I know a lot of people are not into this, but it has been real entertaining so far. I did not watch it last year but have very much enjoyed it this year. Great game on now, Netherlands vs Dominican Republic, 0-0 9th inning and the Netherlands has beaten DR once already, loser goes home.
Netherlands just tied it in the bottom of the 11th, what a game!!!!!! Man on third one out, 90 feet away from a major upset.
PS When the DR scored it was Jose Reyes, and who met him at he plate dancing, Hanley Ramirez and Robinson Cano. I thought the Marlins didn't like the dancing?
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Netherlands win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must say, that game had an October feel to it. I love baseball, big Met fan, and when they lost I didn't watch the playoffs. This game really surprised me, it was an awesome game with superstars against nobody's. And the nobody's won and beat the superstars twice.
Im Rooting for Puerto Rico because of Bernie, if they lose then Go Team USA! If they lose then go Italy!
Anyone see the southpaw Albertin Chapman on the mound for the Cubans last night against Australia? Apparently he's only 21.. though we know how reliable these ages can be (Tejada, Guerrero, etc.). Regardless, what a live arm. It appeared he was throwing upwards of 100 mph effortlessly with a devastating curve to boot.
Team USA has no excuses for not taking this thing. They have a killer lineup and probably the best bullpen. THe Dominicans treated this tounrey like a reunion. Too much dicking around and not enough seriousness. You cant just show up in baseball and expect to win.
Team USA has to be the clear favorite at this point. I still can't believe the Netherlands beat the Dominicans twice.
Do not sleep on Japan and Cuba. That Japenese rotation is sick and Cuba always fields great teams Today will be a big test for the U.S.. Venezuela's lineup is dangerous and we'll probably get one of Silva/Hernandez.
Today's game doesn't matter for the US though. They're through to the next round no matter what. And Cuba and Japan are dangerous because their players have been playing for a while now, whereas most of the Major League players are just starting to gear up for the season.
True but the winner gets the benefit of playing the runner-up in pool D. Honestly the U.S. should be able to handle both teams regardless but I feel a win is important just to keep the momentum strong. Again, don't underestimate either of those teams. They are very talented.
Not looking so good for the US anymore. A mercy rule defeat? I know Puerto Rico is playing well but seriously team USA is full of All-Stars and that's the best they can muster. What a shame.
God I hope Beltran and Delgado hit for the Mets like they are for Puerto Rico. And yes, the mercy rule loss is embarrassing. Hopefully it ends up being a wakeup call for the boys.
I went to Saturday and yesterdays game. I also went to the world series this year in tampa and let me tell you, i put that game vs. PR in terms of atmosphere and just a special kind of feeling right next to the world series. amazing atmosphere. though we got our *** kicked i had a blast. sunday was nice to, specially seeing as we won. but the crowd was a little bit of a disappointment. i paid $10 for a ticket and got to see Jimmy Rollins, Derek Jeter, Youkilis, David Wright, Granderson, Adam Dunn, Roy Oswalt, and Ryan Braun all on the field at the same time, kind of pathetic that 11,000 fans showed up. Saturday PR out numbered the US fans probably 70-30. Even though US outnumbered Netherlands, id say it was only 60-40 US compared to all the other fans, which is kind of pathetic.
Ryan Braun and Matt Lindstrom are done. Chances for the US are fading. Wonder if we can get Sizemore back.
What a big win for the US last night. I've never been so happy to see a Met get a hit. Losing Youkilis will hurt for the upcoming games.
Davey Johnson should never be allowed to manage another team. 1. He starts Oswalt a righty against a Japanese team made up of almost entirely slap hitting left handed hitters. 2. Instead of starting JRoll at SS, he puts Jeter out there who has nowhere near the range of Rollins. Jeter's error late in the game cost Team USA 3 runs. JRoll went 4 for 4. 3. Victorino should have been the RF and Dunn the DH. Dunn is the worst right fielder in baseball, he has no arm, no range,,,,he didn't even see a ball late in the game that went right past him. 4. Johnson put Evan Longoria in when Victorino was ready to pinch hit. Longoria strikes out with a runner on 3rd base. No way Vic would have choked....all you have to do is see what both these guys did in the World Series. 5. I am not watching anymore WBC if the USA cannot field a better team and have a real manager running things. Like Joe Morgan said, "Davey Johnson didn't put guys in there to help the team win, he played guys to make them happy."
Why? It's a meaningless event that is geared towards the non US teams to help globalize (and showcase non MLB players) the MLB which no one outside of the US really cares about. It's actually better for the sport that the US team doesn't win.
