What a finish! 
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Really unbelievable that he hit that pitch. When he started swinging I was thinking, "Oh no, that's ball 3!"
But he had better ideas!
But he had better ideas!
That was way cool 
How awesome was it to watch these guys celebrate like they won the World Series? It gave me goose bumps to see that much passion over winning a game in the WBC while wearing USA on their cheast.
Go USA! We really need to pull it off. I really like how all the players gel.
I still think U.S. could be so much better. Does anyone else feel like American players tend to put ML baseball way before the WBC. I feel like other countries take it much more seriously, ALTHOUGH, the great players playing for US are playing to win, every pitch, every swing.
I like what I see.
I still think U.S. could be so much better. Does anyone else feel like American players tend to put ML baseball way before the WBC. I feel like other countries take it much more seriously, ALTHOUGH, the great players playing for US are playing to win, every pitch, every swing.
I like what I see.
This is all well and good but what about the many players returning with injuries to their teams in the bigs ?
The WBC either needs to be scrapped or let amateurs compete in it.
The MLB players should be getting ready in spring training. Not this waste of time of an exhibition series.
The MLB players should be getting ready in spring training. Not this waste of time of an exhibition series.
OMG! Did you see the celebration? You're telling me that those guys think this is a waste of time? It's a competition! These are some of the most competetive players in our country and it's GREAT baseball! I'm ashamed that these games aren't sold out!!! This is supposed to be "AMERICA'S GAME"!!! How about a little support from the home folks?
Thank you lodi!!! I'm so glad I logged on. I love the WBC - we went to a game in 06 and it was one of our best family baseball experiences ever. I went to bed last night at 11:00 when the score was 5-3, disappointed the we don't get ESPN Deportes.
I'm with you powertoallfields. Love it! YAAAAY!! Go USA!
I'm with you powertoallfields. Love it! YAAAAY!! Go USA!
What a great followup story about the USA team doing the right thing:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne...&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
A portion of the article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne...&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
A portion of the article:
quote:
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The flag traveled around the world and through the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sgt. Felix Perez brought it from home as a reminder and an amulet. The flag never left his Army backpack.
It accompanied Perez to Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday night. He needed some luck for his team, the United States, in its must-win World Baseball Classic game against Puerto Rico. Perez wore a Team USA hat and a Team USA hoodie, and his little sister, Jessica, draped his flag across her shoulders. The United States’ 6-5 come-from-behind victory in the ninth inning sent them into a frenzy. She danced around. He sat in his motorized wheelchair and roared.
On the way out, the 27-year-old Perez placed the flag in his lap and leaned over to a security guard manning Gate G. He was hoping some players from Team USA might sign it. The security guard led Perez and his sister to the U.S. clubhouse, and the flag went inside.
“The next thing I know,” Perez said, “I’m getting called to come back in there.”
And so began the coolest 30 minutes of Felix Perez’s life. On an evening when he felt especially proud to be an American – when a group of his sporting heroes wearing his country’s name across their chests banded together to win a game they had no business winning – Perez found himself surrounded by them, doused with celebratory Miller Lites, with the American flag that was with him during the worst moment of his life passed around the room and signed by every player on the team.
“Everybody,” Perez said.Then they handed him a ball filled with signatures.
“Everybody,” Perez said.
The half-hour went too fast. Jimmy Rollins, who scored the winning run, wanted to chat more. David Wright, who drove it in, couldn’t hear enough about how the New York Mets are Perez’s favorite team. Almost half the team surrounded Perez for a photograph, the flag draped around his torso, a smile on every face, and none brighter than his.
“I’m just happy to see him happy,” Jessica said.
quote:Originally posted by zombywoof:
The WBC either needs to be scrapped or let amateurs compete in it.
The MLB players should be getting ready in spring training. Not this waste of time of an exhibition series.
I couldnt disagree wth you more...How can we honestly call our pro championship series the "World Series" if we didnt play in the WBC....
Iwish there was a better time of year to hold, it but it is what it is....
if that story doesn't give you chills.......... i don't know what will.
quote:Originally posted by 20dad:
if that story doesn't give you chills.......... i don't know what will.
Copy that!
Great find, 08Dad.
08Dad,thank you for posting that story.
quote:I couldnt disagree wth you more...How can we honestly call our pro championship series the "World Series" if we didnt play in the WBC....
Iwish there was a better time of year to hold, it but it is what it is....
The World Series has been around over a hundred years. There's making no mistake what the world series is. It never took a WBC to justify it.
There's nothing wrong with the the WBC and the concept of it but it's stupid to have major leaguers going full tilt in March when they're supposed to be conditioning.
Let amateurs play the WBC. Or even minor leaguers that don't start Independent League play until May or some other minor league system that starts later than the MLB. They don't play 162 games plus playoffs. I'm sure there are feel good stories that can come out of this international tournament. series if amateurs or minor leaguers play in it.
There's no way I see any need for major league ballplayers wasting their time in this thing. Bernie Williams is playing on a team and he's washed up as a ballplayer who probably couldn't even get a minor league contract.
quote:There's no way I see any need for major league ballplayers wasting their time in this thing. Bernie Williams is playing on a team and he's washed up as a ballplayer who probably couldn't even get a minor league contract.
We certainly dont have to agree on this point...yet after watching the major league ballplayers celebrate last nights come from behind win over PR, it is clear they dont consider it wasting their time....
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
When he started swinging I was thinking, "Oh no, that's ball 3!"
I thought the same thing. This is the only time that I will ever root for David Wright.
<- Marlins fan
quote:This is the only time that I will ever root for David Wright.
Ha! Yeah, as a long-time Braves fan I hate the Mets! But today I love David Wright!
quote:it is clear they dont consider it wasting their time....
Back in 06, Chipper said the experience was even better than the World Series.
These guys aren't robots, they are human beings! Playing for their country once every few years is great for them, great for the game.
“I never thought that we’d be dog piling in March,” Wright said.
“That was the greatest game I’ve ever been a part of,” catcher Brian McCann said. “Ever.”
And there you go.
Youkilis is now out with a sprained ankle---are the RedSox happy?----now he and Pedroia are out
Millionaire players doing this---I don't think MLB owners are too happy
Millionaire players doing this---I don't think MLB owners are too happy
quote:I don't think MLB owners are too happy
Who cares what they think.
These players are representing there Country.
And that trumps anything the owners have to say.
It should be a bigger honor and privilege to put that USA on your chest then any pro team they will ever play on, Period.
EH
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Youkilis is now out with a sprained ankle---are the RedSox happy?----now he and Pedroia are out
Millionaire players doing this---I don't think MLB owners are too happy
You got that right. Red Sox fans should be livid. However as a Yankee fan, I like the WBC for this fleeting moment.
You pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for tickets to watch MLB games that are relevant and your best players are on the DL playing in some pointless exhibition.Look..the concept of the WBC is fine. It's pointless to use major leaguers. Let college kids or minor leaguers who can use some national exposure play in it. They still represent their country if this series represents patriotism.
The WBC should be the true World Series and I predict that it will become just that. Why do you think the MLB agreed to participate in the WBC tournament. this is the forerunner of things to come.
But first these pilot projects trials must be completed for the MLB and World Leagues to assess the impact on Revnues, Gate, TV contract potential, venues, and potential worldwide growth of financial investment in league structure from LL to minor leagues to major leagues.
Is there enough out there to compete with the World Cup. We don't know that yet but this is the beginning of the development of world wide baseball. What level and to what extent it will eventuate into and what form it will take is still being worked on.
The traditionalist abhor this idea and want baseball to remain completely a US game and the World Series to be a nomenclature of US dominance not an oddity. I believe without the agreement from the MLBPA and the US Congress to rescind the monopoly that the MLB has on baseball in this country it will remain a dream of many but not a reality.
JMO
But first these pilot projects trials must be completed for the MLB and World Leagues to assess the impact on Revnues, Gate, TV contract potential, venues, and potential worldwide growth of financial investment in league structure from LL to minor leagues to major leagues.
Is there enough out there to compete with the World Cup. We don't know that yet but this is the beginning of the development of world wide baseball. What level and to what extent it will eventuate into and what form it will take is still being worked on.
The traditionalist abhor this idea and want baseball to remain completely a US game and the World Series to be a nomenclature of US dominance not an oddity. I believe without the agreement from the MLBPA and the US Congress to rescind the monopoly that the MLB has on baseball in this country it will remain a dream of many but not a reality.
JMO
I've been to 100's of baseball games, I'm 35 years old done a few things in my life. Being at that game last night with my 14 y/o son was one of the greatest moments I think I will ever have involving baseball. That you can't put a price on.
quote:Originally posted by theEH:
These players are representing there Country.
And that trumps anything the owners have to say.
It should be a bigger honor and privilege to put that USA on your chest then any pro team they will ever play on, Period.
That's what Sgt. Felix Perez fought and sacificed for.
quote:You pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for tickets to watch MLB games that are relevant and your best players are on the DL playing in some pointless exhibition.
Kinda like spring training games or pre season football. Both factions want shorter pre-seasons
These guys are top notch athletes doing what they love, playing baseball, evident by their desire to win and the celebration that followed. Reminded me of a LL world series game they looked like a bunch of kids, you can't fake that.
Wish I was there to see it, USA
Everyone has an opinion. there is no right or wrong, however the American player made a selection to play.
He could have been injured in a Spring Training Game.
His agent agreed to his participation in the World Games. We have sent our 16-18 year old American players to our Goodwill series for 26 years.
From the Goodwill Series events, I counted 45 players from Japan, Korea, China, Australia and USA; who have played in the Goodwill Series [1983-2008].
International baseball is a different game and I believe that our alumni of 140 ML players will confirm this opinion.
You may e-mail me and I will discuss.
Bob Williams
<rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>
He could have been injured in a Spring Training Game.
His agent agreed to his participation in the World Games. We have sent our 16-18 year old American players to our Goodwill series for 26 years.
From the Goodwill Series events, I counted 45 players from Japan, Korea, China, Australia and USA; who have played in the Goodwill Series [1983-2008].
International baseball is a different game and I believe that our alumni of 140 ML players will confirm this opinion.
You may e-mail me and I will discuss.
Bob Williams
<rwilliams@goodwillseries.org>
We are loving the WBC in our house. We have enjoyed not only USA, we have also enjoyed others like the Nederlands team victories.
I love athletes playing for thier country. It just doesnt get better than that. So much heart.
I always tell my son to play with his head, his heart and his arm.
I see a lot of the WBC players doing exactly that.
Fun Fun Fun
I love athletes playing for thier country. It just doesnt get better than that. So much heart.
I always tell my son to play with his head, his heart and his arm.
I see a lot of the WBC players doing exactly that.
Fun Fun Fun
Now the Mets MVP David Wright may be down---fouled a pitch off his foot yesterday---this is totally ridiculous with all the studs going down
International competition should call for each nation to send their best athletes to compete.
Team owners in this nation should have some semblance of patriotism that would cause them to desire that their player be the star of the event. This would lead to more fan appreciation across the nation. (Good for TV revenue)
In theory, we send our heroes and mighty men and women to demonstrate the quality of our way of life and the steadfastness of our resolve as Americans to the cause or endeavor at hand.
Baseball has gained much from the American way of life and should have no qualms about paying back in this manner.
"Ask not, what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1961 Inaugural Address
Team owners in this nation should have some semblance of patriotism that would cause them to desire that their player be the star of the event. This would lead to more fan appreciation across the nation. (Good for TV revenue)
In theory, we send our heroes and mighty men and women to demonstrate the quality of our way of life and the steadfastness of our resolve as Americans to the cause or endeavor at hand.
Baseball has gained much from the American way of life and should have no qualms about paying back in this manner.
"Ask not, what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1961 Inaugural Address
I don't hear the Koreans or the Japanese complaining about there pro players being injured.
A player can hurt themselves at anytime or anyplace.
Whether you believe it or not.
This is bigger then all the baseball played in the world as we know it.
We always said ( the US ) when it came to international competition in baseball, that our best players are not playing in those games.
Well here's are chance the second time around to prove we have the best baseball players.
Put up, or shut up.
No excuses, Lets prove it.
EH
A player can hurt themselves at anytime or anyplace.
Whether you believe it or not.
This is bigger then all the baseball played in the world as we know it.
We always said ( the US ) when it came to international competition in baseball, that our best players are not playing in those games.
Well here's are chance the second time around to prove we have the best baseball players.
Put up, or shut up.
No excuses, Lets prove it.
EH
The injuries in the WBC are nothing compared to what happening in the camps.
If we want to play International baseball, then why was it removed from the Olympics?!?!?!
I think the WBC is Awesome. If a guy gets hurt playing baseball in March; well, let's see it's March and he's playing baseball... injuries happen. The only thing that could be greater than getting to be a big leaguer would be a big leaguer that gets invited to play for their country.
The problem is, they are not playing enough baseball. These guys are typically playing in games every other day and getting their other work in throughout everyday. This thing is dragged out too long.
Keep in mind that the USA players have not been playing---most of the other countries have
Made for TV Baseball 
Isn't MLB a global game already?
Isn't MLB a global game already?
Old Slugger:
In the next 5 years, MLB will select teams from Japan, Korea, Mexico and a team from Latin America to join the MLB.
The World Games are a test for this addition.
There are 250,000 Korean Americans and 276,000
Japan Americans living in Southern California.
With the the Spanish population this would increase the fan base for the Dodgers, Angels and Padres.
TV, attendance split will provide increase revenues.
Since 1983, we have seen this development involve
to the benefit of MLB and World Baseball.
Bob Williams
Goodwill Series
In the next 5 years, MLB will select teams from Japan, Korea, Mexico and a team from Latin America to join the MLB.
The World Games are a test for this addition.
There are 250,000 Korean Americans and 276,000
Japan Americans living in Southern California.
With the the Spanish population this would increase the fan base for the Dodgers, Angels and Padres.
TV, attendance split will provide increase revenues.
Since 1983, we have seen this development involve
to the benefit of MLB and World Baseball.
Bob Williams
Goodwill Series
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
In the next 5 years, MLB will select teams from Japan, Korea, Mexico and a team from Latin America to join the MLB.
Bob Williams
Goodwill Series
Will these expansion teams be allowed to draft American born players? If not, then one can conclude the draft would be abolished and the system would be 100% total free agency.
You can't have two sets of rules in MLB. These games are still made for TV only.
Why no baseball in the Olympics ?
We do the WBC, WHY/
Is this a substitute?
We do the WBC, WHY/
Is this a substitute?
I believe the WBC is a substitute for baseball in the Olympics --- that way it's an MLB-controlled 'world stage'. Baseball had just been an exhibition game in the Olympics until '92 when it became a medal sport.
I don't know if anyone really knows why baseball is out of the Olympics; pro-European sports/anti-USA bias by the IOC has been blamed, as well as the indefinite length of games for planning purposes, cost of specific facilities, the lack of cooperation by MLB to let their players play, and then there's the steroid issue (but whether that comes from the IOC or MLB/Players Union not wanting to be subjected to Olympic testing
)
Talk of additional nations' getting franchises has been around for years. Mexico makes sense, but Japan/Korea?! Certainly the talent is there, but they're really, really far away....
I don't know if anyone really knows why baseball is out of the Olympics; pro-European sports/anti-USA bias by the IOC has been blamed, as well as the indefinite length of games for planning purposes, cost of specific facilities, the lack of cooperation by MLB to let their players play, and then there's the steroid issue (but whether that comes from the IOC or MLB/Players Union not wanting to be subjected to Olympic testing
Talk of additional nations' getting franchises has been around for years. Mexico makes sense, but Japan/Korea?! Certainly the talent is there, but they're really, really far away....