1149
1
February 03, 2006^9:50pm
Jaydawg^7
Nomar backs out of playing for Mexico
www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9207467
World Baseball Classic
SportsLine
1202
1955
0
     Nomar made the right decision, as his primary focus should be to learn how to play first base, which Eddie Murray is already instructing him to do.  I've never liked the idea of someone competing for a country where he/she is neither native-born or a citizen.  South Africa's Zola Budd turned me off of that kind of concept when she competed for the U.K. in the '84 Summer Olympics.  Remember when she deliberately tripped Mary Decker just before crossing the finish line?
     However, I'm beginning to understand why Bud Selig allows players to compete for countries they have heritage in.  It's to gain more worldwide exposure for baseball, which is definitely a good thing.  But, I still haven't heard an explanation as to why the Netherlands chose Dan Haren for their squad when the guy has no Dutch heritage whatsoever.