World Champions

Japan flag
Originally uploaded by dangunderman.

Japan defeated Cuba 10-6 in the World Baseball Classic finals. Japan had two players on their roster who play in the United States' MLB. Cuba, obviously, had none, although at Havana's "Hot Corner," it is argued vigorously that the Cuban team would dominate if Contreras hadn't defected. And to the Yankees at that (although it was with the White Sox he won his ring).

So if Major League Baseball can no longer claim to have the best players on the best teams in the world, can they continue to call their championship "The World Series"?

God knows the U.S. is well-known (and respected!) for its enormous arrogance. But the World Series is more than 100 years old now, and as a creature of habit and a fan of baseball in all its glorious history (segregation anyone?), I'd hate to see them change the name. Maybe they can rationalize it more and more as players from around the world populate the Major Leagues.

Yeah, that's it. You can keep your World Baseball Classic. The United States is still home to The World Series, suckas.