The WBC Gets Some Deserved Attention
by Al Yellon on Mar 11, 2009 3:30 PM CDT
in Game Threads
69 comments
I admit, I was kind of lukewarm about the WBC before it started.
But that was before all the compelling, entertaining and exciting games and upsets we've seen so far.
Tonight, there are three games, with one more tomorrow that will end the first round. Use this thread for discussing all three of them. And, the two Cubs remaining in this round will both see action tonight.
Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico at San Juan. Game time: 4:30 pm CDT. TV: ESPN2. Both teams are headed to Miami for round 2; the winner gets the #1 seed, the loser the #2 seed. There ought to be a raucous home crowd rooting on the Puerto Ricans. The Giants' Jonathan Sanchez will start for Puerto Rico, and Geovany Soto is expected to be the starting catcher.
Venezuela vs. USA at Toronto. Game time: 5:30 pm CDT. TV: MLB Network. Ted Lilly will start this game and probably go two or three innings, then be followed by Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie. Zambrano will start for Venezuela... that is, of course, Victor Zambrano, who got shelled in relief on Sunday. The winner gets the #1 seed from the pool, the loser gets the #2 seed, and they'll both head to Miami for the first game in the next round on Saturday.
Mexico vs. Australia at Mexico City. Game time: 9 pm CDT. TV: MLB Network. Another partisan home crowd will root on Mexico -- this game is an elimination game; the loser goes home, the winner faces Cuba tomorrow to determine the #1 seed in this pool, where the top two seeds play Japan and Korea in San Diego. Atlanta Braves starter Jorge Campillo will pitch for Mexico; David Welch will go for Australia. Two days ago the Aussies overcame a 6-4 deficit vs. Mexico and won 17-7.
Discuss, as always, amongst yourselves.
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Darn I will miss TRL
Going to dinner and a play but back in time to root for the Aussies.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
Given that the PR team is probably better than the Netherlands team
If the Netherlanders win, does the US tank their game so they get to play the Netherlands in the next round instead of PR?
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)
They'd need to tank it quick.
The PR-Ned game starts just an hour ahead of the USA-Ven game, so it’d be tough to do, unless they’re assuming the Dutch will lose.
And you know what happens when you assume…
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Bad idea!
The Dominican team had that idea and look what happened to them!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Mar 11, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I canot wait to watch the Netherlands again.
They are a breath of fresh air, and fun to watch. I cannot remember ever seeing a team that cannot hit a ball but wins with pitching like this.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I see you've been busy with Photoshop today.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
How bout one that says "Lets Overreact"
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
He's seriously out of touch
He doesn’t realize that the current CRISIS is pitchers not getting enough innings in the WBC. “Let’s get pitchers hurt” is so February 2009.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Boo...dish network doesn't have mlb network...
another reason why I hate how baseball is commercializing every aspect of the game.
Geo tags Randall Simon out at home plate!
Why said Geo doesn’t block the plate?
Hey, it's a new century!
Lilly gets Venezuela 1-2-3 in the top of the first, 1 strikeout
12 pitch inning.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
The new MLB.TV media player looks nice.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 5:49 PM CDT reply actions
Does it slow your computer down?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I don't notice anything running slower.
I’m running a DuoCore Pentium with 4GB of ram.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
That's an impressive machine.
I don’t have MLB.TV this year.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I finally broke down and upgraded to the Premium Package...
so far, the only games they’ve offered in the higher bandwidths have been the WBC games…at least that I’ve seen. It looks remarkably better then all previous years and the new media player lets you see the box score and innining by inning summary on demand as well as use it like a DVR and rewind a pause the game. Really slick so far.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds cool.
Not sure I’d use it much, so it’s probably not worth it to me.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
For an out-of-towner with only DishNetwork...
it’s a godsend.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, I have no doubt of that.
Enjoy!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Soto 0-for-1 with a walk.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Rollins "Theriots" a ball to his right.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions
Lilly has allowed one hit in two innings.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I'm psyched to be going to a game this Saturday
Hopefully USA vs Puerto Rico, which means Netherlands has to continue its upset run. I’ll take and post pictures.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
Great!
Should be great fun and an excellent game.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Al, did you see where Paul Sullivan responded favorably
in the fanpost about All-Time Home Grown vs. All-Time Acquired Teams
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
Yes, I did.
Glad we could help him out.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
that was cool he posted about it
and I look forward to seeing how we compare to his (not my tongue in cheek horrid team, but those we all did seriously)
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Ryan Braun singles...
David Wright holds @ 3rd…runners on the corners, 2 out.
Brian McCann at bat…I didn’t know Mike Schmidt was the 3rd base coach.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:06 PM CDT reply actions
McCann flies out to the warning track in left.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:08 PM CDT reply actions
Hank White....
Home Run.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:11 PM CDT reply actions
Blanco takes Lilly yard
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
I bet Bako could do that too.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Blanco has seen Lilly plenty
Lilly gives up lots of HR (32 last season?)
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
I'm guessing Blanco knows exactly what Lilly throws.
So, if the US loses and Puerto Rico wins, they play each other, right?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
That is correct, Saturday night in Miami
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
Looks like you're going to get your wish.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Now Gregor Blanco gets in on the act...
doubles down the 1st base line.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:14 PM CDT reply actions
Greg White.
Didn’t the Cubs have a guy like that once?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
LaToya is warming up in the bulllpen.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:20 PM CDT reply actions
i thought guthrie was gonna throw after lilly.
Good thing they’ve already advanced
2008 National League Central Division Champs!!!!!
Guthrie sucks.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
http://lostinthevines.blogspot.com/
by lostinthevines on Mar 11, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Hawkins in to pitch for Lilly.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:26 PM CDT reply actions
Puerto Rico is leading Netherlands 3-0 bot 5th
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
This clown Guthrie from the Orioles
who gave Venezuela the lead gets put back in to give up another two runs.
Orioles have the worst pitchers in MLB (and please don’t nit-pick with stats) – what is DJ doing?
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes any day". - AJ Pierzynski
http://lostinthevines.blogspot.com/
Peavy
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Anybody think Ted gave Hank White one last meatball
Just for old times? Watching Hank White hit that ball made me miss him.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
AL--
I think you owe the WBC an apology.
It seems to me that this has been a good pre-season, all things considered.
We have a Cubs team that has struggled in the second and third weeks of not real baseball – but the important people look good – more or less (this is the Cubs, after all. Faith. [I had a rant that went here, but I’ve been drinking, as a friend of mine is getting married… later today]);
We have an international comeptition that is attracting all kinds of interest in the next competition (which will be held in 2012, unless Bud gets his money-grubbing hands on it [no offense to the rabid Bud supporters (because offense isn’t really my thing, all two of you)]);
So, out of the two, which do you think will incite (woo!) more interest in the game of baseball? Honest opinion now. Assume I’m playing Devil’s advocate.
Music here!
I gave the WBC an apology.
It’s kind of what the title of this post implies.
Incidentally, I think the next one is scheduled for 2013 — they did it at a three-year interval this time so they could get it into a FOUR-year rotation in non-Olympic years.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I was at Bithorn Stadium last night watching the Netherlands-P.R. game.
It was an electric atmosphere. I was sitting in the upper rows behind home plate and had a TV-like view of the whole field. I took some photos with a friend’s camera and if they look good I’ll send them to Al after I get them later today through e-mail. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get to the stadium well before the game started as I would have liked because I was working and the game started at rush hour, traffic-wise.
The crowd was restless while the game was 1-0. Just more evidence of how good the Netherlands team is in terms of pitching and defense. Their weakness is a lack of offensive production, never scoring more than 3 runs in the games played so far. After the local team increased its lead, the crowd became festive. And when the crowd learned that the US team was losing to Venezuela, many expressed some disappointment. Venezuela eliminated Puerto Rico in the last WBC, so everyone in the island was hoping for a rematch next Saturday. Now payback will have to wait a few days.
Geovany Soto looked immense behind the plate and with the bat. He managed the pitchers very well, had another excellent hitting night and saved his team from a tie in the first inning when the Netherlands 3rd base coach mistakenly sent Randall Simon to the plate in the 1st inning. The throw was coming home shortly after Simon turned around 3rd. That reminded me of the horrible job Puerto Rico’s 3rd base coach did Monday night, sending Bernie Williams home and not alerting a runner later in the game to the possibility of a wild pitch; the runner did not run home after a WP.
BTW, Bernie should hang the spikes for good after the WBC is over. His bat, his legs, everything about him is slow. He’s in better shape than I saw him when he played briefly in the Winter League, but has not got any quicker. At least he got his goodbye standing ovation. The guy is really beloved in his native island.
Iván Rodríguez was named the equivalent of MVP in the 1st round. He had a mammoth 1st game but didn’t do much the rest of the tournament. He was failing consistently, swinging at low and away sliders. I’m not sure that he has anymore what it takes to play as a regular in the major leagues.
If Puerto Rico loses a close game in the next round, chances are the manager, José Oquendo, will have much to do with it. He has not shown he learned anything under Tony LaRussa. Penciling in Bernie as a leadoff hitter Monday? Ugh! That’s just one of the many mistakes the P.R. skipper has made in the classic.
I couldn’t post yesterday, so I’ll answer Al’s query in a previous post. Carlos’s last name is written Mármol and pronounced MAR-mol (emphasis on the first syllable). Too bad that Carlos failed again under pressure. Hopefully this defeat will toughen Carlos’s mind.
It was an excellent 1st round for Geo; a tough one for Carlos Mármol. Carlos will get a chance to redeem himself with the Cubs beginning this week. Geo is in top shape and ready to play for the Cubs when his participation in the WBC is over.
by Fraggin Judge on Mar 12, 2009 5:06 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
well said
thanks for the insight
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
Excellent post.
Thanks!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
terrific write up
Thanks for the birds eye view. On this distant shore I also enjoyed watching Soto once again demonstrate his masterful command of pitchers ;-)
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
oops. reply is my friend.
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
If the guy I met at the bar last night...
…shows up here on BCB, welcome! I was at a bar with some buddies last night and one of the patrons noticed my Cubs hat. We chatted about going to games with our fathers (me) and sons (him), and I told him about BCB and gave him the website. Nice guy. So if there’s someone new out there from Lawrence, Kansas, welcome!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Thanks for spreading the word!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I didn't feel this needed it's own thread... but
Jim Hendry is going to be on the SCORE with Mike Murphy at Noon… sharp.
10 minutes from now.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
Thanks! Just tuned in to the stream.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by dat cubfan daver on Mar 12, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
TWSS
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 12, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
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