The World Baseball Classic is now in full swing after playing out 6 games on an exciting Saturday full of baseball. First of all, team USA avenged a loss to Canada in last Classic by beating them this time 6-5 in front of a mostly pro-Canadian crowd in Toronto's Rogers Centre. The game was marked by offensive firepower from both teams. Brian McCann, Kevin Youkilis and Adam Dunn went deep for the US while Joey Votto and Russell Martin did so for the Canadian. Astros LaTroy Hawkins picked up the victory and J.J. Putz closed out what many described as a game with playoff feel. By the way (here is your cue BD) did anyone else noticed the extensive coverage that the netwok was giving Jeter througout the game? So much it seems, that the game was almost an afterthought.Oh, and what happen to the team of the Dominican Republic?? In one of the biggest upset of the Classic, team Netherlands held on to beat the D.R 3-2. The three runs were unearned thanks in part to a costly error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez in the first inning. And then there was Sidney Ponson (yes, the one that beat up a judge from his homeland of Aruba a few years back) getting the victory despite not pitching at his best. Ay! On a encouraging note, D.R. pitcher Pedro Martinez looked like his old self firing 3 shutout innings and striking out 4 while allowing one hit and not walking anybody. Maybe my Astros should sign him.
And as expexted, my homeland team of Venezuela had little trouble in shutting out team Italy 7-0 behind a strong outing by Carlos Silva. Carlos Guillen and Melvin Mora did the most damage by belting out homers to help out in the win. Next up, Venezuela will play the star-studded US team for a spot in the second round.
Then there was free agent catcher Pudge Rodriguez, making a case to be in somebody's team by going a perfect 4-4 with two towering home runs to help out his Puerto Rico team beat Panama 7-0. The Panamenians never threaten, managing 5 hits, all singles, in a losing effort. Javier Vazquez of the Atlanta Braves got the win.
And in the Asian bracket, the Japanese conjured the mercy rule by pounding the Korean 14-2 in seven innings to be the first team to advance to the second round. Ichiro finally broke out of his slump by slashing out three hits and stealing a base to help the Nippon team to victory. Korea can still advance by beating China, who won its last game against Taipei 4-1, and the loser of that game will be eliminated from competition. (Never mind, in a flash update, Korea destroyed China 14-0 to join Japan in the second round)
In today's action from Mexico City, the Cubans face off against their first challenger, team South Africa while the home team of Mexico goes against Australia. Also playing today, Venezuela goes up against the mighty US team while the Dominicans try to avert another shocking loss in facing the Carlos Lee led Panama team.
ok, I've calmed down since yesterday but I still have some major objections to raise against ESPN's coverage of the Canada v. US game. Derek jeter was the main focal point of the color commentary and the camera's favorite subject, regardless of the action on the field A montage of his at bats was also the promo between commercials. Because of this, trying to watch the game was very difficult (because I kept gagging). I could really care less what Jeter is doing in the duggout, or what he brings to the game, or how he relates to other players, or what his favorite color is, because like everyone, I've heard that schlock all a million times. Could they maybe mention Chipper Jones while he's batting, or maybe David wright? Oh wait, they did. Didn't they say something about the Mets and Yanks being crosstown rivals? Good thing they pulled him in the 4th.
ReplyDeleteI understand that MLB needs an angle to promote the "Classic", and they want to improve their image. So they've annointed Jeter, their Lebron James, their Tom Brady, to carry the banner. He's a future Hall-of-Famer, he plays for the Yanks, and maybe most importantly, he's above suspicion. However, he is not the only one out there, nor has he ever been the best player.
To distill the whole league down to a few yanks and maybe a couple Red Sox cheapens the game for fans like me.