Rob Manfred

And we have tried to develop programs that make it easy.

We have a huge social media program that makes it really easy for players to post highlights and comment on them because we think that drives players.

fandom, and it gives our fans something that our research tells us really important, the ability to see the player beyond what they see on the field.

Well, I would say this.

You know, there is nothing stronger than the –

notion of nationalism and sport when you're trying to grow something internationally.

You know, the WBC, one of the biggest events in Japan, a big part of the growth that we've seen in the... And so when you're trying to grow the game and try to grow the game internationally, it's really, really hard to ignore the power of nationalism and sport, the combination, number one.

Number two, you've got to remember...

These are professional athletes.

There are limitations in the WBC rules that are designed to protect players.

While I can't say we've had no injuries, our injury record in the WBC is actually pretty darn good.

I mean, the DS thing, obviously very unfortunate, got a lot of attention.

It was during a celebration.

And I think that as the event has matured, there's a lot more kind of direct control by the clubs in terms of what's happening, particularly with pitching.

There's conversation back and forth.

for example, with the U.S.

team, between Mark DeRosa and who's ever responsible for pitching on the team where the pitcher's coming from, making sure that what we're doing with them in the WBC is consonant with their plan for getting the pitcher ready.

So we're trying to take every precaution.

But the more positive note and really important... I think it's great.

I love it.