MLB podcaster insists the World Baseball Classic deserves recognition as tournament's popularity skyrockets amongst international community

The World Baseball Classic offers some of the game's greatest players the chance to represent their countries on the world stage.

The tournament is currently in its fifth edition, with the inaugural event taking place back in 2006. Players have truly enjoyed the opportunity to play high-level baseball alongside their compatriots.

A recent injury to New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz at the tournament shone a light on the club versus country debate. While clubs are the ones paying hefty player salaries, there is a certain honor and pride that comes along with playing for your nation.

MLB podcaster Jared Carrabis was the latest to add his opinion to what has become a heated discussion.

"The World Baseball Classic is just as big, if not bigger, in other countries as the Super Bowl is in the United States. Think about that before you have your little hissy fits about the games not mattering and teams needing to forbid their players from playing. It’s a pretty big f****n’ deal." - Jared Carrabis

Carrabis cited a recent tweet from Codify as evidence of just how popular the tournament is. The tweet stated that 61 percent of televisions in Puerto Rico tuned into the Dominican Republic versus Puerto Rico game.

In another recent tweet from Codify, it was reported that 48 percent of Japanese households tuned in to watch Japan's quarterfinal game versus Italy.

These are impressive numbers considering Japan has a population of approximately 125 million and Puerto Rico has a population of just over 3 million.

The World Baseball Classic has created some issues for MLB clubs that pay hefty player salaries

Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies and manager Dusty Baker Jr. of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park

It is understandable that MLB clubs may be reluctant to ship their top talent to the WBC. The 2023 edition of the tournament was set to take place less than a month prior to Opening Day. Furthermore, clubs are the ones paying out player salaries, not nations.

Players, however, are desperate to be a part of this prestigious competition.

Mike Trout recently called the tournament "the most fun he has had on the baseball field in a while."

"Mike Trout says playing for Team USA is the most fun he’s had on a baseball field in a while" - Talkin' Baseball

Prior to the tournament, Shohei Ohtani stated that it was one of his dreams to win the World Baseball Classic with Team Japan.

Recent figures show the incredible growth and popularity of the World Baseball Classic. WBC must work alongside MLB, the NPB, and other leagues to ensure that star players continue to be involved with the tournament. Otherwise, baseball fans around the globe are all losing out.