I like lists, so I thought I would put forth one with just american league players that could have played.
As for Buck, seems lke a cool guy, but not a stragetist like Showalter or some others, maybe LaRussa.
MLB wanted The Show and they didn't get a curtain call.
Al East
Mussina, Sheffield, Halladay, Burnett, Glaus, Crawford.
Central
Konerko, Buerhle, Garland, Westbrook, Sizemore, Hafner, Mike Sweeney, Mauer, Radke
West
Reed, G.Anderson, Millwood.
I probably left out a few.
I'm not suggesting these guys are any better than who was there, but some may have played harder and smarter.
How about NL?
Or is it moot because we're out of it?
I haven't researched the figures on ballplayers, but would find it hard to believe (given the relative sizes of the countries --- we're more than twice the size of Japan, and like 30 times the size of the DR) that we didn't have at least the same size pool of native ballplayers to choose from as the other countries.
Winter ball might make a difference, though apparently not to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Pananma. Given the climate of Korea and Japan, I'm not seeing much of a chance for winter ball.
As I said, we didn't put together a well-balanced team --- too much emphasis on Long Ball Names, as if visions of stomping the world with multiple hr innings were dancing in MLB's head. Don't really understand that, as there are scouts in the opposing countries, and much was made earlier of the US and their (un)shared scouting reports.
Maybe it's related o a recent thread here: "those guys are little = they can't play"!
RHP's son and my son each hold dual nationality, and have had the wonderful experience of playing for their country on the UK National team. Playing with your country's name on your chest adds an intensifying dimension, and I don't think our Team USA boys figured that out too quickly.
Winter ball might make a difference, though apparently not to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Pananma. Given the climate of Korea and Japan, I'm not seeing much of a chance for winter ball.
As I said, we didn't put together a well-balanced team --- too much emphasis on Long Ball Names, as if visions of stomping the world with multiple hr innings were dancing in MLB's head. Don't really understand that, as there are scouts in the opposing countries, and much was made earlier of the US and their (un)shared scouting reports.
Maybe it's related o a recent thread here: "those guys are little = they can't play"!
RHP's son and my son each hold dual nationality, and have had the wonderful experience of playing for their country on the UK National team. Playing with your country's name on your chest adds an intensifying dimension, and I don't think our Team USA boys figured that out too quickly.
Chairman
It wasnt when they began --they were in the first week of spring training-
It wasnt when they began --they were in the first week of spring training-
quote:Originally posted by baseballbum:
Mexico proved that you do not have to swing for the fences to win games. Korea is one of the most well disciplined teams out there. It is a reality check for USA Baseball and I didnt see alot of pride from our americans. They needed much more emotion that they showed. But then again when you have a 250 million dollar contract and you have everything in the world how much emotion will you show????
I agree with this. Yes, the US lineup had a lot of talent. BUT, they were all power hitters. Where were the sparkplugs we needed like Eckstein, Figgins, etc? I don't know how many innings I saw where the leadoff guy would get on and remain standing at first for the next three outs. Hopefully in 2009 there will be some changes and we will actually put together a "team" that will steal, move runners around, and apply pressure to a defense.
Just my .02
quote:too much emphasis on Long Ball Names, as if visions of stomping the world with multiple hr innings were dancing in MLB's head.
I remember how Bush The Younger's plan of "Shock and Awe" never quite panned out, either.
by TR:
maybe some couldn't hitch a ride to Cal
.
huh? they issued the invites last fall not Feb 1, anyone who wanted to had ample time to prepquote:It wasnt when they began --they were in the first week of spring training-
maybe some couldn't hitch a ride to Cal
.
BEE
Glad to hear your sarcasm once again--I sort of missed it
Did they start in california?
Glad to hear your sarcasm once again--I sort of missed it
Did they start in california?
that's the nicest thing anyone said to me all day 
.
.
Bottom line is that with the team that the USA had, regardless of its' lack of speed, too many power hitters, etc.; if they didn't win the whole darned thing, they didn't deserve it. There is no sense at all in wondering what the USA would have done if Bonds or any of the others who begged off had played. If we can't win with this group, its time to go home (or back to spring training).
Nobody in their right mind would find too much fault with this team a month ago. Then, we can't score any runs and some of the pitching doesn't hold up (not the Rocket though, nice to see him one more time!) and we're out of it. I think its interesting that some of the players who haven't been big household names, like Lee and Winn, put together good tournaments while some of the biggest names didn't contribute.
Nobody in their right mind would find too much fault with this team a month ago. Then, we can't score any runs and some of the pitching doesn't hold up (not the Rocket though, nice to see him one more time!) and we're out of it. I think its interesting that some of the players who haven't been big household names, like Lee and Winn, put together good tournaments while some of the biggest names didn't contribute.
The US didn't Win, NO Excuses please.
It's baseball, You Play the Game.
Whatever happens, happens.
The added pressure of representing your country is real.
TRhit,
Obviously the US players did not think it Important enough to be in Shape before they took the Field????
Thats just another Excuse.
And I don't Buy IT.
We had this discussion before the WBC started.
I said then that the US needs to be ready for the Differant style's that will be thrown at them.
The Other Country's play the Game the way it was INVENTED.
Small ball win's game's.
It's more exciting to watch.
And I hope that the Parents sit there kids down in front of the TV for the next couple of game's to show them how real Baseball should be Played.
You will all get a lesson if you all watch yourself to. The EH
It's baseball, You Play the Game.
Whatever happens, happens.
The added pressure of representing your country is real.
TRhit,
Obviously the US players did not think it Important enough to be in Shape before they took the Field????
Thats just another Excuse.
And I don't Buy IT.
We had this discussion before the WBC started.
I said then that the US needs to be ready for the Differant style's that will be thrown at them.
The Other Country's play the Game the way it was INVENTED.
Small ball win's game's.
It's more exciting to watch.
And I hope that the Parents sit there kids down in front of the TV for the next couple of game's to show them how real Baseball should be Played.
You will all get a lesson if you all watch yourself to. The EH
quote:The Other Country's play the Game the way it was INVENTED.
Exactly!! Let's start a list of great teams who played the game as it was intended. It's much easier to look back and find them than at the present, I'll tell you that!
Here's one: The 'Gas House Gang' out of St Louis.
Your turn!!
the EH, way to make a great point!
U.S. baseball has undoubtedly sacrificed excecution (small ball) for power, and perhaps the WBC is a wake-up call.
But really, let's stop the dang excuses. This forum has stated it all: Not in shape, not prepared "emotionally" (whatever that means), not knowing much about the rest of the world, not a real but allstar team, too rich and complacent, mainstream guys sat out, too many guys worried about the drug-testing..yikes..WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Look, we got beat, but there's no crying in baseball!
I've lived in Japan, been to Korea six times, and yup, they put their shoes on the same way we do.
Instead of excuses, let's find a fix for next time around. (Can anyone say "Lou Pinella"?)
U.S. baseball has undoubtedly sacrificed excecution (small ball) for power, and perhaps the WBC is a wake-up call.
But really, let's stop the dang excuses. This forum has stated it all: Not in shape, not prepared "emotionally" (whatever that means), not knowing much about the rest of the world, not a real but allstar team, too rich and complacent, mainstream guys sat out, too many guys worried about the drug-testing..yikes..WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Look, we got beat, but there's no crying in baseball!
I've lived in Japan, been to Korea six times, and yup, they put their shoes on the same way we do.
Instead of excuses, let's find a fix for next time around. (Can anyone say "Lou Pinella"?)
Damon has been one of the best, if not the best, lead-off hitters the last two years or longer. I don't think they could have done much better in terms of a guy to get things started. Jeter as a number 2? I hate the Yankees but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have in that spot. Getting things started shouldn't have been a problem. But it was, and chances are that would have been the case regardless of who you put in the 1 and 2 spots.
Hey guys and gals
The USA team roster was not settled until a very late date---what did they havetogether as a team ? two or three days of practice?---they also have a job playing for the teams they are under contract to that has them on the field from February to October each year with just three months off to heal their wounds and playing MLB is their livlihood.I think many on this years roster were playing not to get hurt and even then a few did.
Not making an excuse but merely stating fact as I see it.
Perhaps the other countries have caught up with us on the field--when was the last time we beat Cuba in a series ?--now the other countries are catching up to CUBA and you know darn well CUBA sent their best--they always do
Bottom line the USA did not play well enough to win--hey the NY YAnkees were purported to be the best team in baseball the past two years but they have not won the title either--
THAT IS WHAT MAKES BASEBALL THE GAME IT IS-- The team that may not be the best in talent but plays the best as a team can win any given game or series.
I say lets get on with the baseball season at all levels--WCB is over this year for the USA
The USA team roster was not settled until a very late date---what did they havetogether as a team ? two or three days of practice?---they also have a job playing for the teams they are under contract to that has them on the field from February to October each year with just three months off to heal their wounds and playing MLB is their livlihood.I think many on this years roster were playing not to get hurt and even then a few did.
Not making an excuse but merely stating fact as I see it.
Perhaps the other countries have caught up with us on the field--when was the last time we beat Cuba in a series ?--now the other countries are catching up to CUBA and you know darn well CUBA sent their best--they always do
Bottom line the USA did not play well enough to win--hey the NY YAnkees were purported to be the best team in baseball the past two years but they have not won the title either--
THAT IS WHAT MAKES BASEBALL THE GAME IT IS-- The team that may not be the best in talent but plays the best as a team can win any given game or series.
I say lets get on with the baseball season at all levels--WCB is over this year for the USA
Guess I don’t understand how the game was invented. Did they invent small ball or long ball or both? Wasn’t the home run part of the original invention? There are many ways to win a game. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig must have ignored the way the game was invented.
So far the best team in the tournament has been Korea. Everyone is talking about small ball, but the main reason they are unbeaten is because they have the guy who has hit the most home runs and their pitching has been outstanding. Dominican Republic have the guy who has hit the 2nd most Home Runs and they also have a guy tied for third most HRs.
All these teams except Cuba have MLB players. Cuba has a player who Major League clubs would pay a fortune for. Some rosters have had lots of MLB players.
Also, what has received very little talk is Korea had one of its pitchers banned this week because of Steroids!
To me the one thing that does separate Japan, Korea and Cuba from the rest is “work ethic”. It’s not that USA players don’t work hard, it’s just these other countries spend much more time practicing the entire game. The entire game! Long ball and small ball, pitching, fielding, running, the entire game! If people want to argue the above point, I suggest researching before hand.
And I do believe the passion and intensity for winning this tournament is much higher in Japan, Korea and Cuba. Dominican Republic also, even though there nearly all MLB players.
Truth is there’s a fine line between American Major Leaguers and many minor league players. Very often the differences are something other than pure ability. Same goes for international baseball. Desire is a hard thing to beat!
I heard Korean players would be exempt from mandatory service in the Army if they made the finals. Sure would have been interesting if the USA players had to give three or four years to the armed forces if they didn’t make the finals.
People can say what they want… no matter how important USA players made this tournament seem… there is a different level of importance placed on the teams in the WBC. (USA players return to Spring Training to get ready for the most important season) vrs (Many of the Korean players entering the Korean Army)… Two completely different things!
Finally before thinking too lowly about USA baseball. Remember these are supposed to be some of the very best players from each country. USA could field many teams that would be close to equal to the team they fielded. If you put together the best 50-60 teams in the world, I would guess most of them would be USA teams. We already know the very best talent can come from anywhere (Suzuki, Martinez, Walker, etc.) But the majority still come from the United States.
Someone said more than half of all the Major Leaguers are Latin. This is not true!
So far the best team in the tournament has been Korea. Everyone is talking about small ball, but the main reason they are unbeaten is because they have the guy who has hit the most home runs and their pitching has been outstanding. Dominican Republic have the guy who has hit the 2nd most Home Runs and they also have a guy tied for third most HRs.
All these teams except Cuba have MLB players. Cuba has a player who Major League clubs would pay a fortune for. Some rosters have had lots of MLB players.
Also, what has received very little talk is Korea had one of its pitchers banned this week because of Steroids!
To me the one thing that does separate Japan, Korea and Cuba from the rest is “work ethic”. It’s not that USA players don’t work hard, it’s just these other countries spend much more time practicing the entire game. The entire game! Long ball and small ball, pitching, fielding, running, the entire game! If people want to argue the above point, I suggest researching before hand.
And I do believe the passion and intensity for winning this tournament is much higher in Japan, Korea and Cuba. Dominican Republic also, even though there nearly all MLB players.
Truth is there’s a fine line between American Major Leaguers and many minor league players. Very often the differences are something other than pure ability. Same goes for international baseball. Desire is a hard thing to beat!
I heard Korean players would be exempt from mandatory service in the Army if they made the finals. Sure would have been interesting if the USA players had to give three or four years to the armed forces if they didn’t make the finals.
People can say what they want… no matter how important USA players made this tournament seem… there is a different level of importance placed on the teams in the WBC. (USA players return to Spring Training to get ready for the most important season) vrs (Many of the Korean players entering the Korean Army)… Two completely different things!
Finally before thinking too lowly about USA baseball. Remember these are supposed to be some of the very best players from each country. USA could field many teams that would be close to equal to the team they fielded. If you put together the best 50-60 teams in the world, I would guess most of them would be USA teams. We already know the very best talent can come from anywhere (Suzuki, Martinez, Walker, etc.) But the majority still come from the United States.
Someone said more than half of all the Major Leaguers are Latin. This is not true!
Difference between the US and other countries in this tournament:
Other countries: Want to play for the team because of national pride;
USA: Big money fat cats want their "days off" in spring training. Simple as: They didn't want to play for the US team.
Shame on the millionaires that didn't play when asked to play.
Watch the Lithuanians in basketball this next Olympics...A country of 3 million will likely "dazzle" the 300 plus millions of American. Why? Because they want to play for their country.
Other countries: Want to play for the team because of national pride;
USA: Big money fat cats want their "days off" in spring training. Simple as: They didn't want to play for the US team.
Shame on the millionaires that didn't play when asked to play.
Watch the Lithuanians in basketball this next Olympics...A country of 3 million will likely "dazzle" the 300 plus millions of American. Why? Because they want to play for their country.
2004 Stat
227 foreign-born men opened the 2004 season on major league rosters.
That is 27.3% of available roster spots.
This figure is likely to increase since at the same time 47.6% of minor leaguers were born outside the US.
For some unknown reason the stats for 2005 have become unavaiable.
2006 will again see the number increase.
227 foreign-born men opened the 2004 season on major league rosters.
That is 27.3% of available roster spots.
This figure is likely to increase since at the same time 47.6% of minor leaguers were born outside the US.
For some unknown reason the stats for 2005 have become unavaiable.
2006 will again see the number increase.
PG, interestingly enough, when the game first started a ball hit over the fence was only a ground-rule double. To get a HR, you had to do what is now called an in-the-park HR.
PG: Maybe Invented was a little off.
Lets just say that HR's are mistakes by Pitchers.
I would like to find out what happens to a player from those three maybe four TEAMS that you mentioned who doesn't run out a pop up fly.
Great game on Cuba vs DR.
Lets just say that HR's are mistakes by Pitchers.
I would like to find out what happens to a player from those three maybe four TEAMS that you mentioned who doesn't run out a pop up fly.
Great game on Cuba vs DR.
Cuba, Bases loaded, 1 out, 1&1, Just Foul,1&2, F8 sacrifice, Run scores from Third.
Little ball??
Little ball??
Since the US is out of it I am rooting HARD for CUBA!!!
I don't know if I would go that Far.
But I like there style of Play.
But I like there style of Play.
See Moses Aluo, should have been on Second, He did not run out the pop to center field.
Complacency.
Complacency.