So he loves America more than Josh Hamilton, correct?

So he loves America more than Josh Hamilton, correct?

A-Rod's a doosh!

I didn't realize the midgets were fielding a team.

I want to see a Pedroia-Utley platoon.

DKDC, midgets aren't really associated with a certain nation or region, so your joke is imperfect. Now, the pygmies, they could field a team...

Now, the pygmies, they could field a team...

Or the Ferengi.

So what's the expected American team something like, trying to take out FA's/surgery guys.

C: Mauer
1B: Howard, Berkman
2B: Pedroia
3B: Wright? Chipper? Longoria?
SS: Jeter
OF: I guess it looks like Granderson, Upton, Sizemore, Braun/Holliday
SP: Webb, Lincecum?, Lee?, Hamels, Halladay
RP: Papelbon, Nathan, Lidge, maybe a Ryan type for a lefty.

Has there been any name dropouts? I'm sure a lot of pitchers won't go.

Rollins is also a candidate for SS

And Portugal gets screwed.

SP: Webb, Lincecum?, Lee?, Hamels, Halladay

Halladay has already said he's not playing in the WBC.

So he loves America more than Josh Hamilton, correct?

I've heard he doesn't really love Josh Hamilton, it's just a physical thing.

Both pygmie and midget are considered derogatory terms, particularly the latter. It's really odd to see them used among educated people.

And Portugal gets screwed.

Mark Portugal really got screwed by there not being a WBC in 1994.

Pygmies are a group of African tribes.

The term "Pygmy" is often considered degrading. However, there is no single term to replace it that covers all African Pygmies.[5] Many so called pygmies prefer instead to be referred to by the name of their various ethnic groups, or names for various interrelated groups such as the Aka (Mbenga), Baka, Mbuti, and Twa.

Anthropologists use the word "pygmy" to describe the overall category of these ethnic groups. The tribes themselves are so subjugated by the larger ethnic groups in their countries that it's hard to be concerned with nomenclature, though I guess we should use more respectful words, like "Roma" instead of "gypsies", to signify that they are a real people and not just a stereotype.

As for the other word, I always forget which word is supposed to be offensive, "midget" or "dwarf". They both sound pretty demeaning to me, and I don't actually know any little people (that sounds even more demeaning, in fact), so it's easy to be unaware.

It's really odd to see them used among educated people.

I have yet to hear a euphemism that I can get behind on this one. "Little person" could refer to people of normal, but short, stature. When talking about the ones that have a genetic abnormality and special needs, I don't think that's specific enough.

I know a couple of "little people". Interestingly, they can't stand each other. I guess the fact that this is interesting to me brands me as one who "thinks they're all the same". But as I explore my thoughts, I realize that they'll have similarities with dealing with the world that others don't share.

I agree that it doesn't seem particular enough, and that it sounds even more demeaning, but it is the preferred term among the short-statured community. Or so I hear.

3B: Wright? Chipper? Longoria?

Wright and Longoria at 3B. Chipper will DH.

Jeter doesn't really belong on the team. Hardy, Rollins, and Drew are better players.

I have yet to hear a euphemism that I can get behind on this one. When talking about the ones that have a genetic abnormality and special needs, I don't think that's specific enough.

What does your preference have to do with it? Furthermore, why must a label of this kind convey all the specific information that you cite? Many labels of this kind don't tell us much about someone's genetics or any special needs that they might have.

Anthropologists use the word "pygmy" to describe the overall category of these ethnic groups.

Some do, but others, as indicated in your quote (from where?), likely do not use the term because it is often considered degrading.

I've heard this too, Teddy. I don't want to label another group badly, but I have specific objections to their preference.

I've been in that spot where I say, "Have you seen Gus? You know, the little person. No, like this:"

*approximates his height with hand motions*

And I don't like it. My wife is 5'. She's a little person. She doesn't share the needs or the general features that people associate with "midgets" in any way.

I get that it's important to have the word "person" in there, to prevent offhanded verbal objectification. But I don't think the current solution works.

I would just say "extremely short". Who needs to indicate bone deformities or whatever? Maybe doctors.

Jeter doesn't really belong on the team

Apparently, Jeter is in because of his mythical intangibles (HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS WITH HIS LEADERSHIP! HEAL THE SICK WITH HIS CLUBHOUSE PRESENCE!) and because he is the best salesman to other players as possible.

What does your preference have to do with it?

It's their preference to be called something, and it's my preference not to call them that. I'll bend towards courtesy when possible, but this is an area that I'm not comfortable bending.

I don't feel right about it, and I'm careful not to use a word that might be hurtful when possible. But if you're posting #3, I don't think "little person" gets 'er done the same way.

Furthermore, why must a label of this kind convey all the specific information that you cite?

At my job, certain physical layouts needed to be modified for access of all potential employees. When discussing specific modifications to specific equipment, discussing the special needs of some people became necessary.

On occasion, you need to differentiate between the blind and the deaf.

Your wife needn't be termed a little person, though, especially when we know that that term already has another specific meaning. It's similar to how we don't called white people from South Africa African Americans because, although that term is a perfectly accurate way to describe them, it has another meaning entirely.


Edit: Didn't see 22 when posting. To respond, at your job, you could just ask people what physical accommodations are needed. Then you don't have to worry about labels. In fact, I believe that's how the disability laws say you're supposed to do it, but I'm no expert in that field.

Apparently, Jeter is in because of his mythical intangibles ... and because he is the best salesman to other players as possible.

no, it's because Jeter talks to all the pretty girls and they'll totally come to the WBC if they know he'll be there, duh!

at your job, you could just ask people what physical accommodations are needed.

We're in the reeds of details here. But I just wanted to point out that we did redesigns for all people and all accommodations, so we wouldn't have to redesign again later. Some groups of people (and again, I'm discussing potential hires; on occasion we don't have one of that group on hand to ask) had very specific needs.

As a for instance, I know a guy who is an epileptic. When there are strobe lights, he reacts badly to them. So my task force was asked to go around and make sure that none of the equipment flashed at the rate which causes problems to people with this condition. I can't imagine what verbal hurdles would have been necessary if someone had told me not to use "epileptic" or "epilepsy".

BTW, here's my current projected roster (based on reports, analysis by Tom Verducci and others, and MLB's projections):

Team USA

Manager: Davey Johnson$ (USA)

Pitching Coach: Marcel Lachemann (USA)- Was Olympic Pitching Coach, don't see why he wouldn't be WBC pitching coach

Hitting Coach: Reggie Smith (USA)-Same as Marcel

Catchers: Joe Mauer (MIN), Brian McCann (ATL)

1B: Lance Berkman (HOU), Kevin Youkilis? (BOS)

2B: Dustin Pedroia$ (BOS)

SS: Derek Jeter$ (NYY), Michael Young* (TEX)

3B: David Wright (NYM), Evan Longoria (TB), Chipper Jones^ (ATL)

OF: Curtis Granderson (DET), B.J. Upton(TB), Grady Sizemore(CLE), Ryan Braun (MIL) or Matt Holliday? (OAK)

SP: Brandon Webb (ARI), Cliff Lee (CLE), Jon Lester (BOS), Cole Hamels? (PHI), John Danks! (CHW)

Relief: Brad Lidge (PHI), Jon Papelbon (BOS), Joe Nathan (MIN), B.J. Ryan? (TOR), Bobby Jenks (CHW), Scot Shields (LAA), Joey Devine (OAK), Mike Gonzalez (ATL)


*Young would likely split time between short and second
^Chipper is expected to be DH
? Potential Issue as to whether he'd play (team, personal, injury, logistics, etc.)-This means basically that questions have specifically been raised as to whether this player would participate, this DOESN'T mean that players who do not have "?" have already accepted invites.
!Surprised
$Officially Confirmed by MLB or equivalent sources as coming

SP: Webb, Lincecum?, Lee?, Hamels, Halladay

leave Cole Hamels alone ... he's had a long year ... lead the league in IP and then 5 quality starts in the post season ... it's vacation time ... he's earned it ... and Chase is better than Pedroia, he just has a bum hip

Jeter doesn't really belong on the team. Hardy, Rollins, and Drew are better players.

No way ... are you kidding?!?

Granderson, Upton

Doesn't say a whole lot for American baseball, does it? Why not throw the Flying Hawaiian in there?

leave Cole Hamels alone ... he's had a long year ... lead the league in IP and then 5 quality starts in the post season ... it's vacation time ... he's earned it

That's why there is a "?"

I mentioned in another thread that I didn't think Upton would play because of his shoulder but I forgot about this article from a few days ago. If Verducci's information is correct then Upton will be ineligible since he had labrum surgery after the World Series.

Players who spent 90 days on the DL last season or underwent a surgical procedure this offseason are ineligible. Players who spent 45 days on the DL require clearance from their club.

Players who spent 90 days on the DL last season or underwent a surgical procedure this offseason are ineligible. Players who spent 45 days on the DL require clearance from their club.

This is ironic, since in that SAME ARTICLE Verducci lists Upton as being a guy who's name is seriously being considered. Whoops.

On a slightly conroversial note, I am surprised by the number of rumoured pullouts. Maybe my background is different, but how can you say no to representing your country? These players are multi-millionaires already. And even if not, how many times do you get to represent your country?
Not to go all Fox on you guys/scattered gals, but it just seems a bit weird. Heck, I was so pumped up just representing my school or city!

On a slightly conroversial note, I am surprised by the number of rumoured pullouts. Maybe my background is different, but how can you say no to representing your country? These players are multi-millionaires already. And even if not, how many times do you get to represent your country?
Not to go all Fox on you guys/scattered gals, but it just seems a bit weird. Heck, I was so pumped up just representing my school or city!

Pullouts can be defined in categories: Creatures-of-Habit (players who would utterly collapse without spring training- Josh Hamilton), injured/tired players, players-on-new-teams (although this isn't QUITE as much a problem with position players), players on the New York Yankees (Jeter and A-Rod excepted) and finally, jag-offs (Gary "The Season is when I get Paid" Sheffield).