World Baseball Classic

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:01:16

HAHA, the Cuban team thought they could pitch players today after throwing 30 pitches yesterday, rather than having to throw 29 or fewer to be available the next day. Federations were given the rules in English, and the Cuban team mistranslated it. Oh boy.

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:35:12

Bases clearing double for Cuba. 5-2 Commies.

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:40:27

Steve Phillips is doing a good job making fun of Castro's son's role as team doctor. He's the first guy out of the dugout to congratulate players, in the middle of strategy sessions. Etc.

Now they're encouraging players to defect. Good stuff.

by **BigEd76** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:47:33

Thorne wanted to see more Cuban fans at yesterday's game since Japan was well represented. Sounded like he wanted to break down international walls like Rocky....

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:49:54

Isn't Shulman calling the game tonight? I realize you're probably talking about last night, but I feel like I'm having Big East flashbacks.

by **BigEd76** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:56:05

Whoever was calling the Japan/Cuba game on Sunday afternoon...thought it was Thorne?

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 00:57:44

Got to love Castro Jr. coming out to the injured Cuba pitcher, allowing him to throw two more pitches, then have to be helped off the field in the middle of the same batter because he was really, actually unable to pitch.

by **WilliamC** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 01:20:04

This strikezone got about 10x bigger. Hairston showed a lot of restraint not kicking the ump in the nuts.

by **Rococo4** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 01:30:15

jerseyhoya wrote:Got to love Castro Jr. coming out to the injured Cuba pitcher, allowing him to throw two more pitches, then have to be helped off the field in the middle of the same batter because he was really, actually unable to pitch.

LOL

by **Rococo4** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 01:31:42

hopefully usa not mercy ruled tomorrow

by **Dick Allen HOF** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 01:37:12

Great time tonight in Miami for the Venezuela/Puerto Rico game. Felix Hernandez is a stud. The Venezuelan women continue to amaze.

Nothing phases Bobby Abreu, certainly not Ian Snell...

King Felix

The electricity of the crowd was amazing.
I spent more time watching and laughing at the stuff going on in the stands than I did watching baseball.
Here is my view from the club level standing in front of Tony Perez.

by 1 » Tue Mar 17, 2009 06:59:15

you should have let him see, too

by **Dick Allen HOF** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 09:01:02

1 wrote:you should have let him see, too

He was sitting with Andre Dawson -- and could see fine. I wanted to get ask him to sign a baseball for me. But I did not.

by **kruker** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 09:35:59

Awesome pictures.

by **lethal** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 09:36:49

Dick Allen HOF wrote:Great time tonight in Miami for the Venezuela/Puerto Rico game. Felix Hernandez is a stud. The Venezuelan women continue to amaze.

Pix please!

by **BigEd76** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 13:10:00

Cantu couldn't save Mexico from elimination. TMac wept.

And apparently Chipper is whining about the WBC, saying he'll never do it again under this format because there's too many off days...

by **z ipper** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 13:12:27

what ever will they do w/o a 39-year old chipper jones?

by **SideshowBob** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 16:33:48

BigEd76 wrote:And apparently Chipper is whining about the WBC, saying he'll never do it again under this format because there's too many off days...

I actually agree that there are too many off days and no reason not to compress the tournament (though the off days seem to be there purely for TV purposes with maybe some travel). That said, why can't the national teams just play exhibitions in between the games on the off-days if that's the issue?

And, furthermore, the biggest issue IMHO is that this should not be in lieu of spring training. It's really pretty simply to have the WBC teams start their "spring training" 2 weeks before the regular spring training starts. They can play against the other national teams or they can do intersquad scrimmages. Other national teams in other sports have training camps where the players work togerther and get into shape. And other WBC participants have as well (Japan starting working out in Jan and most of the Carribean teams feature players who played in winter ball).

by **Dick Allen HOF** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 17:53:08

Just got to the Miami ballpark. A little rain tonight.

Rollins is DHing and batting 3rd. Jeter at short. Ugggg !

I am going to ask if I can turn in my USA hat for a PR hat right now.

by **SideshowBob** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 18:03:04

I don't really see why Johnson is treating the WBC like an exhibition. It's sad. He's actually been a manager that I've admired, but this attitude that he's expresses (both verbally and with his actions) towards the WBC is leading me to re-evaluate my opinion of him.

I hope that whomever we get next to manage Team USA really wants to see the team win and treats the WBC with the respect it deserves.

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