WBC

[Pardon My Dinger]

How about joy? Are you guys fans of joy at all? 

[Tom Froemming]

 

That said, is anyone following/watching any of it, and not just the US?

Yes, and I'm actually less likely to watch a game involving the US than any other team. The thing I really enjoy about the WBC is seeing baseball wrapped in a different culture. I especially enjoyed following the Korean team in '09. I wasn't familiar with too many guys on that team, but I just really liked watching the brand of baseball they played.

[Tom Froemming]

I'm also trying to watch because I think there's a great chance this is the last WBC now that Bud Selig has retired and baseball is going to be back in the Olympics. The Salvy Perez injury scare and security issues during the fight that broke out in the stands in Mexico don't help, either. I'm pretty surprised the MLB owners ever supported the event in the first place.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Ugh, summer or winter Olympics? Neither makes any sense. Manfred strikes again.

 

I think I'd rather there be a WBC tournament which at least MLB has some control over, than Olympic baseball.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

Quite a game last night as the DR goes down for the first time since 2009.   If you needed to see a game that makes the case for why Yadier Molina is a first ballot Hall of Famer, last night might be it.  Two hits, two RBI, a homer, throws Cruz out stealing (why was he stealing) in critical 8th inning and he owned the umpire all night getting called strikes that were nowhere near the strike zone.

 

Great to see two Twins contribute for team Puerto Rico - Rosario with RBI double and Hector Santiago with two strong innings out of the pen. 

 

 

[Squirrel]

 

Uffda. Maybe have your first cup of coffee before you hit 'Post.'

 

Anyhoo...the reason I like the WBC is that by the time pitchers and caters report in February, I'm so geared up for baseball that i can't even stand it. Spring Training is just kind of a tease. I can't really watch many games, and the games don't mean a thing. The WBC, on the other hand, features 1) players I've heard of, 2) meaningful games (arguable, I suppose, but whatever), and 3) a fully televised schedule. Real baseball is better than Spring Training games. 

 

And finally, yeah the nationalism, if you have a problem with that, then Int'l sports probably just aren't for you. That's a pity, because there are some sweet tournaments out there. 

First of all, the coffee comment was really not necessary.

 

Secondly, my post was most about the few who complain about the lack of enthusiasm for and from team USA. So what? I really see no meaning in this tournament from a nationalism perspective. I have the same gripe re the nationalism I do with the Olympics. If you like baseball, then watch the games for the games, why get hung up on that? Because, yeah ... your reasons for watching are well stated and that I can respect. It isn't all about Team USA and that's as it should be, imo.

 

Lastly, I do follow it loosely. I'll tune into games here and there, because it's baseball, and I want to see how Twins players are doing. I don't really care what country wins or doesn't because the whole concept of this is to expand baseball for the MLB.

 

Well, and more lastly, why I made the next post I did ... hardly any chatter in here on what's happening. Makes me wonder really if many are that interested.

[Squirrel]

 

Yes, and I'm actually less likely to watch a game involving the US than any other team. The thing I really enjoy about the WBC is seeing baseball wrapped in a different culture. I especially enjoyed following the Korean team in '09. I wasn't familiar with too many guys on that team, but I just really liked watching the brand of baseball they played.

This I can get behind.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

First of all, the coffee comment was really not necessary.

You're right. I regret that. 

 

 

[Willihammer]

(Raises hand) I'm interested. I watch as much as I can. It seems like a really cool, friendly competition and I'd rather watch 1 WBC game featuring the US, PR, Japanese, Candian or Dominican teams than a hundred spring training games including the Twins.

 

By the way the WBC is much more of a "world series" than the MLB tourney which is a an embarrassing misnomer in 2017 IMO.

[Squirrel]

 

You're right. I regret that. 

It's okay. You could have just as easily been correct on that. I wasn't trying to be 'crabby' about it ... I was just seeing comments regarding something that I feel somewhat strongly about in the opposite direction.

[cmoss84]

 

How about joy? Are you guys fans of joy at all? 

I am! I went to Venezuela vs. South Korea when I first moved to CA in 2006 (the first WBC). I had very low expectations for it but wanted to check out Anaheim. The atmosphere was really incredible. Scalped some great tickets for really cheap and harassed Bobby Abreu in right field the entire game. If any of you get an opportunity to go to a game, no matter who it is...go for it! 

 

On a side note, I do wish USA was more stacked. I haven't paid attention to the progression of their roster since it started, but maybe more players will give it a go each tournament? Perhaps they could expand the rosters so that pitchers can go 1-2 innings and managers still have a plethora of options.  

[biggentleben]

The DR/PR game last night was incredibly fun to watch. Rosario's throw from right had my kiddos all jumping and excited about baseball, and watching the players get incredibly excited about each play also was something they haven't seen out of any game I've played for them outside of a replay of the first game back of the Marlins post-Fernandez last year, which they have asked about a few times because they recognized the venue in the WBC games that have been on.

[Sarah]

I think it's fun and hope it continues. I will be the ugly American and say it sucks that some of the games are in Japan so are on at random times early in the morning, wish I have been able to watch more of that bracket. But the others that are on at normal times for us stateside have been enjoyable. 

[cmoss84]

Did anyone watch the game last night? Goosebumps when Jones/Hosmer went off?

 

C'mon that was awesome!

[ashbury]

Why should we be excited about the WBC?

My reasoning is admittedly circular, but since the players take it seriously, I do. After the first round and the joke teams have been sent home, I expect to see baseball played at a high level, and as such it's a nice alternative to MLB.

 

If they ever stop taking it seriously, so do I.

[Sarah]

Mark this in the category of things that will never happen but the announcers were wondering today if the winner of the WBC could beat the World Series champion - that would be cool if they would play each other. 

[Willihammer]

Ervin Santana throwing for DR against team USA right now. Third inning. Tied 2-2.

[Squirrel]

I miss Neshek on our team. Always liked him. And he really 'brought it' just now.

[Squirrel]

Mark this in the category of things that will never happen but the announcers were wondering today if the winner of the WBC could beat the World Series champion - that would be cool if they would play each other.

 

That would be cool if they could. I imagine there would/could be a player or two who might have to choose which team to play on.

[Squirrel]

Fans almost got in the way of that catch.

[Squirrel]

Dinger ... are you watching this game?

[Squirrel]

And the 'dream team' goes down.

[Pardon My Dinger]

**** it. I'm going to the game tomorrow. USA vs Japan. I'll post pictures and stuff.

[Bark's Lounge]

I hope Puerto Rico wins this thing.

[jokin]

 

I hope Puerto Rico wins this thing.

 

Congrats to Eddie Rosario for getting the Sac Fly that gets PR to Wed. WBC finals.

[jokin]

 

 

My reasoning is admittedly circular, but since the players take it seriously, I do. After the first round and the joke teams have been sent home, I expect to see baseball played at a high level, and as such it's a nice alternative to MLB.

 

If they ever stop taking it seriously, so do I.

 

After tonight, no one can say anything but that both teams were as serious as a heart attack .

 

What a great game.

[mickeymental]

only saw the last three innings, but it was fun. players are clearly into it. good on eddie r.  

 

makes sense to have the modified extra-inning format in this tourney. but never in mlb ...

[GP830]

 

How about joy? Are you guys fans of joy at all? 

Does anybody remember laughter???

[GP830]

This WBC has been exciting. From where I sit, a Puerto Rico win could yield a Tournament MVP Award for our very own Eddie Rosario. He's been in the highlights of each game. I'd love a USA v PR final.

 

[Bark's Lounge]

USA v Puerto Rico. I guess I will have to watch this one.

 

I'm all in on PR. It would benefit the Twins to have a few of their players come back to camp with good energy and ready to hit the regular season with vigor and confidence!