2009 World Baseball Classic

In last night’s World Baseball Classic, Japan defeated Cuba 5-0 at PETCO park in an elimination game that assured them a spot in the semi-finals.

Yesterday I sat down to watch the United States and Puerto Rico compete in an elimination game for the World Baseball Classic. It was the top of the ninth and a chant of unrivaled irony rained from the stands.

The Puerto Rico supporters began chanting "Go Home, Gringos!"

The irony of this chant is that it was being chanted in English, but that is beside the point.

Fast forward 30 minutes or so and David Wright is up to bat. Bases loaded, two outs. As Wright hits a gorgeous shot down the foul line, the crowd is silent.

Some people consider David Wright a hero for his walk-off right-field blooper last night against Puerto Rico in the WBC. I understand why some may praise him, but am surprised that no one is critical of the pitch he decided to swing on.

What the hell are you doing swinging at a pitch down and outside when the count can go to 3-1? It was an awful decision by Wright to swing at such a poor pitch.

You can say all you want about how the World Baseball Classic is a waste of time.

You can say how only the Latin American countries and a select few others actually care who wins this thing.

You can say that it's basically exhibition matches.

Just don't tell any of that to the players on Team USA.

It didn't look good. Team USA was down by two going into the bottom of the ninth inning. History, however, would not repeat itself for Team USA.

With the bases loaded and the U.S. squad down by one in the bottom of the ninth inning, Mets third baseman David Wright delivered a game-winning single into right field scoring Jimmy Rollins and Brian Roberts.

The victory for Team USA sends them into the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic and consequentially eliminates Team Puerto Rico.

It didn't look good for Team USA, but they came through in the clutch.

Alright, everybody, just calm down a bit. I've been reading posts on some web sites such as ESPN.com saying how "embarrassed" the USA should be because we got defeated 11-1 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

And to that I reply with a great big, resounding YAWN.

Mercy me. Regardless of whether you enjoy the WBC or not, and I admit it has grown on me somewhat, you need to understand one basic fact.

The results are basically meaningless.

That's right. And the reason is two-fold.

The World Baseball Classic seems to be trudging into the championship rounds with a mixed level of enthusiasm. This week, teams from Puerto Rico, USA, Mexico, Cuba, Japan, Korea, Venezuela, and the Netherlands stagger to the finish line playing before thousands of fans disguised as empty seats.

Stories about the classic are all too abundant as writers speak of the event's unpopularity, while MLB officials try to spin the event as a rousing success in bringing a global sport to the globe.

Team Puerto Rico absolutely destroyed the star-packed Team USA with a score of 11-1 Saturday evening in Miami.

The game actually ended as a result of the Mercy Rule, which I personally found a bit amusing. The Mercy Rule occurs when a game ends early when one team has a very large and presumably insurmountable lead over the other team. In the case of the WBC, the rule is 10 runs. 

Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte returned to Yankee camp from the World Baseball Classic. Both are nursing injuries. They are supposed to be minor, but both players will see the doctor tomorrow.

Puerto Rico remains undefeated through the first round of the World Baseball Classic. I must say, I'm very impressed with their team unity and great play so far. 

I say so far because we were all stunned when the Netherlands defeated the heavily favored Dominican Republic (TWICE, actually), and we may be in for another upset in the later rounds.