No A-Rod this year? Thats probably a mistake for him. It could help his PR problems he is in now... I put money on the U.S. last time. That was a piss poor mistake. I figured they would win on pitching and Home country advantage alone. Little did I know Japan had 2 or 3 MLB star quality pitchers that I didnt even know existed. "The Gyro Ball" come on, what the F is that. I was thinking about laying some money down on Cuba or Korea. They have great talent, but I think the distractions are to much for them to do well in WBC. Korea playing half way around the world in different time zones and Cuba having to worry about there players sneeking out of the hotels in laundry baskets... I wonder if Andrew Jones and Sidney Ponson are both going to play for Holland?