Bob Klapisch: Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred should thank Team USA

You don’t need much forensic evidence to know the World Baseball Classic finally had its breakthrough moment – it’s here to stay.

There was talk of the tournament dying a slow, painful death, buried with no hope of being restored in 2021. But not after a week of must-see games and the emergence of Team USA as champions. Rob Manfred says he wants the WBC to grow the sport, but let’s not be naive: Having the Americans run the table was the outcome the commissioner was hoping for.

Manfred now has public-relations leverage over the stars who boycotted the tournament. As a result, just watch, Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw will become converts, and you can add Bryce Harper’s name too, now that Mike Trout has already volunteered for the 2021 edition.

There was plenty to like about this year’s tournament – as well as a few glaring flaws that need to be addressed. That is, if the WBC is to be regarded as baseball’s version of the World Cup and not a glorified spring training exhibition series.

In brief: We love the patriotism all the way around. Hate the 11th-inning shootout rules. Hate the late starting times on East Coast. Not crazy about playing the tournament in March.

Here are some final thoughts on a memorable ride:

Marcus Stroman is a beast: Blue Jays manager John Gibbons once told me, “Marcus is one of the toughest little (expletives) I’ve ever known.” No one would argue, following Stroman’s masterpiece in the 8-0 rout of Puerto Rico Wednesday night, including taking a no-hitter into the seventh.

This was the same undefeated Puerto Rican squad that had scored 55 runs in seven games and had ambushed Stroman himself in a second-round game. The right-hander allowed four runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, and was theoretically at a disadvantage in the championship game.

Stroman was also facing a second layer of pressure from Puerto Rican fans, who demonized him for deciding to play for the U.S. despite the fact his mother was born on the island. Stroman could’ve picked either team; both he and his mother were targeted on social media because of his choice. But that made no difference in the outcome. Yankees fans should remember that if there’s a pennant race going in September and the Jays are in town. Stroman has no fear.

There’s a difference between celebrating and gloating: Much was made during the WBC about the cultural divide between those who celebrate loudly and openly and those who keep it to themselves. It’s a cultural issue, not racial, and I happen to see the merits in both philosophies.

To those who like the open-air partying: I get it. Baseball is entertainment, it’s supposed to be fun to watch and play. It’s meant to be enjoyed by all parties. When commentators noted the WBC’s early-round games in Miami felt like a soccer tournament, it means the game is expanding, it’s succeeding. Hardliners have to accept the changing demographic.

But I also understand the “act like you’ve been there before and expect to again” credo. There’s something to be said for being as cool as a 1940s-era jazz musician. It doesn’t make the other response wrong, just different. The code of conduct should be broad enough to allow for both.

The breach occurs only when one player mocks another – and no, a bat-flip doesn’t qualify. It’s what a pitcher and batter say to each other, after an up-and-in fastball, for instance, or after a home run, that’ll scan start a war. Everything else is just harmless theater.

Why was Jeurys Familia allowed to play? The company line from the commissioner’s office is that the investigation of the Mets closer’s domestic violence incident was in the wrapping up stages during the WBC. Manfred should be ready to hand down a verdict – most likely a 30-day suspension – sometime this week.

The commissioner handled this unfortunate incident with little distinction. The incident at Familia’s home in Fort Lee took place almost five months ago; there are no moving parts that haven’t already been scrutinized. Manfred could’ve made a ruling in February instead of waiting until almost April.

It’s hard to believe the commissioner delayed for any other reason than to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s team and thereby raise the tournament’s profile to the greatest degree possible. Manfred can’t have it both ways. Either Familia is a star who merited a spot in this prestigious tournament or else he was responsible for an act of violence against his wife and needs to be punished. It’s one or the other.

That fact that Manfred waited this long to decide reflects poorly on his responsibility as the game’s chief disciplinarian, not to mention on the WBC itself.

What about those starting times? Again, if Manfred wants to take the WBC to the next level in 2021, he’ll have to be more accommodating to the east coast viewing audience, much of which was already asleep when Adam Jones robbed Manny Machado of a home run in the 6-3 win over the Dominican Republic Saturday night.

Actually, it was already Sunday morning. That’s the surcharge for a 10 p.m. starting time back east. And pushing the semifinals and championship games up one hour was hardly the answer, either. All that did was inconvenience fans who wanted to get to Dodger Stadium in time for the first pitch. That’s 6 p.m. in southern California rush hour. Good luck.

How about moving WBC to July? There are plenty of reasons to make this a midsummer affair, rather than forcing participants into a hurry-up, get-in-shape mode in during spring training. The best solution came from Joe Girardi, who said in a recent interview with the New York Times the first two rounds should be played in late March, and then wait until All-Star week to play the semifinal and championships games.

Upon conclusion of the WBC, the All-Star Game could be played in the latter part of the week. Everyone involved will be at peak conditioning, and those who aren’t selected for either affair will get a full week’s rest, which is what the players association has been clamoring for, anyway. It makes perfect sense: It’s Manfred’s move.