The gap widens.

"Rodriguez received a passing grade for the pitching portion of this mid-March tryout. He ramped up his fastball to 94 mph while striking out Kevin Youkilis for the final out and saving Venezuela’s 5-3 win over Team USA, which appeared only intermittently interested in the outcome, with both teams already having claimed a spot in the second round of the World Baseball Classic in Miami."

Yeah, I don't know what to make of all the WBC analysis. If I was a baseball writer, I think I'd find it more interesting than Spring Training. Some of the countries are totally into it. Nobody I know pays any attention to it.

I think a Mets fan would have passing interest in Rodriguez's performance. But it's something to care about.


"Less impressive was his postgame performance. In a setting that is all about growing the game’s popularity globally, which presumably means the players understand their roles as ambassadors, Rodriguez told the Venezuelan media representative that he would not speak to reporters, the same posture he has maintained since Venezuela began playing exhibitions in Florida last week. English-language media, media from his own country, Japanese media – K-Rod was determined to pitch a shutout.

What should have been a feel-good story about Venezuela and K-Rod slowly was taking on a different cast – that the Mets had traded not only for a Putz (J.J.) this winter but also a putz."

So you're calling a grown man a putz because he doesn't want to talk to you and give you a "feel-good" story.

Yet, you still wrote a story about him, though a somewhat pointless story ... about how a baseball player didn't want to speak to you.

The Mets only want a pitcher who pitches well, as do their fans. The players are not hired for their eloquence. Maybe Rodriguez is just taciturn.

Another writer who simply doesn't see the game the way a fan sees the game.

I'm also wondering what Rodriguez's postgame interview is going to say to help grow the game globally. Boring answers to stupid questions is going to help grow the game in Japan? Really? Is that how it works?