World Baseball Classic Thread

[Bronco LB 59]

It has finally arrived in North America. I am so pumped up! Unfortunately, I have to work today.

At 11 a.m. Mountain on ESPN, Venezuela faces off against the Dominican Republic. The last two American League Cy Young Award winners Johan Santana and Bartolo Colon face on in a classic duel.

At 2 p.m Mountain on ESPN 2, USA and Mexico play at Chase Field in Phoenix. Jake Peavy goes up against Rodrigo Lopez.

This will be the lineups for the Dominican Republic and Venezuela:

D.R.

2B-Alfonso Soriano
SS-Miguel Tejada
1B-Albert Pujols
DH-David Ortiz
LF-Moises Alou
3B-Adrian Beltre
RF-Wily Mo Pena
CF-Juan Encarnacion
C-Alberto Castillo

Venezuela

SS-Omar Vizquel
DH-Carlos Guillen
CF-Bobby Abreu
3B-Miguel Cabrera
C-Victor Martinez
RF-Magglio Ordonez
1B-Ramon Hernandez
2B-Edgardo Alfonzo
LF-Juan Rivera

[broncsyanks]

sorry i hate the whole idea of it

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Ortiz just went yard!!!

[Bronco LB 59]

sorry i hate the whole idea of it

Baseball doesn't have an International competition with professional players like soccer, basketball and ice hockey.

It's going to take time to gain popularity, but it has to start someplace. I don't understand the negativity of some people regarding the World Baseball Classic.

[broncocalijohn]

i love the idea and i have awesome seats when it hits anaheim next week. I have my USA jersey so I am sure i will get some tv love as my seats are behind the plate. I think after this week, people will be watching it. I love baseball so this is better than the All Star game. It should be played at the end of the season though.

[broncocalijohn]

ii have some extra tixs for games at anaheim behind the dug out. I believe they are $48 face value. Two tixs per game.

[BritBronco Maniac]

The Dominican Republic game was awesome!
Close all the way, with some monster homers, before the DR's awesome hitting line up finally asserted their dominance.

I think it's a great idea, the only problem is the timing.
It would be great to have it in mid-season with full strength teams, but it has to start somewhere.

[bfoflcommish]

usa up 1-0

[OrangeShadow]

Yeah Papi just OWNED Venezuala

[ro_50]

US pitching rolling along.

Jake Peavy looked sharp in his 3 innings.

1-0 going into the bottom of the 5th inning.

[Jens1893]

whats the max pitch count for the wbc?

[Breck Bronc]

I only saw the last few innings of the USA/Mexico game, but I'm sold on this after being a little skeptical beforehand. If only the tournament was one week after the end of the World Series when the players are in game shape.

I was thinking I'd buy a Team USA cap but after seeing them there's no way I'll get one. They're ugly. Seriously, how do you screw up something as simple as a USA ball cap?

Seeing Matt Holliday on Team USA shows how deep we had to go to find guys who wanted to play.

[ro_50]

I would buy a USA cap as well but its hideous.

The uniforms are decent though.

I saw the game on TV and I'm sold on the idea although I agree with you, right after the World Series will be a better idea. You can tell some of the players are not in game shape.

USA pitched solid but will need to score more runs to win it all.

[broncohaven]

I only saw the last few innings of the USA/Mexico game, but I'm sold on this after being a little skeptical beforehand. If only the tournament was one week after the end of the World Series when the players are in game shape.

I was thinking I'd buy a Team USA cap but after seeing them there's no way I'll get one. They're ugly. Seriously, how do you screw up something as simple as a USA ball cap?

Seeing Matt Holliday on Team USA shows how deep we had to go to find guys who wanted to play.I was skeptical too, but I watched the DR vs Ven. game, and it was the best baseball I've seen in years. After seeing this game I think the plan may backfire on the MLB by showing the WBC is a superior product.

How sick is that Dominican lineup?

[bfoflcommish]

whats the max pitch count for the wbc?


65 pitches


if they pitch more than 50 they cannot throw for 4 days

[elsid13]

Good start for the boys today - Who up next for America?

[ro_50]

Tommorrow against Canada, 4 PM EST on ESPN 2

[Jens1893]

65 pitches


if they pitch more than 50 they cannot throw for 4 days

i understand that the mlb teams dont want to risk an injury, but 65 is a joke for a big league pitcher .... bump it up to 90 or 95 as thats when the pitchers usually go out in the majors unless they have a horrible game

[ro_50]

I dont think their arms are conditioned yet to pitch 90 to 95 pitches.

I'm fine w/ the pitch count. Its still early March and I think under normal conditions, if it were Spring Training, most of them don't further than two or three innings anyways.

[Arkie]

All new ideas meet resistence. I think the popularity will grow, and these teams that win the WBC will be more talented than the MLB WS winners. They just won't be as familiar with each other as a team. I like the idea of a country having baseball's world champion. I can get into this better than the World Cup, Olympics, and other international competitions.

[Bronco LB 59]

Pitch counts

First round: 60 pitches

Second round: 75 pitches

Semifinals and Finals: 90 pitches

[Bronco LB 59]

I only saw the last few innings of the USA/Mexico game, but I'm sold on this after being a little skeptical beforehand. If only the tournament was one week after the end of the World Series when the players are in game shape.

I don't think a post World Series tournament would work because many pitchers would choose to sit out after logging 200 plus innings on their arms. Plus, the interest would not be high during the heart of football season.

Baseball players already play meaningless Spring Training games this time of year. There is risk of injury in these exhibitions. When you take all factors into consideration, March still has the fewest negatives of the possibilites.

[ClevelandBronco]

Sounds interesting. What is this "baseball" thing?

Is it a sport? A game?

[bendog]

This is awful. Eventually the Chinese will take this over too

[bronco militia]

http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/drew/030806drew.gif

[Breck Bronc]

I'm shocked, just shocked, that Bruce Chen is Panamanian. I know it's a stereotype, but all this time I thought he was Korean or from another Asian country. Or maybe Bruce is just taking the same route his MLB career has by pitching for Korea, Panama, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Japan, Mexico, Venezuela and Canada.

I hope that somehow the USA and Cuba meet up in the next round. I want to pound those guys after all the years of American amateurs losing to Cuban pros.

[Breck Bronc]

Ruben Rivera just crushed a three-run homer vs. Cuba. I remember back when he was a huge prospect for the Yankees. Then his career went bust and all he'll be remembered for is stealing Derek Jeter's glove and selling it to a memerorablia dealer during spring training a few years ago.

[sutoazul]

I think is a great idea. It would bring the patriotism of every country to a very passionate game.
We dominicans are all for this type of tournament. Just for saying we're dominicans we are favorites. Our lineup is intimidating.

[bendog]

What team does Uberugly Ubena play for. That guy I'd avoid. Machetes are bad.

[Bronco LB 59]

Cuba's Yuliesky Gourriel might be the best non-MLB player in the entire tournament. He just hit a 2 run blast in the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie.

Meanwhile, Dontrelle Willis got into some trouble in the 1st inning. Canada leads 1-0. We better beat Canada. They struggled yesterday against South Africa. South Africa challenges China as the worst team in the WBC.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Canada is leading USA 1-0 in the first.

[Clockwork Orange]

Come on D-Train, settle down out there.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

WOW!!! Hit the batter tying the game in the bottom of the ninth with two out.

Rueben Rivera up with bases loaded against the Cubans.

[Breck Bronc]

Switch to the USA game, ESPN!

[ro_50]

USA is down 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

[BritBronco Maniac]

If Canada somehow hold on to the lead, its quite likely the group could end up with 3 teams on 2-1.
What is the tie breaker? Run difference?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Canada 5-0

[OrangeShadow]

cuba just went up 7-6

[Clockwork Orange]

I can't believe that Team USA is getting drilled by Canada.

[Breck Bronc]

The US offense and defense has been embarrassing so far. 2 runs in 11 innings. Grif just roped a double.

[Hogan11]

I don't mind this.............as long as no Pirates get hurt.

[ro_50]

I stopped watching the US game. Just flat out embarrassing. Down 5-0 and they are threatening again.

[Breck Bronc]

Who the hell is Gary Majewski? How can Team USA have a player I've never heard of before on its roster?

Today is shaping up to be one of the worst days in American baseball history.

[ro_50]

USA now down 7-0 in the top of the 4th.

Just flat out pathetic. I'm sorry, no excuses.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

10 run rule in effect. USA could test it out today.

[Bronco LB 59]

What is the tie breaker? Run difference?

Earned runs allowed is the tie breaker.

If the United States loses this, they better hope Mexico doesn't beat Canada by a small margin because they may lose out in a three way 2-1 tiebreaker.

Mexico still has Esteban Loaiza and Oliver Perez available for the Canadian team.

[BritBronco Maniac]

And our very own Jeff Francis going for Canada

[Breck Bronc]

Earned runs allowed is the tie breaker.

If the United States loses this, they better hope Mexico doesn't beat Canada by a small margin because they may lose out in a three way 2-1 tiebreaker.

Mexico still has Esteban Loaiza and Oliver Perez available for the Canadian team.Gulp. They better start scoring some runs.

First we failed to even qualify for the 2004 Olympics. Now this travesty.

[Bronco LB 59]

Who the hell is Gary Majewski? How can Team USA have a player I've never heard of before on its roster?

Today is shaping up to be one of the worst days in American baseball history.

Majewski is a mediocre middle reliever for the Washington Nationals. You can thank Billy Wagner's bleeding vagina for his addition.

[Breck Bronc]

This team should be booed out of the stadium. Stubby Clapp just hit an inside the park HR. I'm done with this team. Fugg this.

[Bronco LB 59]

Gulp. They better start scoring some runs.

First we failed to even qualify for the 2004 Olympics. Now this travesty.

Did you see that pathetic display on Adam Stern's inside the park home run?

I am with you, Breck. I feel so sick to my stomach. In the last 3 years, USA has embarrassed our nation in basketball, hockey and baseball. These spoiled bastards are all gutless. No pride.

[Breck Bronc]

Did you see that pathetic display on Adam Stern's inside the park home run?

I am with you, Breck. I feel so sick to my stomach. In the last 3 years, USA has embarrassed our nation in basketball, hockey and baseball. These spoiled bastards are all gutless. No pride.At this point we'd lose to Luxembourg in the first ever American Football Classic.

The American players that decided not to play in this for non-injury reasons should be ashamed with themselves. There's no reason at all that Matt Holliday should be playing in an important game for Team USA.

[Breck Bronc]

At least my man Griffey has shown up.

[Rich Karlis]

Griffey just got his second double and an RBI.

[Pendejo]

Majewski is a mediocre middle reliever for the Washington Nationals. You can thank Billy Wagner's bleeding vagina for his addition.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[bfoflcommish]

8-2 rally caps on!!!

[FADERPROOF]

Did you see that pathetic display on Adam Stern's inside the park home run?

I am with you, Breck. I feel so sick to my stomach. In the last 3 years, USA has embarrassed our nation in basketball, hockey and baseball. These spoiled bastards are all gutless. No pride.


I'm not sure that you can count Team USA hockey as an embarrassment, with countries like Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Russia it seems as though Team USA isn't expected to do well considering the competition.

But this is pretty sad, I thought that the DR would be our only big time competition and Canada is laying the golden hammer down on us, hopefully this is a wake-up call.

[Bronco LB 59]

At this point we'd lose to Luxembourg in the first ever American Football Classic.

The American players that decided not to play in this for non-injury reasons should be ashamed with themselves. There's no reason at all that Matt Holliday should be playing in an important game for Team USA.

I agree. All of the Venezuela stars decided to play other than Melvin Mora and Felix Hernandez. The Mariners got permission to keep Felix out. Mora chose to play and is receiving death theats in his home country. Magglio Ordonez was leaning towards not playing until he heard about the Mora threats!

Meanwhile, Buck Martinez is managing this team like they are playing an All-Star Game exhibition. He's pulling these stars after five innings like a Spring Training game. He's totally pampering the players. Yesterday, all of the Dominican and Venezuelan stars played the entire game.

Matt Holliday has some value as a late innings pinch-runner, but Ken Griffey, Vernon Wells and Johnny Damon should be playing the games the entire way through in the outfield.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Bases loaded, Varitek up.

[Breck Bronc]

Mark Teixeira hasn't helped at all today at the plate or with his glove. But it's hard to get down on guys that are playing their first games in months.

If anything, we need to score some more runs so we don't get eliminated due to a three-way tiebreaker. Jason Varitek can change the game here.

[Breck Bronc]

Yeeeeeeeeeeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Varitek.

[FADERPROOF]

Grand Slam for Varitek!!!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Hey hey grand salami!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FADERPROOF]

8-6 now, come on USA!!!

[Bronco LB 59]

I'm not sure that you can count Team USA hockey as an embarrassment, with countries like Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Russia it seems as though Team USA isn't expected to do well considering the competition.

But this is pretty sad, I thought that the DR would be our only big time competition and Canada is laying the golden hammer down on us, hopefully this is a wake-up call.

I agree the competition was tough, but USA Hockey shouldn't have tied Latvia and lost to Slovakia, though.

[ro_50]

8-6 USA back in it w/ 6 in the bottom of the 5th. Varitek hit a grand slam.

[FADERPROOF]

side retired, but we've avoided the mercy rule and are coming back to win this thing.

[Clockwork Orange]

Woo hoo!! Tek to the rescue!!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

side retired, but we've avoided the mercy rule and are coming back to win this thing.

Great stuff! Huge 6 run inning and Canada has crap for relievers.

[Breck Bronc]

Exhibit 2,387 why Matt Holliday will never be a great player -- after the opposing pitcher gives up a devastating grand slam, Holliday lets him off the hook by swinging at the first pitch. Matt, make the damn pitcher work some more, don't help him out!

[FADERPROOF]

I agree the competition was tough, but USA Hockey shouldn't have tied Latvia and lost to Slovakia, though.


True, the prelims were pretty bad for team USA, set-up a no-win situation against Finland in round 1 of the playoffs.

What could be emarrassing is how they handled it afterwards, I believe it was Mike Modano that ripped into the NHL for not giving them the time and practice that they needed or something, sounded like a big crybaby about losing and used a sad excuse for it.

[FADERPROOF]

Exhibit 2,387 why Matt Holliday will never be a great player -- after the opposing pitcher gives up a devastating grand slam, Holliday lets him off the hook by swinging at the first pitch. Matt, make the damn pitcher work some more, don't help him out!


That is pretty sad, especially when it was a bit high and outside...

Unless the pitch has skydancing written all over it, work the count and make him throw a few more pitches out there.

[BritBronco Maniac]

Looks like the US is coming back to win this thing.
Even if they don't they probably saved themselves from elimination as Canada has now conceded 14 runs

[Breck Bronc]

Great play by Chase Utley.

I'm fascinated by the reason for all these left handed Canadian hitters. Most hockey players shoot left handed because the right hand is the dominant hand on the stick for a left handed shooter. So they also bat left handed because they probably played hockey before baseball. That's the same reason I bat left handed, shoot left handed but am right handed for everything else.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Damn! Utley creamed it, just a foot or two short.

[Jens1893]

utley flies out to center with 2 on

[Breck Bronc]

Chase, make sure the ball clears the fence before you start showboating.

Canada three outs away from the biggest win in their baseball history.

[ro_50]

Great comeback but if they lose, its still looks really really bad for the US.

[Jens1893]

francouer, lee and a-rod coming up for the us ... odds on a-rod bottling it?

[Jens1893]

someone did a terrible job designing the us jerseys and hats, btw

side retired in order ... it counts for the us now

[Breck Bronc]

Francouer's up. I guess we won't see a leadoff walk.

[Jens1893]

francouer grounds out to 1st

[ro_50]

1 out.

Two more to go.

[ro_50]

Two outs.

One more to go.

[Jens1893]

lee grounds out to first ...

[Jens1893]

0-2 on arod

[Jens1893]

2-2

[ro_50]

Still alive by the narrowest of margins.

[Jens1893]

arod to first

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Dropped the fly ball, still in it.

[Jens1893]

teixeira grounds out to first ... canada win

[ro_50]

Game over. USA loses.

PATHETIC, AWFUL, A DISGRACE IF YOU ASK ME.

[Jens1893]

us only needs a win against south africa so nothing´s lost

[Jori]

Huge win for Canadian baseball...congrats.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Game over. USA loses.

PATHETIC, AWFUL, A DISGRACE IF YOU ASK ME.
Baseball is funny though. Inferior teams can win at this game anytime. The real test is over a series but that isn't the format here.

[Breck Bronc]

Mark Teixeira played probably the worst game of his life. He gave Canada life in the first inning and was lost at the plate all day.

Another embarrassing display by a US team. I hate losing to Canadians in anything. Losing to them in baseball is as bad as it gets.

[ro_50]

Baseball is funny though. Inferior teams can win at this game anytime. The real test is over a series but that isn't the format here.

You are exactly right but it still sucks big time to lose to Canada.

Inferior teams can win at anytime in baseball but with our recent struggles in basketball, hockey (although I think they played decent for being a young team and playing against tough competition); this is tough to take.

I know they only have to beat South Africa to advance to the next round, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

But even if Mexico beats Canada, that would make them 2-1 and US, with a win over South Africa, would also be 2-1.

But doenst US hold the tiebreaker because they defeated Mexico or is it by some run rules.

[Jens1893]

top 2 advance ... dont know if there´s any advantage if you win your first round pool

[Breck Bronc]

You are exactly right but it still sucks big time to lose to Canada.

Inferior teams can win at anytime in baseball but with our recent struggles in basketball, hockey (although I think they played decent for being a young team and playing against tough competition); this is tough to take.

I know they only have to beat South Africa to advance to the next round, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

But even if Mexico beats Canada, that would make them 2-1 and US, with a win over South Africa, would also be 2-1.

But doenst US hold the tiebreaker because they defeated Mexico or is it by some run rules.If Mexico beats Canada and South Africa and the U.S. beats South Africa, then we'd have a 2-1 tie at the top. It would go to earned runs against, where the U.S. looks to have an advantage against Canada and Mexico. We need to shut down South Africa, still.

If Canada beats Mexico then it's a moot point; Canada would be 3-0 and win the group.

[ro_50]

If Mexico beats Canada and South Africa and the U.S. beats South Africa, then we'd have a 2-1 tie at the top. It would go to earned runs against, where the U.S. looks to have an advantage against Canada and Mexico. We need to shut down South Africa, still.

If Canada beats Mexico then it's a moot point; Canada would be 3-0 and win the group.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Boogerboots]

Game over. USA loses.

PATHETIC, AWFUL, A DISGRACE IF YOU ASK ME.

Well this doesn't make up for Canada's Olympic mens hockey debacle in Torino but I'll tip back a pint to it!! :thumbs:

They're already calling it "The Miracle on Dirt"

[ro_50]

Well this doesn't make up for Canada's Olympic mens hockey debacle in Torino but I'll tip back a pint to it!! :thumbs:

They're already calling it "The Miracle on Dirt"

Congrats to Canada for winning. They deserved it.

Jason Bay is a great young talent.

[-Slap-]

Mark Teixeira played probably the worst game of his life. He gave Canada life in the first inning and was lost at the plate all day.
Tex is still third on my Big Board.

[Lidderer]

Tex is still third on my Big Board.

he's gone downhill ever since announcers stopped using the hard 'x'

[-Slap-]

2001 Draft
1 - Joe Mauer
2 - Mark Prior
3 - Dewon Brazelton
4 - Gavin Floyd
5 - Mark Teixeira

I'll bet Tampa and Philly would like a do over.

[BritBronco Maniac]

ESPN say if Mexico win 1-0,2-0, or 2-1, USA is eliminated.

The reason for this is because although the tie-breaker is earned runs allowed, only runs allowed against other teams in the tie-breaker count.
Hence the 8 Canada gave up to SA won't count.

[Bronco LB 59]

Mexico is leading Canada 6-0. USA will advance to the second round with a win tomorrow against South Africa and Roger Clemens is going on the hill!

[Breck Bronc]

Mexico is leading Canada 6-0. USA will advance to the second round with a win tomorrow against South Africa and Roger Clemens is going on the hill!Mexico won 9-1. I assume this means Mexico and USA move on to the next round. Mexico gave up 3 runs to the three teams tied for first, the US gave up 8 runs, and Canada gave up 15 runs. I could be wrong on this, though.

[Jens1893]

US up by 10 runs after 2 v South Africa ... I guess they´re pissed

[Jens1893]

I just tuned in for the 2nd inning and then I saw the score ... you rarely tune in for a baseball game in the 2nd inning and see it´s game over already

[Bronco LB 59]

Jens

The positive for South Africa, one of their hitters happened to get a single off Roger Clemens. Damn! I was hoping for a 5 IP no-hitter mercy rule shutout.

[ro_50]

Good to see U.S. march on.

That loss to Canada could have helped them get more focused.

[Jens1893]

Wonder how much they can get before the mercy rule kicks in ...

Griffey just hit another homer ... 14 zip US

The US probably would get the mercy rule win even if they rested their starters. Wonder how they´re gonna do when they face some decent teams like Venezuela, Dominican, Cuba, Korea or Puerto Rico.

[Jens1893]

Good to see U.S. march on.

That loss to Canada could have helped them get more focused.

You may not care, but the reason West Germany won the 1974 World Cup (football/soccer) is they lost against Eastern Germany in the group stages.

15-0 US of A

[Bronco LB 59]

You may not care, but the reason West Germany won the 1974 World Cup (football/soccer) is they lost against Eastern Germany in the group stages.

15-0 US of A

The "Kaiser", Franz Beckenbauer's triumph!

[ro_50]

You may not care, but the reason West Germany won the 1974 World Cup (football/soccer) is they lost against Eastern Germany in the group stages.

15-0 US of A
I'm actually perplexed now. Was East Germany not good or just solid in soccer then? Was that a big upset? I know West Germany was a power.

[Breck Bronc]

Why is Randy Winn playing left field in the late innings (and starting, no less)? His pop gun arm almost cost the US a run vs. Japan. The umpires bailed him out big time.

[Jens1893]

I'm actually perplexed now. Was East Germany not good or just solid in soccer then? Was that a big upset? I know West Germany was a power.

The 2-3 loss against Austria as defending Champions in 1978 and the 0-1 loss against Eastern Germany back in 1974 are probably the darkest hours in the history of German soccer/football. Eastern Germany just made the World Cup once, I think, and when you look at the history of this country you can see why it´s still such a big deal nowadays. They always had a few decent players, but to my knowledge they were never considered a power like Western Germany. I only got into the sport in 1990 when I was 9, so my memories of a divided Germany are slim at best.

[Jens1893]

The "Kaiser", Franz Beckenbauer's triumph!

Naw, that was 1990. 1990 made him immortal, getting the World Cup 2006 made him turn into god and the pope as the same person for some people.

[Breck Bronc]

Joe Nathan and Brad Lidge haven't made things easy the last two innings.

[WaffleBoy]

I thought he was safe!

The Boy Wonder :super:

[Breck Bronc]

The third base umpire got that call right. Wells was out by a fraction. And then Jeter gets hit.

[WaffleBoy]

bad swing!

The Boy Wonder :super:

[TheManeMan]

A-Rod does it...

[WaffleBoy]

WOOHOO! A-ROD game-winning single!

The Boy Wonder :super:

[Breck Bronc]

You have to wonder what the hell Griffey was thinking during his at-bat. A-rod bailed him out.

[Bronco LB 59]

After attending today's game, I have the utmost respect for Japanese baseball. USA's team looked like a squad of linebackers compared to the skinnier, shorter and more athletic Japanese. Those little guys can play. They have mastered the art of little ball. I think they are the best defensive squad in the tourney.

[broncocalijohn]

I only saw the last few innings of the USA/Mexico game, but I'm sold on this after being a little skeptical beforehand. If only the tournament was one week after the end of the World Series when the players are in game shape.

I was thinking I'd buy a Team USA cap but after seeing them there's no way I'll get one. They're ugly. Seriously, how do you screw up something as simple as a USA ball cap?

Seeing Matt Holliday on Team USA shows how deep we had to go to find guys who wanted to play.

Two things---- first, they dont do it after the world series because many teams were out of the playoffs at the beg. of Oct. They wouldnt want to start back up. 2nd, I like the lids and many do too as they were sold out yesterday for the korea vs usa game. Very disappointed at the 21k fans that showed. That means half the stadium was full. Korea is awesome! Hope we get at least 2nd place.

[Bronco LB 59]

Seventh Inning

Mexico 2 USA 1

US is down to their last 8 outs.

[Hogan11]

Seventh Inning

Mexico 2 USA 1

US is down to their last 8 outs.

How'd Ollie do in his start?

I'm not all that happy with the Classic thus far...but that has to do with Damaso Marte messing up his shoulder in this thing more than anything else :(

[Jens1893]

what are the odds that we´ll see some of the japanese or korean stars in the majors next year? i loved the japanese pitcher that shut out the koreans for 7 innings last night.

[broncocalijohn]

You need to wonder about the Cuba team. These guys have so much major league potential yet their life is spent on the island living in what we would consider poverty. They are heroes in Cuba but could be heroes here and making what they are worth. USA disappointed me. I will go back in 4 years and hope we have more pride to get the best 30 players to go against the world. They need 6 umps (2 in the outfield) top correct those horrible calls that went for the USA team. Enjoyed it. Go Japan!

[Breck Bronc]

The Japanese Central League & Pacific League and the Cuban League have taken a giant dump on Major League Baseball.

The Cubans had a big advantage because their season starts in November and ends in April. They were much more prepared to play than MLB players that don't play in winter leagues around South America and the Carribean.

I've still got to hand it to the Cubans, they've played better than I thought they would vs. MLB's best Latin American players.

One thing I don't like about this WBC is the schedule. We're only going to see one game between a Latin team and Asian/North American team.

I think this tournament has been great, but there is still work to do if there are future WBC's. I'd like to see it played at a different time of year, more games vs. each team, and three game series' in the semifinals and finals.

[Jens1893]

One thing I don't like about this WBC is the schedule. We're only going to see one game between a Latin team and Asian/North American team.

Totally agree. Korea v Cuba and Dominican v Japan would´ve been more fun than the third meeting between Japan and Korea.

[broncocalijohn]

Totally agree. Korea v Cuba and Dominican v Japan would´ve been more fun than the third meeting between Japan and Korea.

They set up the semis to have USA vs a Latin team. USA screwed that part up. If u have two dominating pitchers, then this tournament is perfect for that set up. I would like to see if this WBC helps out the hitters once the real season starts. I hope Mark Texiera keeps his 0 for 15 slump as his Rangers are rivals of the ANGELS.

[Breck Bronc]

They set up the semis to have USA vs a Latin team. USA screwed that part up.If the U.S. beat Mexico and made the semis they would have played Korea.