WBC Semifinals: 3/22/09: 2:00 MT
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 2:09 PM MDT
in Miscellaneous
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PrintHere is your WBC Update for Sunday
THERE ARE NO MORE POOLS
VENEZUELA HAS BEEN ELIMINATED
Korea: 10, Venezuela: 2
In yet another head-scratcher by Venezuela manager Luis Sojo, Venezuela SP Carlos Silva got tagged 6 runs, 7 earned, on 6 hits, 1 walk, 2 errors, and a pair of home runs, all over only 5 outs.
Felix Hernandez sat and watched.
Eric Karabel and Peter Pascarelli from ESPN Baseball Today Podcast both anticipated King Felix getting the start.
Everyone who knows anything about the Venezuelan team anticipated King Felix getting the start.
I sure anticipated King Felix getting the start.
And yet, Venezuela forgot that Carlos Silva did oh so well against Italy and The Netherlands. No real powerhouses, no real offenses.
And then they wonder how he got pummeled so hard by the Korean squad.
Korea advances after taking complete advantage of an absolutely sloppy game by the Venezuelan squad. Venezuela was charged with 5 errors and complete management incompetence throughout this game.
This isn't to minimize the performance of the Koreans, however, as they played like studs, utilizing fundamental baseball skills and a supreme level of preparedness to send Venezuela packing.
Lines of the game:
Korea SP Suk-Min Yoon: 6.1 IP, 7H, 2R, BB, 4K
Korea 1B Tae Kyun Kim: 2-4, 3R, 2RBI, BB - this guy is 27 and destroying the baseball. Granted, it's the WBC, and not official league play, but this guy has some talent.
Korea RF Shin-Soo Choo: 1-2, R, 3RBI, 2BB
----------------------------------------------------
Tonight, USA will square off with Japan (6:00PM MT, ESPN) in a matchup that might just be the entire point of the World Baseball Classic. For years, many people have cried out for a "true" World Series, and claimed that Japanese baseball could stand up with USA any day of the week. Well, now, money is where the mouths are, so to speak.
USA SP Roy Oswalt will take the mound against arguably the best player since the inception of the WBC, Daisuke Matsuzaka.
The winner will advance to face Korea. The loser will go home.
Both teams have taken some key losses. Japan lost 1B Shuichi Murata to a torn hamstring. Murata has been an integral piece to that lineup.
It's not to say that the United States hasn't had MORE than its share of injuries, including 1B Kevin Youkilis, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B Chipper Jones, RP Matt Lindstrom. Also, 3B David Wright and LF Ryan Braun have both hurt themselves, but are prepared to play in tonight's matchup with Japan.
If you haven't watched the WBC yet, if you haven't bought into me (and others) claiming "games of the tournament": watch this game. For the USA, this is the game of the tournament. Puerto Rico was a big game, as it was an elimination game, but in terms of national pride, in terms of whose baseball system looks better, in terms of being the best of the International Powerhouses, THIS is the game of the tournament.
Korea vs. the Winner will be an excellent game of baseball, there's no doubt there. But in my mind, this is the game. This is USA vs. USSR. This is gigantic. This could be the game that really puts the WBC on the map and hails it as a baseball competition of pure excellence.
This might be the game that makes the United States of America start to care again.
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Felix
I wonder if he isn’t hurt – or had some sort of injury or soreness creep up that made them decide to sit him – nobody in their right mind would start Silva in that game.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
right mind
key
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 5:15 PM MDT up reply actions
USA! USA! USA! USA!
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
NO Dreamy in a dysfunctional lineup
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
he started against Venezuela in the game that meant everything
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 6:27 PM MDT up reply actions
Talk about dysfunctional
Jeter SS
Rollins DH
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
That is sort of what I meant
along with DeRosa at 1st
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
At least
with DeRosa they didn’t really have a better option with the current roster. But agreed – he’s using Ryan Garko’s glove.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
The glove
was overnighted by Garko to DeRosa
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
You know
you have problems when your 1B doesn’t own a 1B glove…
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
Looks like he brought his glove there
Nice play by mr March as well
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
BOOOOOMMMMMMM!
’ata boy Roberts.
USA USA USA USA
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
I feel like an idiot for selecting Dice-K in fantasy
hopefully he’ll rack up some wins still
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 22, 2009 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Defense
clap clap
Defense
clap clap
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
good inning from Oswalt
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 6:24 PM MDT reply actions
It looked like DeRosa had some problems
getting the ball out of the glove. What makes it funny is that it is not his glove.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Walk
Dice-K led the AL in walks last year with fewer that 170 innings pitched. Keep it up DK
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
That's okay
only one. Keep them there.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Japan vs USA
in my mind, this is the game. This is USA vs. USSR. This is gigantic. This could be the game that really puts the WBC on the map and hails it as a baseball competition of pure excellence.
Good quote, this game is as traditional as you can get with modern international baseball.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
That was a pretty swing...
right on the button.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
David Wright
Mr. March.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 6:57 PM MDT reply actions
3-0 to Dunn
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Another walk
This is good.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Dice-k struggling with runners on base...
Might be a concentration issue, or pitching out of the stretch throws off his balance a little.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
That's why he didn't deserve the 07 ROY
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Braun was late...
probably looking for the slider.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Roy's looking good
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Is Oswalt the Best American Pitcher right now?
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
I don't know
There are some pitchers, Webb, Halladay and a few others, who are at least as good. He is the best on this staff though. He also has the most wins since 2002 (115) to go with an ERA of 3.17 in that time.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Peavy has the best stats out of the past 3 years...
3.15 ERA and 621 K’s
Oswalt has 3.23/485
Haladay has 3.22/477
Webb 3.13/555 would be my choice to start a game like this.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Peavy plays at Petco
Halladay is at a fairly neutal park. Oswalt and Webb are in offensive parks
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 22, 2009 8:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Peavy still has the most strikeouts out of the group...
In recent seasons. I still stick with Webb as my choice, although he would benefit from a better defensive unit. Webb is usually sharper earlier in the season too.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
that was a horrible play from Wright.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 7:07 PM MDT reply actions
This Japanese team is full of a...
bunch of punching Judy’s. And Team USA is defensively inept.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Adam Dunn in right is not a good thing.
He should DH in the AL for a reason.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
this is worst combination of 3 announcers in history.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions
I wouldn't know
I’m doing HW and listening on ESPN radio.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Is George Frazier on your feed?
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Both Catchers
are decent
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
That was meant for Charlie77 below
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
McCann is ok, not much on his arm...
CDI is playing the same defensive position as J-roll right now.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
The only defense USA has:
Granderson in CF
Wright at 3B
J-roll on the bench
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Roberts at 2B
I don’t care how many seeing eye grounders rolled under his glove, he’s a great defensive 2B
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 7:52 PM MDT up reply actions
Team USA ERA is over 6.00
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
The pitching coach makes the pitching change?
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Oswalt should have been taken out at 4-2.
Stupid Davey Johnson.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 7:31 PM MDT reply actions
Now its time for Dunn to make up for his defensive ineptness
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
NOPE
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
J-Roll could play a better RF than Dunn...
So could Iannetta for that matter.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
uh no
iannetta needs not be put in RF
DH’d maybe but not in RF
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 7:53 PM MDT up reply actions
I would wager his UZR in RF over Dunn..
would still be +3,000,000
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
that strike call to Wright was godawful.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 7:45 PM MDT reply actions
Ok I'm going to trivia. I am angry tonight.
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
Down to our last 3 outs now.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
allright Team USA.
Lets go!
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:17 PM MDT reply actions
I'm so glad that Jeter kept whining his way into playing time
/not really, incredibly pissed about it.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:22 PM MDT reply actions
Rollins with a triple!
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:24 PM MDT reply actions
Take Trip(le) to third J-roll!!!
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Davey Johnson is just trying to get everyone ST time in
and not actually win this. And it is infuriating.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:30 PM MDT up reply actions
What happened to Youkilis?
I haven’t read the story yet.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
he sprained his ankle or something.
and was taken off the roster. Longoria was in his place
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:35 PM MDT up reply actions
3B .
It would still be a better idea that Dunn playing there.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:36 PM MDT up reply actions
That was worse than Wright's swing
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
that swing was horrendous.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:33 PM MDT reply actions
jesus, shut up Steve Phillips
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:38 PM MDT reply actions
Nice AB by McCann...
6 foul balls
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Yess!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Triple!!!!!!!!
2 runs scored!!!!!!
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
2 FB down the middle
Make that 3
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Missed opportunity
Longoria could have made it 6-5 with a sac fly
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
I really would have liked to see CDI pinch hit there
Instead of Longoria’s first at bat of the whole tournament . . . WTF
this is longoria's first game
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:56 PM MDT up reply actions
yeah, so why put him in such a tough position when CDI's been hitting well
by blooming rock on Mar 22, 2009 8:58 PM MDT up reply actions
Davey Johnson is a fool
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 8:59 PM MDT up reply actions
Too early to burn a catcher.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Umm, no
Bottom of the eighth, down two in an elimination game. IMO, that’s not too early to use your back-up catcher.
by blooming rock on Mar 22, 2009 9:05 PM MDT up reply actions
your good OBP backup catcher.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions
And if Iannetta gets injured?
Do we throw Rollins in at Catcher?
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
DeRosa, he's played everywhere else
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Man on third, one out, you have to get that run in
I don’t care who’s hitting
So far this Spring...
Longoria is hitting .346 with an OBP of .438 he was a good choice for the sac fly attempt.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
Rollins for SS
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
As Barack Obama would say:
“It’s time for Change.”
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
but he's the CAPTAIN
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Thanks alot for starting Jeter at SS and Rollins at DH, Davey, you bum.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:05 PM MDT reply actions
At least we
have the top of the order coming up.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
I hope there's still a comeback in the Team USA boys, but if there's not:
Davey Johnson lost this game:
1.) Starting Jeter at SS instead of Rollins
2.) Leaving Oswalt in for too long
3.) Pinch hitting Longoria instead of CDI
Any one of those three things might have been too much to overcome, but all three? Come on!
strap Johnson to rocket a fire him into the sun.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:09 PM MDT up reply actions
I've always wanted
to see a Rocket launched into the ocean.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
the Jeter thing is the worst one
It just makes no sense whatsoever, Rollins is twice the fielder
I like Jeter, he's a stand up guy and a great leader
but he’s not and never has been a great player.
by blooming rock on Mar 22, 2009 9:15 PM MDT up reply actions
2 Runs this inning is too much to overcome
Pitching looks juvenile at this point.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
2 runs was too much
adding 3 this inning kills us.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
can also add why he was pinch hitting for Granderson in the first place?
last i saw he hit 22 bombs last year…then you can bring Victorino in for Dunn in RF
This is annoying me
I come back and they start scoring again. Later fellows I have HW.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
Dunn is embarressing in the field
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
What was Dunn thinking?
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
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Dunn's useless in the field . . .
and at the plaste if he isn’t hitting HR’s or walking.
by blooming rock on Mar 22, 2009 9:12 PM MDT up reply actions
That epitomizes the embarrassment of this game
Or well, a lot of things do. Did he think it was a walk-off hit? No, that makes no sense, but that’s the only reason sans injury a guy would stop chasing a ball in the gap.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 22, 2009 9:13 PM MDT up reply actions
I hope he's not considering this game as a tryout..
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
He's not
The Nats signed him
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Japan certainly looks like the more disciplined, fundamental team
they deserve to win this game more than we do, which is painful for me to say.
It could be worse..
The first recorded game between an American and Japanese team ended in Japan winning 29-4 in 1896.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
It's almost as if Rollins should be the starting SS.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:20 PM MDT reply actions
Can we pass the torch from Jeter to Rollins?
Whose team has won the World Series more recently?
Who is a better fielder?
Who is the better hitter?
I hope that Tulo earns the spot in the next WBC though, as a Rockies fan.
by blooming rock on Mar 22, 2009 9:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Define "better hitter"
I’d take Jeter in the 2 hole before Rollins any day of the week and twice on sunday. Rollins in like the 6? sure thing.
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 9:40 PM MDT up reply actions
Dunn as the last batter is just too ironic.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
So it ends.
You done good, Iannetta.
Let’s tear the NL a new one this year, ladies and gentlemen.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:24 PM MDT reply actions
Ball game over.
Time for Dreamy to come back home.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
I don't care
He deserves a standing o at the opening home game.
Dex knows.....
by The Lodo Magic Man on Mar 22, 2009 9:26 PM MDT up reply actions
YES HE DOES
I will be there to give it to him.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
too bad nobody else will understand it
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 9:29 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd rather
have fans show up with “DREAMY” signs.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
FYI
MLB network is replaying the Rockies game from earlier today at 11 PM Pacific time.
"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa
DVRed it earlier.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
DOOM
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 9:33 PM MDT up reply actions
DREAMY
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
sissy
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions
Damn straight!
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Discipline
or Destructobeam
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 22, 2009 9:36 PM MDT up reply actions
Sad the USA decided to fold the day I got back from Tucson
I would have loved to see CDI
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 22, 2009 9:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm seriously debating writing a letter to Paul Seiler
basically saying that I can’t believe how poorly team USA was handled. We should’ve dominated this thing.
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum
It's one thing to lose in a sport that is the nation's "past-time"
but to go down in a mis-managed lackadaisical mess is a really sour note to swallow.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 22, 2009 9:42 PM MDT reply actions
They treat it like a spring training game
whereas for Japan the game actually meant something. Awful managing done just to work everybody in. Until the WBC gets taken more seriously by everyone involved, the US won’t win.
by Brendan Scolari on Mar 23, 2009 12:23 PM MDT reply actions
The key is Everyone
The managers and coaches need to want to win for their country and so do the players. The players that are asked to play are the asked because they are the best and the teams can win with them. These players should take pride and play for their country, not the I want to be with my teammates for the spring route. They can do that for the other 6 months and 162+ games.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
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