WBC - Who’s watching? (Poll added)

[MGX]

Enjoying following this very much, the baseball has been great & the story lines are fun...

Teams like the Czech & Australian teams where you can have an electrician come in from the bullpen to face a firefighter in one AB & then they face an MLB player in the next. 

Italy not only needing to upset the Netherlands, but had to beat them by at least a few runs to turn the tie-breaker in their favor & they go out & win 7-1.

Meneses powering Mexico to a huge upset over the USA

Venezuela & Japan looking great so far. 

The stories from the games played in Japan...

- After the Sho hit an HR, a lady ended up with the ball & took a selfie & then passed it around to other fans so they could do the same & it got back to her.

- Sasaki who throws 100+, during his outing hit a Czech player with a pitch. The next day he shows up in person at the Czech bus & offers apology to the player & a gift to the team. According to MLB.com this is a Japanese tradition

 

[Twodogs]

16 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Anyone watching? Have a favorite team? Notable moment? If you are watching and want to jump in with a comment or observation, jump in!

Have to say, I’m enjoying Venezuela … they are coming on gang busters. Berríos got chased out of the game tonight, giving up 6 in an inning+ of work.

And two of my favorites … Eddie and Eduardo are playing ❤️

Eddie has always had a flare for the dramatic.  It seems he really loves the high pressure situations.  Eddie, Eddie, Eddie......

[Twodogs]

15 hours ago, mrtwinsfan said:

And all the experts had them behind  U.S.  Dominican   Japan  and  Puerto rico .  Not no more!!!

I'm wondering if the experts were more focused on the lineups than the pitching?  I mean the US lineup looks great but the pitching doesn't seem as good as some of the other countries.  It always seems like in playoff situations that the pitching is often more important than the hitting.  With great pitching you only really need to scrape a few runs together and most of the games are in your favor.  

[chpettit19]

48 minutes ago, Twodogs said:

I'm wondering if the experts were more focused on the lineups than the pitching?  I mean the US lineup looks great but the pitching doesn't seem as good as some of the other countries.  It always seems like in playoff situations that the pitching is often more important than the hitting.  With great pitching you only really need to scrape a few runs together and most of the games are in your favor.  

I think the biggest challenge of a tourney like this is getting high quality pitching to participate. The timing of the WBC means there's always going to be top end pitching that can't, or won't, participate. Kershaw, for example, this year had to back out because he couldn't get the needed insurance for it. I think it's also why Japan is always going to be a/the favorite. They have a real national team that their stars play for in multiple tournaments. 

[Craig Arko]

I’m not really able to watch it, but this is why I care.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35849817/japan-roki-sasaki-brings-bags-candy-apologize-hbp

[Taiwan Twins Fan]

I went to a couple games here in Taiwan. The local team’s surprise upset of The Netherlands was absolutely thrilling. The sell-out crowd went berserk and as a Twins fan I got a kick out of seeing Blyleven over in this part of the world.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

I’m not really able to watch it, but this is why I care.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35849817/japan-roki-sasaki-brings-bags-candy-apologize-hbp

That would be expensive if you were wild… look at all that candy

[Bodie]

22 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Nice move to take him out for the ovation. Pablo pitched well.

The Miami Marlins see these huge crowds and wonder.

Great crowds for the games all over.  Miami and Arizona crowds just Latin crazy, and the Japan/Taiwan a whole new sort of nuts!  

Just a couple of hours now til Lance Lynn serves it up to America's Hat!!!

Enjoying the WBC thoroughly, but already miss The Kingdom of the Netherlands with pitching coach Bert Blyleven and 2B Johnathan Schoop...

[tony&rodney]

The sportsmanship and honor that Japan brings to the game is laudable.

I was surprised and dismayed to hear the USA manager whine about pitcher's limitations in the WBC. That should be his last chance at managing. All teams are playing with the same rules. Ohtani will not go all nine innings in his next start. 

[stringer bell]

Whoa! Did anyone see de Leon’s outing for Team PR? 5.2 innings, no hits, no walks, 10 Ks. 

[jkcarew]

Not watching and not that interested. Only because none (or almost none) of the top teams field their best roster. It’s the same as the annual hockey world championships where rosters consist of players whose teams have been eliminated from playoffs and don’t otherwise opt out. I get the quality is still very high, and don’t begrudge the passion and pride of the international fans (and players). But I can only consume so much when I view results as relatively meaningless. Not saying the event is stupid or should be discontinued…not at all. Just saying it’s not my cup of tea in current state.

I’m interested in performance of prospects…but not any differently than if they were performing in Grapefruit League games.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

"Tigers scout Luis Molina caught up with Hebbert after his outing and, following a short conversation, offered him a contract with the club. The signing was announced to all of Hebbert's Nicaraguan teammates on the team bus."  - MLB.com

The minors? The Detroit Tigers, you say? Get your bags packed, kid, the big club needs you and Opening Day is in little more than two weeks. 🙂

 

 

[Bodie]

33 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Whoa! Did anyone see de Leon’s outing for Team PR? 5.2 innings, no hits, no walks, 10 Ks. 

Just lights out!

[notoriousgod71]

I love watching these games. There is something about national pride that amps up the intensity and I love seeing guys that aren't in the big leagues anymore but still representing their country.

 

[notoriousgod71]

USA with a nine spot in the first. Canada should probably bring in Fergie Jenkins.

[tony&rodney]

I'm a baseball fan so I like watching these games late at night which does not interfere with moving piles of snow around. There have been more than a few times when I'll drive to watch a high school, college, or minor league game just to relax. Some people watch tv , go to restaurants, or to the movies. I like to read, fix things around the property, and watch baseball. I do understand that others are not as interested but wonder why they comment on baseball sites.

Turned the sound off as soon as the announcers started to complain about how restricted the managers are in the WBC. They did not mention that there are fifteen pitchers on the team. The comment that the USA team suffers due to the pitch count rules was absurd. Someone not aware would think that the other teams follow their own rules. The straw was when we were informed that the USA team was just getting into shape while many of the players on the other teams had  played winter ball and were already in form. 

I'm digging how the USA team is pounding the ball right now and expect they will be a total handful for any pitching staff. For those of you with the sound on, I hope the bloated jingoism stops. It is a fun tournament. 

[Bodie]

36 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

I love watching these games. There is something about national pride that amps up the intensity and I love seeing guys that aren't in the big leagues anymore but still representing their country.

 

Fun seeing Danny Valencia (retired after '18 season) playing for Israel...

[tony&rodney]

46 minutes ago, Bodie said:

Fun seeing Danny Valencia (retired after '18 season) playing for Israel...

Professional baseball players, like diehard fans, love the game. The focus and work to be a major league player is intense and most careers are short. When an MLB player has been released and retires, they face a new existence yet they almost always still love the game. When I played men's baseball in Florida in the 80s, 90s, and 00s there were quite a few former MLB players still at it. This included more than a few who were stars, including a batting champion and Cy Young Award winner. So, it is great to see Valencia and others still playing baseball. When age happens and/or the skills erode a little, it is good to know that the love of playing a game remains.

[Seth Stohs]

They talked about it a bit on the broadcast tonight, but this Shi Davidi article on Canadian LHP Adam Loewen and him being able to leave the mound on his own terms is really good. Very emotional. 

 

[Seth Stohs]

If I had to pick between watching a WBC game and watching a Twins spring training game filled with prospects and such, I'd pick the Twins. 

Honestly, people are fully aware that by the playoffs, I'm pretty much done watching baseball. When the Twins are done, I am done. Maybe the pitch clock and pace of play improvements will make it more likely I will watch. We'll see. 

Frankly, I have never really been all that interested in the WBC. I don't know if it's because I have YouTube TV and get Fox, FS1, and FS2 and can watch all of the games at various times throughout every day, I've been able to get into it this year. Obviously, I'll enjoy watching games that include current and/or former Twins. 

I don't think it makes a person a lesser fan to not get into the WBC, the playoffs, or in my case, watching any games that don't include the Twins. 

[davidborton]

On 3/12/2023 at 6:58 PM, Seth Stohs said:

Speaking of... how about Edouard Julien. Homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning and then walked four more times. Impressive! ...

I was at that game. He struck out once as well. The 18-8 game was a blowout snoozer.

Have been at four games and will see two more. The pitching overall is bad, with a strikes to ball ratio of about 55%. 

Best game of all was Colombia defeating Mexico in 10 inn. The 20,000 crowd was electric. Didn't need any "make some noise" BS electronic cues. The excitement and energy kept the crowd noisy on every play.

Sat on the Mex side for the US/Mex game. Rooted for Mexico as I believe that it's in the game's best interest to have some of the underdogs rule the yard if one of the primary goals is to expand interest in the game - - particularly among the young. It was a delight to be in the midst of all the hooping and hollering, the energy of the Mexican crowd. "Viva Mexico!"

[NotAboutWinning]

Anyone else put off by the over the top behavior of the USA team while beating up on a clearly inferior team? That was one day after being humiliated by a Mexico team that they should have been able to handle!

[CRF]

Been following it somewhat, but to be honest...I'm not a real big fan of the WBC. No doubt it has a different atmosphere/vibe to it, but I just can't get into it. I'd watch any spring training game, before a WBC game. Bring on the MLB regular season!

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, NotAboutWinning said:

Anyone else put off by the over the top behavior of the USA team while beating up on a clearly inferior team? That was one day after being humiliated by a Mexico team that they should have been able to handle!

I didn't notice anything. 

[davidborton]

1 hour ago, CRF said:

... the WBC.  but I just can't get into it. I'd watch any spring training game, before a WBC game. Bring on the MLB regular season!

Physically being at the two, ST vs WBC, is like comparing apples and onions for me. I realize it is totally subjective.

Call the WBC the Olympics Lite. I enjoy the spirit, enthusiasm, noise, electricity, the cultural differences, the crowd of the WBC.

I gave up on spring training a few years ago. $30 to see prospects play doesn't work for me. MLBers used to play more innings. It has switched in recent years. Instead, I have opted for the competitiveness of men's college (Ariz State and Univ of Ariz) hardball and women's softball for $7.

[2wins87]

I've really enjoyed it this year after paying basically no attention in previous years.  It seems like it's catching on a lot more this year.  Japan's team is about as stacked as it could be, and the Dominican and Venezuelan teams are reasonably close too.  Not everyone's is going to be into it, but I'd encourage everyone to at least try.

I think I can share this tip for watching all of it - the Fox Sports website gives you a free 60 minute preview and carries every game.  If you watch in an incognito/private window they won't save cookies and you can get as many free previews as you'd like.  I haven't been able to cast to a tv which is the only drawback.

My favorite teams so far are probably Venezuela among the powerhouses and Australia among the underdogs.  Venezuela's got a good group of current and former Twins and just a lot of really good players in general.  Australia seems to just have a bunch of ABL guys, some of whom have a little experience in the states (including former Twins' farmhands Aaron Whitefield and Todd Van Steensel).  It's more fun than some of the other underdogs with mlb players with heritage that kind of feels a bit mercenary-like.

I don't think the American team was disrespectful or over the top in celebration.  They were kind of encouraged to run up the score against Canada when the tiebreakers might come into play.  I think they were trying to keep the momentum going, but it seemed a pretty normal amount of celebration/pumping up of teammates. I will say though, I don't really find the American team all that exciting compared to some of the other teams.

[Doctor Gast]

I'm just curious, how's Arraez doing? I can't find anything.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'm just curious, how's Arraez doing? I can't find anything.

2 for 11 with a double, 2 walks, and 4 Ks.

[Doctor Gast]

20 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

2 for 11 with a double, 2 walks, and 4 Ks.

Thanks chpettit. Kinda playing beneath himself, hopes he turns it around when it counts.

[jkcarew]

16 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I do understand that others are not as interested but wonder why they comment on baseball sites.

?? Do hard core football fans watch every preseason game…or the Pro Bowl (when it was played)? Certainly not.

The WBC consists of a series of exhibition games. Absolutely no conclusions can be drawn from results other than “a lot of countries have a lot of very good players”. Can I ‘enjoy’ kicking back and watching a game or two? Absolutely. Am I going to engage over a series of 20 games and care about results? Absolutely not.