I watched most of the 2006 event and it was filled with pretty good baseball even if the US tanked. Of course, I'll be rooting for the Cubans who made it to the final without any MLB players. S. Korea kinda got hosed last time as it beat eventual champion Japan in both the first and second rounds before losing to them in the semi-finals (the format makes such an injustice possible again).
The WBC site is here: http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule/brackets.jsp
Japan and Korea will be heavy favorites in Pool A and Mexico and Cuba are expected to advance in Pool B. The Euro teams are longshots, but the other three teams in both Pool C and D look to be competitive. Darv, do you think Team Canada will make it to Round 2 and are you going to any of the games (Pool C is in Toronto)?
Originally posted by MoneyManMikeIt's boring to root for Goliath. Most of the other teams are thrown together groups of All-Stars some of whom can't decide what country they are from (A-Rod was on Team USA three years ago and now is on the Dominican Republic). The Cubans are an interesting group of low paid (relative to MLB players) who played hungry last time out and unexpectedly got to the Finals. I like scrappy.
That's odd. Why aren't you rooting for Team USA if you don't mind me asking?
I'll also root for Puerto Rico as one of my all-time favorite players, Bernie Williams, will be making a "comeback" for them.
Originally posted by no1marauderIf you like scrappy, then why root for the Celtics?
It's boring to root for Goliath. Most of the other teams are thrown together groups of All-Stars some of whom can't decide what country they are from (A-Rod was on Team USA three years ago and now is on the Dominican Republic). The Cubans are an interesting group of low paid (relative to MLB players) who played hungry last time out and unexpectedly got t ...[text shortened]... one of my all-time favorite players, Bernie Williams, will be making a "comeback" for them.
Originally posted by no1marauderUm, I thought Japan and China always did great where USA lets us down.
It's boring to root for Goliath. Most of the other teams are thrown together groups of All-Stars some of whom can't decide what country they are from (A-Rod was on Team USA three years ago and now is on the Dominican Republic). The Cubans are an interesting group of low paid (relative to MLB players) who played hungry last time out and unexpectedly got t ...[text shortened]... one of my all-time favorite players, Bernie Williams, will be making a "comeback" for them.
I watched some past 2 years, can't say I know a lot about the subject but my feelings were that USA wasn't some power-house when the cards fell each year.
Where can I find records and results for past decade or so?
P-
Originally posted by no1marauderIsn't rooting for the Celtics rooting for Goliath? Unless your a long time Celts fan of course. I agree though rooting for a favorite isn't as much fun but i'll stay loyal to the home team, also i'll be watching Japan, i know they are a favorite also but Ichiro is a lot of fun to watch.
It's boring to root for Goliath. Most of the other teams are thrown together groups of All-Stars some of whom can't decide what country they are from (A-Rod was on Team USA three years ago and now is on the Dominican Republic). The Cubans are an interesting group of low paid (relative to MLB players) who played hungry last time out and unexpectedly got t one of my all-time favorite players, Bernie Williams, will be making a "comeback" for them.
Originally posted by RandyFlaggWould rooting for the Celts when Russell was coaching them count as a "long time Celts fan"?
Isn't rooting for the Celtics rooting for Goliath? Unless your a long time Celts fan of course. I agree though rooting for a favorite isn't as much fun but i'll stay loyal to the home team, also i'll be watching Japan, i know they are a favorite also but Ichiro is a lot of fun to watch.
The Asian group has opened with the two favorites winning easily against the Chinese teams.
An update:
The Asian group went as expected with the two favorites Korea and Japan advancing easily into the second round.
In Toronto, the US advanced though they squeaked out a tough 6-5 win against Canada in the first game. The Italians then stunned Canada to eliminate them and are now playing Venezuela in an elimination game (0-0 in the 4th).
In Mexico, the Cubans won their first game South Africa easily clubbing 6 HRs. Australia rallied to shock heavily favored Mexico 17-7 and will play the Cubans tonight the winner to advance. Mexico destroyed South Africa in their second game and will play the loser of tonight's game (that will be Australia).
In Puerto Rico, the Netherlands team is the biggest surprise of the tourney so far; they upset the mighty Dominican Republic 3-2 and led Puerto Rico 1-0 before giving up 3 runs in the 8th and falling 3-1. Puerto Rico, which wiped out Panama thus advances. The DR also hammered the hapless Panama team (which got outscored 16-0 in their two games) and thus earned a rematch with the Dutch later tonight. Of course, the DR remains a heavy favorite but the Dutch have been certainly been pitching tough and playing good D. Elimination of the Dominicans in the first round, who are loaded with big name MLB players, would still be a shock though.
In sum, it's been pretty interesting with quite a few surprises. So far though all the advancing teams were expected.
(as I was typing, Venezuela has scored 3 runs in the 4th and is still batting).