Who here loved the World Baseball Classic?

[Taverner]

I loved it - yeah yeah yeah say what you will about Selig and whatnot, I loved the idea or a world baseball championship, that really did have the world.

Besides, I was able to see

- That freaky submarine pitching style Japan used
- No holds barred baseball like the Cubans and Dominicans played
- That A-Rod is really a loser
- The Korea/Japan game that showed why I love the game
- That the Netherlands could acutally arrange enough people to field a team

What did you think?

[maveric]

1. I thought it was great! They should do it every year.

Especially now that baseball is NOT in the Olympics.
USA Athletes are not the dominating force they used to be and its great to see international competition.
Next WBC is sheduled for 2009. I just hope that bu$h hasnt destroyed the world by then.

[Taverner]

4. I agree! This should be a yearly thing!

2009?????

Damn I can't wait that long!

[sir_captain]

14. i'm pretty sure they're doing the next one in 2 years

and then every 4 years thereafter

[azmouse]

2. I thought it was a snooze fest.

I love the sport but couldn't get excited about the Classic.

[Taverner]

5. But...but did you watch Japan?

I mean think about it - a team that doesn't steal bases beating teams that do....

[azmouse]

6. I watched some of Canada, Cuba and of course the US

but I couldn't even stay interested in those games. I live about 30 miles from Chase Field where some games were played. Didn't even care to go. ...snooze fest...

[Taverner]

7. If you can catch the highlights from last nights game..

Daisuke Matsuzaka's pitching was simply amazing.

[Beer Snob-50]

3. It was great

Loved to watch the Cubans and the Dominacans (sp) play. And it was great to see the team of Jeter/A-Rod/Damon lose.

[Taverner]

9. Cuba and DR played fierce didn't they?

None of that bored, "when is this all going to be over?" look you see on MLB players. They played as if their very lives depended on the game...

And the Japanese and Koreans played with a certain finesse that seems to be lost in the MLB. Keep in mind Asian baseball does not allow stealing bases, so Japan won this without any steals.

That, is baseball.

[Beer Snob-50]

10. I found it interesting when Jon Miller talked about

Ichiro last night and how he had trouble finding teammates to play catch with him 3 or 4 hours befoer the game while in Japan that is normal.

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. I enjoyed it from the viewpoint of

a critical observer, or something like that. Perhaps if I could've seen it (no cable/satellite), I might have enjoyed it more. I've been a huge fan of baseball on radio for many years, but when it comes to different styles of play, it really must be seen.

I wonder if Japan will be recognized as the "world champion." Y'think they're gonna change that nomenclature beginning with the 2006 World Series? Hell, rightfully, they should change "World Series" — but we know that ain't gonna happen.

And maybe this is chauvinistic or something, but I think I'd prefer something like a Little League arrangement, where the winner among the Rest Of The World plays the U.S. for the "world champion" title. I'm not wavin' any flags; I just like the idea of it being head-to-head — the "inventors" against the best the others can offer.

[ButtScratchinMike]

11. Some thoughts

First, I'll comment on the series: I enjoyed seeing the the Asian and Cuban teams, since aside from the Olympics, international play that doesn't involve the US rarely makes it to basic cable. The Japanese and Korean teams play the style of ball I enjoyed watching as a kid; good pitching, base running and defense, not this steroid induced home run derby type of playing that MLB has become since after the '94 strike.

My only problem with this tournament was the team with the best record, who only lost one game, and beat the eventual champion in two of three games, was excluded from the final. Next time, I hope they correct this by making the final round a double elimination playoff.

Second, I was glad the US got knocked out of it. Not because I hate America or support the terrorists. Since 9-11 I've become sick of flag waving and uberpatriotism, and hate anything that might incite that sort of dipshitted nationalistic pride, especially when, as far as I can see, there isn't anything going on involving our government that justifies such outpourings.

Plus, some of the arrogant major leaguers needed to be taken down a notch.

And in closing, Id like to comment on the huge display of corporate welfare that is Petco Park and its surrounding neighborhood, and the typical lying bullshit that John Moores' was laying out in order to get it built, and to have the city use it's power of eminent domain to allow him to develop the surrounding neighborhood. But fuck it, I'll save that for another post.

Mike

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. Completely agree about the U.S.

Going into the WBC, I was hoping they wouldn't win because it would give the asspipes one more bullshit reason to go "HOO-rah!"

[Initech]

13. It was awesome!

They should have it every year and I'm glad the US didnt win it - more fuel for the Bushistas!