World Baseball Classic

The weather the last few days has been unseasonably warm (YAY!) and with that comes thoughts of Spring -- and baseball.

I spent the day shredding old bills and watching one game after another in the World Baseball Classic. I missed most of the first round last week (I guess it's for the best that I didn't see Panama get owned), but the level of gameplay I saw today was pretty good. Cuba vs. Venezuela lacked intensity, but the relief pitcher, Lazo, was really good. He came in with the bases loaded and no one out and shut Venezuela down. How long before he defects? A lot of clubs would want him.

Next, I watched the U.S. vs Japan. That was good until the U.S. stole the game. Shameful! The score was tied 3-3 in the eighth inning and Japan had a man on third. A fly ball was hit deep and the Japanese player tagged up and scored easily from third. Then the manager for the U.S. complained to the umps and said that the guy had left the bag early -- and they overturned the call! The U.S. went on to score in the bottom of the 9th and "won" the game. CHEATERS!

Right now I'm watching Puerto Rico vs. the Dominican Republic. The crowd is pumped up because Puerto Ricans and Dominicans have a "rivalry" (i.e. they don't like each other). I thought the Dominicans would be running away with this game already, but so far Puerto Rico is ahead, 4-1.

So, the WBC seems pretty good so far. Of course, the minute a major leaguer gets hurt, there will be problems.