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World Baseball Classic!
This past weekend Tracy and I were able to join some friends in San Diego for Game 1 of the Second Round of the World Baseball Classic! I was tremendously excited to see Japan vs. Cuba, a rematch of the 2006 Championship Game! A couple of months ago when I realized the WBC would be just down the coast I looked into ticket prices but was blown away at how much it was going to cost to attend a couple of games, however purchasing single-game tickets the day of the event proved to be a much more cost-effective routine!
We were already in San Diego for the weekend when we decided to make our trip to the ballpark, and little did we know we’d get to see two great teams take the field. Dice-K was the starting pitcher for Japan and he was absolutely lights-out… Ichiro didn’t disappoint either… but Fukadome, was a terrible disappointment (and doesn’t really bode well for the Cubs upcoming season!) Even though it was great to watch a baseball game in the middle of March in a sort of playoff type atmosphere, my favorite part was the fans. Drums and cowbells could be heard all over the stadium during Cuba’s at-bats, and the Japanese fans were unbelievably in sync with their thunder sticks producing complicated rhythms and beats. It was exciting to be in the midst of the madness and hopes riding on each team.
Ultimately Japan prevailed, and they looked remarkable in the process. I’m looking forward to watching more of these games on TV, just as long as ESPN quits televising them solely on ESPN Desportes… a station we don’t readily get.
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11 Responses to “World Baseball Classic!”
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When has Fukudome NOT been a huge disappointment?
I can’t believe how loud and excited the fans are from the foreign countries for their teams. Where is that excitement in American teams? I get most of the games on MLB Network and ESPN, is this not an option for you? Of course I also have the MLB Extra Innings package because I am a complete baseball whore!
At the beginning of last season he was really good, hence the All-Star nod… but fell a part at the end of the season once the pitchers figured him out. Hopefully he won’t be an utter failure this year as well.
We don’t get MLB Net with AT&T U-Verse… so, I miss a lot of stuff. Lame, I know.
I completely forgot Fukudome was an All-Star, what a travesty. That’s like putting Ron Santo in the Hall of Fame, joking. But not really.
Monts, are you going to do a baseball predictions post?
Not to start something, but Santo was the best 3B of his generation… there’s no comparison between him and Fukadome.
And yes, there will be a post… but probably not till just before opening day. I need to see how some rosters fill out… and what signings still are to be had (i.e. Pedro).
Santo should get into the Hall next year, I hear he has a “leg-up” on the competition.
What? Is it too early?
I am so sick of hearing about Santo and others about whether or when they should be in the hall of fame. The hall of fame has become mediocrity to me. The whole “He wont get in his first time, but down the road maybe.” Thats such garbage. You’re either in or out. If there is doubt you are out. It should be such a high bar to even be considered. It should be the top of the top.
I grew up admiring Harold Baines, and he was the best DH of his generation too, but that doesnt mean he warrants Cooperstown. Santo is a great guy and yes its terrible what his disease has done to him, but frankly his numbers dont say hall of fame to me.
Santo is one of the best 3B in the history of baseball according to the numbers… in fact, his stats are better than many 3B’s already in the HoF. In fact, for 3B he ranks 3rd in HR’s, if you want to use that stat. He was a 9-time All Star, a 5-tim Gold Glove winner and had more than 1,000 RBI’s in the pitching era of the 60′s.
No one disputes Brooks Robinson’s election to the Hall, but in the same era Ron Santo has better career numbers… especially if you consider Santo played 8 less years.
Santo has more HR’s: 342 v. 268 (in 8 less years)
Santo trails Robinson in RBI’s: 1331 v. 1357 (in 8 less years)
Santo trails Robinson in Hits: 2254 v. 2848 (in 8 less years)
Santo has a better career BA: .277 v .267
The list could go on. Santo is one of the best 3B in the history of the game.
Check out some of the stat comparisons in this link with other players…
http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1919
Again, Im not saying everyone in should be in either. Im saying the bar should be career 300+ avg, tons of gold gloves, top 10 in rbi, etc, etc. .277 is mediocre to me. My point is simply the bar is too low, and either you are in or you are out. He has had what like 30 different votes whether he should be in or out and still hasnt made it. Enough is enough, he isnt worthy.
Jim Rice is in but Santo isn’t?! Give me a break. The veteran’s committee is a joke. Guys like Santo are punished because they played on mediocre, bad, or underachieving teams.
As for the WBC, I love it. Why does ESPN broadcast the Professional Bowler’s Tour but not the WBC? It is easy to explain why American fans don’t respond the same way as international fans. One explanation is cultural. White Americans just are not as bombastic as Latino fans. Also, American fans just don’t cheer for baseball in the same way that they cheer for other sports like football. Baseball has almost a calming vibe for the American sports fan. Culturally, Asian and Latin fans cheer for baseball in a different way. Another explanation is that most American baseball fans, while they enjoy the WBC, are more concerned that their favorite players escape without injury. For us, what really matters is September/October – not March. The MLB season trumps the WBC. You don’t get excited for appetizers in the same way you get excited for the main course.
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“Not to start something, but Santo was the best 3B of his generation” – Yeah way to not stir the pot Monts.
Santo may have been a great third baseman, but he will never be in the Hall of Fame.
The WBC is nice but I also cringe when a MLB player dives for a ball or fouls one off his foot, it is still an exhibition and “appetizer” before the real MLB season begins. I do feel bad for the Cuban players who have a great amount of talent but will never see the Major Leagues, due to stupid politics. The WBC is now their only International stage, baseball is no longer an Olympic sport, that they can play on and show off their talent.