More on the World Baseball Classic - Cuba Shut Out

Following up on Mike's story from earlier this morning regarding the World Baseball Classic, the U.S. Treasury Department has shut out Cuba more effectively than even Roger Clemens could. According to an Associated Press story, the Treasury Department yesterday told Major League Baseball that Cuba would not be allowed to play in the World Baseball Classic, to be held largely in the United States (with Cuba having been scheduled to play early round games in U.S. territory Puerto Rico), due to various commerical embargo-related federal statutes.

Cuba was not viewed by many as a top contender in the March 2006 tournament, largely because defectors such Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras, and Livan Hernandez would not be on the Cuban roster. In a somewhat rare collaborative effort, Major League Baseball and the MLB Player's Association will work together in an attempt to appeal the Treasury Department's decision. Further, this now apparently leaves a hole in the 16-team draw, with Cuba having been slated to play in Pool C with Puerto Rico, Panama, and The Netherlands.

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