Lasorda on Olympics and MLB World Cup

Former USA national team (and of course, LA Dodgers) manager Tommy Lasorda,is still disappointed about the USA's failure to qualify for the Olympics. As the Idaho Statesman reported:

Tommy

Lasorda helped provide one of the signature moments of the 2000 Summer Olympics. He led the U.S. baseball team, a band of unknown minor-leaguers, to its first gold medal since baseball became an official Olympic sport.

This year, the Americans won't even be in Greece. Olympic baseball qualifying offers just two spots to "the Americas," which includes baseball-rich countries such as Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. went 3-0 in pool play with three straight shutouts, but lost to Mexico in the single-elimination portion. Here's what Lasorda, who wasn't involved with the qualifying team, had to say about the state of U.S. Olympic baseball:

What was your reaction when you found out the U.S. wouldn't get to defend its gold medal? "It hurt, it hurt a lot ... to believe our country is not in the Olympics in baseball."

A manager had not been selected for the Olympics. Did you have any interest in managing the Olympic team again this summer? "If they wanted me to, sure."

USA Baseball doesn't consider the qualifying system balanced because of the power in the Americas region. What do you think? "I don't know too much about the system. I know I'm really disappointed we're not in it."

What made your Olympic team so successful? "They were a bunch of young guys who had a lot of heart and wanted to do something for their country."

Would you manage again in 2008? "If I could, I would, without a doubt."

Major League Baseball is talking about a World Cup that would involve major-leaguers during the offseason. What do you think of that idea? "I think it's a great idea. It would be great for baseball, no doubt about it."