We are now less than a month away from the start of the World Baseball Classic.
The Classic has not been played since 2017.
It was originally set to return in 2021, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
Six years later, the WBC is back in business.
March will be an interesting month, one full of excitement and entertaining baseball to watch.
The experience of the WBC is different for players and executives, but the thrill of the tournament is unmatched.
This morning, former MLB star Mike Lowell and former Colorado Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd discussed what the experience of the WBC is like for both players and executives.
.@mikelowell25 and Dan O'Dowd look at the opportunities that the #WorldBaseballClassic presents from both the player and GM perspectives!#MLBTonight | @Taylor_McGregor pic.twitter.com/23Vf9NKWIR
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 9, 2023
O’Dowd started by saying that as a general manager, it’s exciting to watch your players compete in such a special event.
He did note that with pitchers, there may be a little hesitation from front office executives, but it’s also a great opportunity to assess the depth of your organization and get a look at some young talent while some of the key players are away competing in the WBC.
Lowell then chimed in and talked about how a younger player might feel about the WBC if a veteran on the team is away from camp and competing in the tournament.
Lowell noted that for a younger player trying to rise through the ranks of the organization, there is a sense of urgency to try and take advantage of some extra at-bats that may not be available if a certain player is still in camp.
The WBC presents some unique challenges and opportunities, and March should be an interesting month for baseball.
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