It's just a game...or is it?

As a baseball fan, I'm excited about the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) that will debut in March. However, the recent news articles I have been reading have put a dark cloud over this event and I can remain silent no longer. It has been reported that the U.S. Department of Treasury has denied Cuba the opportunity to participate in this sporting event (source). I understand that the U.S. has embargos against the island nation and that the participating teams would be making some money through participation and this goes against the embargos. What I don't understand is the difference between the Cuban team participating and the participation of Cuban players on MLB teams who send much of their earnings back to their families in Cuba. Am I wrong in assuming that there isn't a difference. Moreover, it's just a game (or tournament). Isn't it?

A related story caught my attention stating that Alex Rodriguez (the A.L. MVP) won't be participating in the WBC. He doesn't want to shame his birth country (USA) or his Dominican heritage (where his parents live) by having to choose. I say this to ARod, "Buck up, man. It's a game for which you should want to increase world-wide awareness. Pick a team. I doubt either country will care which team you play for as long as you are playing." In the same article (source) it says that the N.Y. Yankees organization has petitioned to keep players from playing in the WBC. What!!!???? Is Steinbrenner just made that he didn't come up with the WBC idea and that he isn't going to make money from it. I HATE THE YANKEES. Once again, isn't this just a game? Sure, a game that will raise awareness of "America's Pastime." Isn't baseball supposed to a game of equality, " a perfect metaphor for hope in a democratic society..."* Each player has an opportunity to face a pitcher with a clean slate and the same number of chances to hit a ball into play. Shouldn't we, the United States, as a nation use "our" game to promote democracy?

In summary, let the Cubans have a team. Aren't there more important issues on which to have disagreements? Aren't there other issues out there that need to be solved (terrorism, governmental spying, storm relief, democracy in other parts of the world such as China, world hunger, peace, and the list goes on)?

*From Mars Marzac's monologue in Take Me Out.