FanPost

Some Impressions from the WBC

I'm still on the road so this will be fairly short, but I wanted to post some quick impressions from a long day yesterday at the WBC semifinals.

There are lots of naysayers on various baseball boards, but you would have to be truly biased against the whole concept not to have thoroughly enjoyed the day.  It seemed to me that the main difference -- in both WBC games -- is that the players (with the possible exception of the Dominican players) were truly playing because they cared about winning the game instead of punching the ticket on another day at the office.

I'm not comfortable with the politics behind Cuba's appearance, but what I will say is that those players were so intense on every pitch -- and the Dominicans (like Team USA) really didn't seem to share that intensity as a team.  The Cubans were really apprehensive early in the game (looked like they were downright terrified of Pujols), but eventually eased off as the game wore on and got comfortable.  I think this was the first time I was ever in a ballpark and said "Come on, Pujols, do something!" during a game.  And it was nice to be able to root for Moises Alou again. Bottom line -- the MLB players just didn't really have their hearts in this, and it showed.

The second game was incredible -- there is no question that Japan-Korea is the Cubs-Cardinals of this tournament.  And it showed in all the players.  Ichiro and Fukudome just played out of their minds, and it was so obvious that both teams really wanted this game at a visceral level. The second biggest treat was watching the fundamentals and the defense -- it's a cliche, but I swear I have never seen smoother or more efficient fielding in any other baseball game anywhere, and it was something to marvel at.  Dusty really ought to get a Korean coach to come over and help the Cubs with fundamentals.

Finally, the pro-Korea crowd was even louder and more engaged than it probably looked on TV -- I can honestly say that I have never been to a game with a crowd that enthusiastic, ever.  Nonetheless, I simply could not resist yelling "Choi, you still suck!" during one of his later plate appearances.  And Byun Hyun Kim has got to be one of the biggest ongoing disasters (or tragedies) in the sport.  I am amazed but thankful he hasn't pitched for the Cubs.

Big thumbs up.  Looking forward to the finals.

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