Went to the Cuba/Dominican game Saturday afternoon at Petco. Thought the experience was great. The environment around the Park was so much different than that created by MLB for its games. Little doubt that the Latin, Japanese and Korean crowds bring a very different and enjoyable enthusiasm to baseball, in my view.
I don't think ESPN showed this but for the last 2-3 innings the Cuban players in the dugout and bullpen were clapping in unison on nearly every pitch. As a team, they did long toss for the 10 minutes just before taking the field. I could see Bonds or Sheffield, or a lot of MLB players doing that, couldn't you?
On a comparative basis, I thought the Cubans played the game with more enthusiasm than the Dominicans. Julian Tavarez showed how a pitcher can ruin a game by slowing it to the point where you think you might actually be able to see the grass grow.
Personally, I loved the WBC. Are there things that can be improved? Absolutely. IMO, one of the things to improve is the way the US views it's position as being above everyone else in baseball. Not sure that is correct any longer, either on or off the field.
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