Bobby Valentine wants a US/Japan championship series

[blankman]

I also disagree that a loss would hurt the MLB. It might hurt the pride of the American people a little bit but a loss to the Japan champion would be more publicity worldwide than the MLB could ever hope to pay for. An American loss would inspire international interest. I guarantee that.

International interest? Of course, but none of that publicity is positive publicity. I don't at all see how America losing would make other countries buy MLB stuff or help them in any way.

[Amazinz]

I also disagree that a loss would hurt the MLB. It might hurt the pride of the American people a little bit but a loss to the Japan champion would be more publicity worldwide than the MLB could ever hope to pay for. An American loss would inspire international interest. I guarantee that.

International interest? Of course, but none of that publicity is positive publicity. I don't at all see how America losing would make other countries buy MLB stuff or help them in any way.

I think the cliche 'there's no such thing as bad publicity' applies here. It certainly couldn't hurt.

[blankman]

I also disagree that a loss would hurt the MLB. It might hurt the pride of the American people a little bit but a loss to the Japan champion would be more publicity worldwide than the MLB could ever hope to pay for. An American loss would inspire international interest. I guarantee that.

International interest? Of course, but none of that publicity is positive publicity. I don't at all see how America losing would make other countries buy MLB stuff or help them in any way.

I think the cliche 'there's no such thing as bad publicity' applies here. It certainly couldn't hurt.

I thought about that, and I don't think it does. All it does is devalue MLB as the best of the best.

[Amazinz]

Basketball isn't a perfect comparison because it already had international appeal but the loss at the olympics (an NBA team for the most part) didn't have any negative effect IMO. To what extent it is probably impossible to tell but the NBA's involvement in international basketball seems to have had a great effect. I think showcasing the talent around the world could only be a good thing. Sure one day we'd probably lose and that would suck but it could eventually be offset by having real talent come out of Europe (like in the NBA) and regularly out of Japan. I think that would be pretty cool and worth the risk of any injured egos (mine included).