WBC won't be fair fight for U.S. team

A Reuters story previews the World Baseball Classic as a collision of stars, with a Team USA double-play combo of Derek Jeter and Dustin Pedroia and a Japanese team led by Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

But the latest news hasn't been all good on the star front, as a steady stream of top players - and especially from Team USA - have essentially said, "Thanks for the invite, but I've got some dinner reservations, a tee time at the club, and I can't risk getting an infection in this hangnail."

Here's the running list of the U.S. players who were once considered for the roster, or were on the provisional roster before pulling out: Lance Berkman (shoulder), A.J. Burnett (resting), John Danks (resting), Prince Fielder, Roy Halladay (declined), Cole Hamels (declined), Josh Hamilton (declined), Ryan Howard (declined), Ian Kinsler, John Lackey (declined), Derrek Lee (declined), Brad Lidge (declined), Tim Lincecum (declined), Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer (surgery), Jonathan Papelbon (declined), CC Sabathia (declined), Joe Saunders (declined), Grady Sizemore (injured this week), Mark Teixeira (declined) and Chase Utley (hip injury).

Meanwhile, the USA bullpen has such superstars as Matt Thornton, Matt Lindstrom, J.P. Howell and Brad Ziegler.

When the Americans lose again, there's the excuse. And it's dampening the excitement. The list of players sitting out would probably beat the guys who are playing. It won't be a true world tournament until the best players actually decide to play.

More World Baseball Classic coverage: Schedule, facts, rosters and a recap of 2006 highlights.