World Baseball Classic 2009

[JohnBM01]

For the first time on GTPlanet, I'm coming up with this thread on the World Baseball Classic. The defending champions are Japan, having won the 2006 tournament. The tournament will be held every four years after this game (next WBC will be in 2013). Show some international pride for these baseball stars here in America and around the world!

 

[Prosthetic]

I don't pay attention to none MLB much... But I'm going to go ahead and root for my home town USA!!

 

[JohnBM01]

I think this year's tournament will be in Los Angeles. So I'm sure Dodger Stadium will host the winning teams.

 

[Prosthetic]

What a terrible place to host

 

[C-ZETA]

I think this year's tournament will be in Los Angeles. So I'm sure Dodger Stadium will host the winning teams.

Yeah, my guess is Dodger Stadium for the finale...even though I'm an Angels fan!

Expecting big things from the two European teams. After all, I'm seemingly the only fan of these American sports on this forum in England, and possibly the whole of the UK.

 

[Prosthetic]

No way your not! Theirs a ton of Brits on the MLB forums. The Giants tend to get the Aussie fans.

 

[JohnBM01]

All I know is that America, Japan, and the Dominican Republic are total favorites. I don't know too many good baseball countries other than these three. So it's hard for me to pick any favorites to win besides the three I mentioned.

 

[Prosthetic]

Johnathan Sanchez (Giants starting pitcher) will be pitching for the Puerto Rico. I may actually root for them...

 

[C-ZETA]

All I know is that America, Japan, and the Dominican Republic are total favorites. I don't know too many good baseball countries other than these three. So it's hard for me to pick any favorites to win besides the three I mentioned.

What, you don't even fancy Mexico? I thought they would be among one of the favorites. Puerto Rico, as well.

 

[TS]

The US, Japan, Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico have the most MLB players on their rosters, and I think they'll be favored.

 

[JohnBM01]

I didn't know of Mexico having great talent in baseball. My Astros have Venezuelan Wandy Rodriguez, who is a very good pitcher for my Astros. You have to be silly not to include any Caribbean teams in this.

I guess if there were some other teams to look out for, I've heard of good baseball from Taiwan or Korea. I just don't know about international baseball to know who's good and who isn't. Like in basketball, you look to Lithuania, Spain, Argentina, and places like that. I don't know international baseball that much outside of the Caribbean teams, the United States, and Japan.

 

[JohnBM01]

I tell no lies. It's 3:39 AM CST... and the first match of the World Baseball Classic will begin. The matchup set to start is China at Japan, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

Good luck to all teams competing in the World Baseball Classic!

 

[Prosthetic]

I wish I could watch it!

 

[TS]

I wish I could watch it!

It was on ESPN2 this morning at like 2 am pacific.

Spoiler

Japan beat China, 4-0

 

[Prosthetic]

2 am!!! Pfft... Anyways I had school.

 

[MTC]

They didn’t repeat it at a more convenient time in the US? I watched it live (from 9:30am UK time), but it was repeated in full in the evening too.

 

[Omnis]

The US, Japan, Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico have the most MLB players on their rosters, and I think they'll be favored.

Venezuela and Cuba have some ballers too.

 

[RacingGameFan22]

Korea and Taiw-ahem, I mean Chinese Taipei is on right now. last I checked, It's 9-0 Korea going into the top of the 7th.

 

[Omnis]

Korea and Taiw-ahem, I mean Chinese Taipei is on right now. last I checked, It's 9-0 Korea going into the top of the 7th.

Wow, the RoC is getting stomped. When did the Koreans get good at baseball? I know we had Byung-hyun kim in the MLB for a while, but he's like the only guy I know of.

edit: LOL, this guy playing for China just made the ugliest swing I've ever seen, and he got a double! These announcers won't shut up about Ichiro though.

 

[RacingGameFan22]

When did the Koreans get good at baseball? I know we had Byung-hyun kim in the MLB for a while, but he's like the only guy I know of.

Since they won Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, that's when!

BHK isn't on the team, though. I heard the announcers say that only six players returned from the team from the previous WBC. in fact this is basically the same team that won gold in Beijing, plus a MLB player, of course (I forget his name, but I know he starts at shortstop for the Cleveland Indians).

 

[Omnis]

Koreans are good at everything lately. Kendo (and bogu), baseball, soccer, cars, you name it.

 

[Prosthetic]

Pffft.. the US just needs Lincecum!! jk jk He wanted to save his arm... But he does start today..

 

[RacingGameFan22]

I've been watching Republica Dominicana and Nederland, and-are you ready for this-Nederland is leading 3-0 in the second!!! apparently, Nederland scored 3 runs (2 unearned) in the top of the first on a wild pitch and an error.

I smell upset!

 

[Prosthetic]

The Netherlands 2nd baseman is a Giants prospect... Wooo go Netherlands.

 

[TopHat]

Did anyone just see that? That kid is ridiculous.

 

[TS]

Team USA just hung on to beat Canada (in Toronto) 6-5, they left the bases loaded in the 7th and 8th innings with 2 or less outs and failed to score both times.

 

[RacingGameFan22]

Team USA just hung on to beat Canada (in Toronto) 6-5, they left the bases loaded in the 7th and 8th innings with 2 or less outs and failed to score both times.

HA!

this from a team that got beat by the very same team last year?

HA!

This U.S. team is a joke. They should have started J-Roll at SS instead of that Serial Dat-oops, I mean, Superstar Jeter.

 

[Prosthetic]

HA!

this from a team that got beat by the very same team last year?

HA!

This U.S. team is a joke. They should have started J-Roll at SS instead of that Serial Dat-oops, I mean, Superstar Jeter.

2006 not last year.

Jeter and J-Roll are trading off starts... Personally they are both over hyped. At least Jeter doesn't do dances after every hit... Rollins goes overboard.

 

[Omnis]

Man, the Koreans got curb-stomped by the Japanese. Mercy ruled.

Unfortunately, I think that's the last game they're gonna play at the Tokyo Dome. Japanese baseball crowds are so awesome. It makes the game so much better, imo.

 

[Prosthetic]

Man, the Koreans got curb-stomped by the Japanese. Mercy ruled.

Unfortunately, I think that's the last game they're gonna play at the Tokyo Dome. Japanese baseball crowds are so awesome. It makes the game so much better, imo.

I agree. I remember watching when the A's went over there right before the 2008 season. The A's team did a show on their journey over there and it was pretty awesome. The team did a joke on one of the players that they traded them to a Japanese team