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MLB podcaster Jared Carrabis took to Twitter to unload on World Baseball Classic critics after Team Puerto Rico's Edwin Diaz injury instigated a firestorm on the micro-blogging platform.
Edwin Diaz was injured on Wednesday when jubilant Puerto Rican players went to the mound in celebration after their home country won 5-2 to advance to the semifinals. Diaz's patellar tendon in his right knee was completely torn, according to reports. Diaz's injury will be devastating to the New York Mets, who signed him to a five-year, $102 million contract in the offseason.
Following that, MLB fans questioned the significance of the World Baseball Classic and the need for teams to bar their players from competing in the international competition. Podcaster Jared Carrabis, who has a different take on the World Baseball Classic, slammed those who advocate for its abolition.
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"Can’t sleep. Thinking about how awesome the WBC is and how anybody who hates on it is a dumbass." - Jared Carrabis
Apparently, for some MLB players, it is not about money; instead, they compete for the pure joy of representing their nation in the WBC.
2023 World Baseball Classic views
According to Bob Nightengale, an MLB journalist for USA TODAY Sports, the WBC's first round of the tournament drew a record 1 million spectators, which is comparable to Super Bowl ratings.
"The WBC drew record 1 million fans for 1st round of the tournament while Japan’s first round drew 42.3 TV rating, which is similar to Super Bowl ratings." - Bob Nightengale
As per other reports, the WBC game between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico was being seen on 61% of TVs in Puerto Rico!
"61% of the TVs in Puerto Rico were tuned to the World Baseball Classic game between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico!" - Codify
Going by the figures, baseball fans are interested in watching the 2023 WBC before the MLB season gets underway.
