2009 World Baseball Classic Thread

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah I figure I'd make a separate thread for this so it doesn't get all lumped in with the offseason shit.

Anyway, some teams have already revealed their rosters, but the provisional 45-man rosters for all of the teams are set to be revealed at 6 PM EST today.

Pretty excited for it.</font>

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Its a cool concept but I never really got into any of the games 4 years ago. I do like the gear they put out though, might have to pick up a Team USA hat.

[BCWWF]

I like it, but am not quite into it yet. Maybe when I start to see the rosters it'll hit.

[Triple Naitch]

I'm going to Round 2 in Miami. Pretty pumped. A couple friends from work went last time and said it was better than a World Series game. The latino fans are insane.

[Triple Naitch]

Oh and Mark Teahen is a traitor to his country. He's from California and is playing for Canada.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I love the concept but I can't watch any baseball where the fans brings drums to the game. So fucking annoying. Also Jerry and Scott Hairston are playing for Mexico. Get the fuck out of here.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I am pretty excited to see that, judging by the Dominican's roster, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez will be starting some games in the Classic. If the Dominican doesn't destroy everyone this year, they should be disbanded.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Their lineup is ridiculous. Carlos Pena-Placido Polanco-Jose Reyes-Aramis Ramirez is their B team infield.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

-edit Website had it wrong

B-Team infield will probably be

Kevin Youkilis - Brian Roberts - Jimmy Rollins - Evan Longoria

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Why is A-Rod playing for the Dominican Republic? He is American, just add it to the list for that guy...

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Apparently Pujols isn't allowed to play because he had offseason surgery or something and it's against rules. Not the Cardinals' rules because they said they don't care. But yeah if he can't play even though he wants to and is able to, that's pretty gay.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Just noticed Manny Ramirez isn't on the Dominican roster

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah the Dominicans are insane. I'm pretty excited about Team USA though, David Wright will likely be getting the starting nod now that A-Rod jumped teams.</fon>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>What I wanna know is why so many people are worrying about their MLB players getting hurt (mainly pitchers). The only guy hurt in the 2006 Classic was Luis Ayala...I guess the only thing you could say is that players might strain themselves because they actually have incentive to win these games, but still...they have a shitload of regulations for pitchers.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

I love the concept but I can't watch any baseball where the fans brings drums to the game. So fucking annoying. Also Jerry and Scott Hairston are playing for Mexico. Get the fuck out of here.

Yeah, how many Mexicans have you met with the names Jerry and Scott?

[BCWWF]

The only real bullshit so far is that A-Rod played for Team USA last year but is playing for another team this year.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I guess I can kinda understand teams like Mexico, Italy etc. stretching it to get players, since there isn't exactly tons of talent getting pumped out of those those countries but a guy like A-Rod playing for the DR is so stupid.

As for guys getting hurt, not a lot of guys did but I know some players didn't really have strong years/really slow starts after participating in the classic so I think that's more of the issue. It really changes the whole routine since its a very early start for MLB guys.

[BCWWF]

It would be a more compelling tournament if the league took a one-month break every four years and held it mid-season. That would never ever ever happen though.

[RatedGSuperstar]

As a Brewer fan, I'm not too thrilled at the prospects of Yo Gallardo being Mexico's ace less than a full year removed from ACL surgery, going into a season where he's going to be expected to be a top of the rotation starter. Whatever...at least I'm looking forward to Ryan Braun launching a few home runs.

The infield alignment is pretty much set, but any guesses on the outfield? I'm thinking Braun-Sizemore-Quentin, but then you're running the risk of your lineup being too right-handed, with Sizemore and McCann being the only lefties. I'd probably start Rollins over Jeter at short, but then you'd have all of New York and the majority of baseball writers up in arms. Still, even with Jeter at short the lineup looks pretty solid...my only concern is the lack of an obvious clean-up guy.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I remember the Mets came hot right out of the gate in 2006 when a lot of their lineup was in the classic, as is the case once again this year.

Realllly hope that's the case again this year. All indications are that they are not upgrading their offense...that lineup has won before, but it needs to not fail in the clutch for a 3rd straight season.</font>

[Jeritron]

A Rod is the worst dude.

[Jeritron]

Have they announced rosters yet?

[Evil Vito]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/wbc_09/roster.jsp?team=940

[Gertner]

My canadians should be solid with Francis-Harden as our 1-2, Morneau, Votto, Martin hitting.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Harden and Francis both said they're not playing

[RatedGSuperstar]

Dempster's not, either, from what I read.

Maybe they could let Stubby Clapp pitch. I have no idea if he's any good...I just love that name. It sounds like the name of a crappy wrestler bound to show up on ECW one day.

[Gertner]

Christ. Scott Richmond is gonna be our #1.

[RatedGSuperstar]

Doesn't help that you're in the same pool as the U.S. and Venezuela. At least you guys should beat Italy. :lol:

Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea, March 5-9 in Tokyo.
Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa, from March 8-12 in Mexico City.
Pool C - Canada, Italy, the U.S. and Venezuela, from March 7-11 in Toronto.
Pool D - Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico, from March 7-11 in Puerto Rico

[BCWWF]

It's kind of weird that all four Asian countries would be in the same pool.

Was the draw seeded? Who was the top seeded team in Pool B, Australia, Cuba, Mexico? Eh.

[Triple Naitch]

Final rosters posted. Kinda underwhelming squads. USA might actually win this.

[RatedGSuperstar]

Thank the Baby Jesus Gallardo's not pitching for Mexico.

I'm thinking Japan repeats. Yu Darvish is going to go nuts.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm still not worried about Mets players getting injured. Hell, IIRC the Mets that went to the WBC in 2006 started the season off hot right out of the gate.</font>

[Skippord]

Bradley Hawpe will carry team USA...if he's still playing

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Grady Sizemore, Joe Nathan, BJ Ryan out for USA

Adam Dunn, LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan in. Good God.</font> :|

[BCWWF]

LaTroy Hawkins, really?

[BCWWF]

It's disappointing that USA doesn't really take this seriously.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, a lot of people pulling out due to injury worries.</font>

[RatedGSuperstar]

There wasn't a better reliever in the United States than LaTroy Hawkins? I find that hard to believe.

If we wanted someone to just serve up gopherballs we should've just made Eric Gagne a naturalized citizen and put him on Team USA.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Japan beat China 4-0

Yu Darvish went 4 innings with no hits and 3 K's. He is sick nasty

[RatedGSuperstar]

Every guy he strikes out in the WBC is going to earn him like $10 million on a contract when he finally gets posted. You know, assuming we'll still have a monetary system by then.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Woke up at 7 AM today, felt weird turning on the TV and seeing live baseball. But yeah Darvish is gonna make a crapload when he gets posted, maybe even more than Dice-K.</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

At 22 or whatever the hell he is, Darvish deserves way more than Dice K or anyone else. He is a gem

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wow, I thought Korea/Japan would be a good competitive game. Before even seeing the other teams play yet I'd say it will be hard as balls to stop Japan from repeating.</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Volquez is pitching for the DR today. Very interested to see how he looks

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Wow 2 errors by DR in the first inning leading to 3 runs for Netherlands

Volquez 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 WP, 3 K

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Heeeeeeeeeeere coooooooooomes Pedrooooooooooooooooo

[BCWWF]

Awesome. Just watched the Netherlands beat Dominican Republic. USA vs. Canada is just starting on ESPN but I've got to watch the Mizzou basketball game instead :mad:

I like this thing, both games seemed to be well attended too.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wow, what an upset.

Not sure why Felipe Alou had Jose Bautista pinch run for Papi though, it ultimately came down to Bautista at the plate with two outs :o Meanwhile Jose Reyes sat on the bench. Hopefully he plays next game.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Putz incredibly close to blowing this...he better not be this way during the season</font> :o

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>WOOOOOOOO :love:

What a fucking game.</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Joey Votto is a man.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Imagine if Panama wins this one...I'm sure we were all expecting a DR/Puerto Rico matchup, but not in an elimination game.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Dominican Republic really saved their own asses today. Hopefully USA pencils in their trip to Miami tonight. Can't wait til this weekend!

[toxic rooster]

yup

who wants to touch me

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Johnny Cueto dominating some bitches

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm liking the tournament so far this year...one change I'd like to see made for next time is to scramble up the 16 teams so we get 4 randomly drawn pools, gives more potential for intriguing matchups (and also eliminates some of the givens, really obvious which teams are advancing in some pools).....then again that runs the risk of there being a pool with DR, Japan, Cuba, and Puerto Rico with two of those teams getting knocked out in the first round whilst two from a pool of Italy, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, and the Netherlands gets to advance and get slaughtered.</font> :o

[BCWWF]

Tbh I agreed with Big Vito when I initially saw the draw, but I can see why they would do it like this after seeing some of the games. I mean the stadium in Toronto is probably the biggest they are using, and it never would have sold out had Canada been playing anybody else. I think setting up the natural rivalries and making Team USA the "bad guy" on Canadian turf was brilliant.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The Asian teams make it difficult too. I really doubt Taipei would be too keen about travelling to Canada for two games and then go home.

[Triple Naitch]

Just watched the Mexico/Australia replay from last night. Australia crushed Mexico 17-7. Mexico doesn't have a horrible squad, either. That's an upset.

[BCWWF]

I'm pretty sure half the Twins farm system is from Australia.

[toxic rooster]

Few Aussies in the Phillies system too

[The Gold Standard]

I love the Classic, the Puerto Rico Netherlands game was great

[Triple Naitch]

lol Vinny Castilla is the manager for Team Mexico.

[Nervous Ferret]

Luis Sojo managing Venezuela :love:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>HOLY SHIT, WHAT A FUCKING GAME!</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Holy fuck! No Dominican team?!?!?!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Carlos MarmLOL</font>

[Triple Naitch]

So this weekend, I'm paying $250 to see U.S., Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and NETHERLANDS?!?!?!

[Cooler Tom Schuler]

THE Netherlands.

[BCWWF]

Do the Netherlands have any MLB players? I heard Bert Blylevin is the pitching coach, which is awesome. I wonder if anybody in Holland is even noticing though. I have a friend who is a soccer reporter in Holland. I'll ask if it's made a dent.

[BCWWF]

He said he hasn't been outside yet but he's sure it'd be on the front page of the sports sections today and that in general baseball gets decent publicity over there. Go figure.

[Triple Naitch]

Randall Simon (The Sausage King of Chicago), Sidney Ponson, Rick VandenHurk, can't think of anyone else. I think Andruw Jones is from there, but I don't think he's playing.

[toxic rooster]

Do the Netherlands have any MLB players? I heard Bert Blylevin is the pitching coach, which is awesome. I wonder if anybody in Holland is even noticing though. I have a friend who is a soccer reporter in Holland. I'll ask if it's made a dent.

Most of those guys are from the Caribbean islands the Netherlands own though. It's not like you're talking about a team from Amsterdam or whatever

[RatedGSuperstar]

Randall Simon (The Sausage King of Chicago), Sidney Ponson, Rick VandenHurk, can't think of anyone else. I think Andruw Jones is from there, but I don't think he's playing.

There's a lot of minor league prospects, too...Yurendell DeCaster from the Washington system is the big one, IIRC, and he's the one who had the game-winning hit against the DR.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>DAVID WRIGHT</font> :love:

[Juan]

USA

[The Gold Standard]

I love the World Baseball Classic. I hope it becomes big, like the World Cup

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I think we're getting a Korea/Japan final...I know that's the biggest international rivalry in baseball, but still we've already seen that matchup 3 times this tourney (soon to be a 4th and maybe eventually a 5th) so I really hope it winds up different.

It's crazy really how good those teams are...especially since the individual leagues they play in are widely considered to be on par with Triple-A skill level.

If they are basing it on international rivalries, I really hope they put Puerto Rico and Cuba in the same pool next go around.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

The WBC was fucking insane. I had the time of my life in Miami. It felt like I was in Latin America during the Puerto Rico/Venezuela game. I was decked out in Venezuela gear and sheered for the squad alongside thousands of foreign speaking strangers. We were high fiving everyone, the music was crazy, and everyone was dancing between innings. The U.S.A./Puerto Rico game was fucking intense. I was right behind home plate for that game. I can't wait to go again in 2013.

[ClockShot]

Japan does it again.