This is now officially US's pool to lose. They control their destiny.

Loved all the stereotypes that came out during that brawl. Especially from the fans in the stands.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hlW1kecDU7Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Had Canada hit a Mexican player before that or something?

Didn't see the game but apparently it was due to a bunt by Canada while they were up by 6 runs.

Mariano Rivera dro stat fact pack


Most saves vs any team? 43 vs the O's
Most losses vs any team? 8 vs the O's

Epic brawl from Mexico and Canada. Lol at Matty V saying not to mix it up with the hockey players.

My buddy was giving me shit because, since I'm an American born Mexican, I cheer for both USA (country) and Mexico (heritage). He's a big old red neck and I told him someone who doesn't have any cultural upbringing other than being American couldn't understand why I wear two hats during the WBC and not just USA's.

Thoughts? Opinion?

It's no biggie. Fuck him.

<font color=goldenrod>Wright.</font> :love:

He fucking hammered that pitch. Love his swing.

run differential is to blame

I want USA to win not only because they represent the country, but because Joe Torre is managing them, and it'd be awesome for him to go out leading the team far into the WBC.

Good stuff today. Crowd was 19,500 for Canada/Mexico. About what I hoped for. I left before the fights started and shit got rowdy. Kinda wished I stayed for that. USA/Italy crowd was a little less than that I would guess. Not very supportive/loud as the Mexican fans. Prolly because we still think this is a farce of a tourney in the back of our minds.

Place was jumping last night but tonight they didn't even open the upper deck for either game. I wonder if they will Canada/USA. Also if they're pushing back the time. This is a reminder to myself to check when I wake up.

Beer guy selling beer said "bring back the Mexicans, they drink more" when selling his beer. Funny.

Lol Mexico thinking the WBC means something. 9 innings beaners not 7.

<font color=goldenrod>I love the WBC. I think it's unfortunate that most of America doesn't give a shit. All of the other countries where baseball is huge, the WBC is a seriously huge deal.

I can only assume America doesn't care because we know the real MLB season will be starting soon...but still. The WBC is much more fun than a run of the mill Spring Training game.</font>

I think that playing in the WBC is much better for the players than playing regular spring training games. The atmosphere, the in-game situations, the adrenaline. You don't get that if you stay in spring training. I'd guess you get ready quicker, as a player, playing in the WBC and playing games that matter.

I mean, the statistics don't count towards the MLB, but you can't tell me the USA team wasn't pumped up last night, playing an elimination game.

Holy shit, I just read Venezuela was eliminated in the 1st round. They're 0-2.

That team had Miguel Cabrera, "Kung Fu Panda" Pablo Sandoval, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Montero, Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Zambrano, "K-Rod".

Damn.

Hugo Chavez is somehow to blame

That whole pool was a "pool of death" though.

Ideally, this whole tournament would be the greatest thing ever if time weren't a factor. Like if everyone was dead and playing in heaven where we could take as much time as we want. Unfortunately, real life gets in the way and it doesn't quite work out logistically. MLB players aren't really prepared while some non MLB players are playing in the middle of their season and are in great shape. Big money players don't want to risk injury, lack of national pride from US because blahblahblha it's the same thing you've heard over and over. My point is, this tournament would be incredible if like we were all in purgatory and didn't have to worry about real life. This would be a perfect video game tournament. It's much better on paper.

I would love for these games to be actual series against each other and not just single games. This first round could be best of 3, so each team plays 9 games. Best overall records advance. But I actually like the double elimination for the next bracket so keep that. And then the semis could be best of 5 and championship best of 7.

That would never happen though. Not in this world.

Is anyone watching?

<font color=goldenrod>Yep. If US loses this game, they finish last in the pool and will actually have to re-qualify for the 2017 tourney. Qualifiers happen in last 2016, after the MLB season has already finished.

Weird to think there could be a WBC without the US.</font> :o

<font color=goldenrod>Oh wow. A sac bunt didn't pay off. Who could have seen that one coming.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>Jones!</font>

I take issue with the thread title. I'm going to see the Tigers/Mets game tomorrow in Lakeland

Happy that Adam Jones was a big factor in the us winning

<font color=goldenrod>So Brazil, Australia, Spain, and...shockingly enough, Mexico, all need to re-qualify in 2016.</font>

Doesn't Korea have to as well?

<font color=goldenrod>I believe only the last place finishers in each pool have to. Korea went 2-1 but Australia went 0-3. Could be wrong though.</font>

According to Wikipedia, its just last place teams that have to qualify, everyone else gets a spot for the next WBC.

MLB just took whoever was first to lose their 2 games in Round 1 from 2009 as a way to find out who had to qualify for this year.

The Brewers just released Kelvim Escobar.

I didn't even know he was still around.

I love the World Baseball Classic, I've watched most of the games in all of them so far. That being said, my biggest issue is people playing for countries that they're (very) loosely associated with. Grandparents from the country? Maybe I can allow that. But any more distant than that is just silly.

Spain let players who are married to Spanish women represent them.

That's why they have so many Dominicans, Venezuelans and Cubans.

The Canada/US game was pretty good. Except the last couple innings.

Cuba and the Netherlands tied at 6 in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded.

The Dutch win!

im pretty sure if we needed an update on the game, this not where we'd go

You're hilarious.

In a presser, Cashman said he wants Chipper Jones, but didn't have a working # for his agent.