Fox News Flash top sports headlines for March 16
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Former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann was among those upset with Major League Baseball stars getting hurt at the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who signed a lucrative deal to stay with the team in the offseason, suffered a freak injury while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic. Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman was injured while playing for Canada earlier in the week.
Olbermann dismissed the importance of the World Baseball Classic in a tweet.
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Freddie Freeman, #5 of Canada, runs the bases against the United States during a World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 13, 2023 in Phoenix. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)
"First Freddie Freeman, now Edwin Diaz," he tweeted. "The WBC is a meaningless exhibition series designed to: get YOU to buy another uniform, to hell with the real season, and split up teammates based on where their grandmothers got laid.
"Call it off. Now."
Olbermann’s opinion appeared to be in the minority as he faced backlash.
As FOX Sports’ Ben Verlander showed just how meaningful the tournament is to plenty of baseball players, Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebbert signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers after striking out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers on Monday.
Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz, #39, leaves the field on a wheelchair after an apparent leg injury during the team celebration against Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park in Miami March 15, 2023. (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
Furthermore, Czech Republic players were able to compete and interact with Japan’s best baseball stars in the tournament. William Escala, who was hit by a pitch during their game against Japan, received candy from Roki Saskai and an autographed baseball. Sasaki is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
"He gave me some goodies, and a bunch of different candies and stuff like that," Escala said afterward. "And then I asked him if he could sign the ball as a memory for me. Something I will keep. Very cool. Something I’ll cherish and never forget."
Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez, who plays for Venezuela, understood the difficulty of navigating wanting to play in the tournament with the limits he has while getting ready for the season.
"The tournament is extremely important, but it is also an extension to the preparation of a long and intense season," he said. "The decision is understandable. Obviously, in the heat of the moment, you feel you’re in midseason with 120 pitches in the tank, but that is not the case.
TV Personality Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann Panel at the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
"It is a decision based on the parameters of the tournament of which I agree with 100%."
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Last weekend, 47,000 fans packed Chase Field to support Mexico in Phoenix. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ most-attended game was 37,802 people on July 23 against the Washington Nationals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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