complaining commences.
"Wrong time! No one cares! Why aren't the best players playing?"
I'll admit: The WBC isn't perfect. It's actually far from it. Strange rules (like starting runners on base in extra innings), half-empty parks and the lack of stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw take away from what the event--if done right--could be.
Despite all that, it's fun. The games are competitive, entertaining and the players in the tournament really want to win.