Baseball matters. 

People who hate the sport will say otherwise. They’ll say it’s dying. It’s boring. Nobody watches it. Nobody cares.

Watching the World Baseball Classic will tell you everything you need to know about the world’s love for baseball.

Granted, it’s not as ingrained into the soul of every country in the world quite like soccer is. The upcoming World Cup will prove that. Some of the countries represented in the World Baseball Classic are just in name only. 

Italy, for example. The excitement of the Italian team, who was undefeated until last night and was the real underdog story of the tournament. But it was a story here in the U.S. Not one single Italian in Italy knew about it. Not only Italian sports page ran a story on it. But that didn’t take away the passion of the Italian-Americans rooting for their team. The same could be said of other countries that really aren’t baseball fanatics. 

But in those countries (and territories) that are baseball-crazed—Japan, Dominican Republic, Korea, Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico—the World Baseball Classic incited real passion. 

When Team USA defeated Team Dominican Republic on Sunday night, there was true sadness in the Dominican fans in the stands and on the island. Japan felt such shame in losing, their manager resigned.

Which leads to Venezuela. The pure joy from the Venezuela fans watching last night’s game in Miami was real, it was infectious, it was wonderful. 

Venezuela generates a lot of major league baseball talent. Third most, in fact, after the United States and the Dominican Republic. 

They love baseball there. As much as the love baseball in the DR, and Cuba, and Japan. And in spots dotted all over the world.

Tonight, Team USA plays Team Venezuala for the World Baseball Classic championship. 

If anyone wants to see the health of baseball, it will be on full display there in Miami. 

Baseball is alive and well and thriving. 

*****

NO RANGERS GAME TODAY.