Keith Olbermann draws ire for calling World Baseball Classic 'meaningless' after Edwin Diaz injury

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Former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann was among those upset with Major League Baseball stars getting hurt at the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who signed a lucrative deal to stay with the team in the offseason, suffered a freak injury while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic. Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman was injured while playing for Canada earlier in the week.

Olbermann dismissed the importance of the World Baseball Classic in a tweet.

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Freddie Freeman, #5 of Canada, runs the bases against the United States during a World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 13, 2023 in Phoenix. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

"First Freddie Freeman, now Edwin Diaz," he tweeted. "The WBC is a meaningless exhibition series designed to: get YOU to buy another uniform, to hell with the real season, and split up teammates based on where their grandmothers got laid.

"Call it off. Now."

Olbermann’s opinion appeared to be in the minority as he faced backlash.

As FOX Sports’ Ben Verlander showed just how meaningful the tournament is to plenty of baseball players, Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebbert signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers after striking out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers on Monday.

METS' EDWIN DIAZ SUFFERS INJURY DURING WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC CELEBRATION, LEAVES FIELD IN WHEELCHAIR

Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz, #39, leaves the field on a wheelchair after an apparent leg injury during the team celebration against Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park in Miami March 15, 2023. (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY