Updated: Jan 30, 2006, 3:54 PM

Vote: Will Cuba be a contender?


	Cuba won gold in the Olympics.

National passion for a sport is familiar to anyone who has talked to Brazilian soccer fans or Canadian hockey fans, but nowhere does passion mix with political ideology quite like Cuba's devotion to baseball.

The pride and joy of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, the national baseball team has long been a dominant force in international competition. But thanks to the restrictions on travel and personal freedoms which apply to all residents of the island nation, it's a team which is just as often shrouded in mystery.

So how will the Cuban team fare against the best of MLB in the first World Baseball Classic? After much debate and controversy, it appears the Cubans will be able to participate in the tournament, but is that a good thing? And how would the team fare if all Cubans were part of the selection process?

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ESPN

Vote: Will Cuba be a contender?

1) Which country do you think is most passionate about baseball?

2) Do you agree with the decision to allow Cuba to participate in games played in the United States?

3) Do you think Cuba has a legitimate chance to win the World Baseball Classic?

4) How much legitimacy would the WBC have lost if Cuba had not been able to participate?

5) How many Cuban regulars do you think could be starters for MLB teams?

6) Which team will win Pool C?

7) Which team is most likely to beat either the United States or the Dominican Republic?

8) If the Cuban team included Cuban-born players who have defected, would you consider it a co-favorite with the United States and Dominican Republic?

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ESPN

Vote: Will Cuba be a contender?

1) Which country do you think is most passionate about baseball?

2) Do you agree with the decision to allow Cuba to participate in games played in the United States?

3) Do you think Cuba has a legitimate chance to win the World Baseball Classic?

4) How much legitimacy would the WBC have lost if Cuba had not been able to participate?

5) How many Cuban regulars do you think could be starters for MLB teams?

6) Which team will win Pool C?

7) Which team is most likely to beat either the United States or the Dominican Republic?

8) If the Cuban team included Cuban-born players who have defected, would you consider it a co-favorite with the United States and Dominican Republic?

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THIS WEEK'S CHATS