U.S. should quit meddling in the world baseball classic

Major League Baseball wants Cuba's national team in the 16-team World Baseball Classic next March.

The U.S. Dept. of Treasury, for whatever stupid reason, does not.

The ante has been raised. Puerto Rico, showing uncommonly good sense and timing, has vowed to pull out as a host country unless Cuba is allowed in. This isn't because they like Castro or his brain-dead and incentive-deprived socialist paradise. It's because they love baseball and they know that, even after 65-plus years of communist idiocy and tyranny, the people of Cuba still know how to play ball.

Oh, yes. They can play ball, Ray!

And that's why Cuba should be in this upcoming world showcase. It's baseball, for crying out loud. C'mon, Bush Administration. Take a cue from Richard Nixon, among whose successes was ping-pong diplomacy with China. The more Cuban players see of the rest of the world (especially if we treat them with the respect due all baseball players) the more they will tell the good folks back home and the more pressure on Castro.

Not to mention the fact that we've seen several good players from Cuba come into the major leagues through defections. Might as well make it convenient for 'em. We could use a few more good arms.

For another view on the Cuban crisis, HERE.