2009 World Baseball Classic

Last night, Puerto Rico shut out the Netherlands 5-0 on just six hits. None of the eight pitchers used by manager Jose Oquendo were challenged as they combined for 13 strikeouts.

Puerto Rico had 10 hits of their own, but only one extra-base hit—a triple by Alex Rios that drove in a run. Of the five pitchers for the Netherlands, only Alexander Smit was able to prevent Puerto Rico from scoring.

Both teams used their bench players liberally, making this game seem more like an exhibition.

No one goes to a baseball game to learn anything. Well, at least not anything important.

That's not to say that arguing over the six Astros' pitchers to no-hit the Yankees, the catcher to catch the most games after the age of forty, and what exactly went into the original Cracker Jack recipe isn't a valuable addition to your library of baseball knowledge, but it won't exactly change your life either.

Well, unless you're a fan of the Yankees or Cracker Jack that is.

During 12 magical seasons as Yankee teammates, Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams reached six World Series and captured four titles.

In a combined 30 seasons in pinstripes, they have become as much a symbol of Yankee success as the immortal superstars that preceded them.

Jeter and Williams' friendship and fame even landed them a guest appearance on Seinfeld:

A pinch-hit two-run home run prevented Cuba from being the next victim in a World Baseball Classic that has featured incredible upsets. Backup catcher Yosbany Peraza—known in Cuba for his prodigious power stroke—saved the day.

Team Australia led the game 4-2 after six innings. Cuba scored once in the seventh on a double by designated hitter Michel Enriquez. In the eighth Australia brought in its closer, Rich Thompson.

For as little as Americans don't care about the World Baseball Classic, it's obvious watching the games that this tournament means as much as anything to the rest of the countries participating.

And last night, when the Netherlands defeated the favored Dominican Republic, the Caribbean stood still.

The first round elimination is being touted as a national disgrace in the Dominican today, with an entire nation in mourning because their all-world all-star team didn't win the tournament.

The Dutch have done it—they made the world say DAM(N)

It has nothing to do with the creative way with which they divert water around The Hague.

The Netherlands have added another chapter to The Classic!!

Francisco Cervelli is a defensive catcher mostly known for getting his arm broken when he was bowled over by a member of the Tampa Bay Rays last spring training.

He’s also one of the next in line to get called up if the Yankees need to carry three catchers if Jorge Posada’s shoulder isn’t healthy enough to play over 100 games behind the plate. In that case, it would either be him or journeyman Kevin Cash.

Shelley Duncan's three-run homer and Juan Miranda's solo shot led the Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Reds tonight.  Joba Chamberlain made the start, and gave up one run over three innings.

Sometimes even a loss can be rewarding. South Africa may have been beaten last night by Mexico, 14-3, but they won respect as a group that is working hard to learn the game.

Team Mexico pounded out 16 hits and four home runs, two by Adrian Gonzalez, who had three hits and six RBI.

The other two Mexicans with homers, Oscar Robles and Jorge Cantu, also had three hits. Seven different pitchers were used by South Africa, one only 16 years old! They are young and they are hungry, but also inexperienced.