What?! I didn’t even get a chance to turn on my DVR yet!
Am I gonna have to go back to my shitty soap opera?!
The Dominican Republic is OUT?!
Whoa, hold on. No more Hanley? No more Miggy? Bye bye Jose Reyes and Johnny Cueto? See you in… the regular season?! The Netherlands has your number?!
Is there anything is the world that makes sense right now? Please write me if you can find anything, anything at all. I am utterly demoralized.
Go Japan?
Seriously, there are so many douchebags on Team USA, I’m having a hard time not rooting against “us.”
Sorry, but I wince at the thought of cheering for the likes of Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis?! C’mon! I can’t stand David Wright. Ryan Braun is so arrogant that just looking at him pisses me off. And no, I’ve never been charmed by Derek Jeter. Jake Peavy… am I supposed to like this guy?
Here are the only players worth rooting for on Team USA: Roy Oswalt, LaTroy Hawkins, Adam Dunn, and Shane Victorino.
Ugh, I’m watching the pregame and I see that Brain McCann. Am I supposed to like him, too? Beacuse I don’t. I really don’t.
If you aren’t watching Panama v. Dominican Republic in the first round elimination game right now, you should be.
Dominicana better get their act together, or they are gonna be out early. Alternatively, Panama has a chance to advance with their first win in WBC play.
Panama’s biggest bat is the Astros’ own, Carlos Lee.
And the Dominican team has crazy talent! Cueto is on the mound. Jose Reyes is at short, Willy T. center field, Miggy at third, Fernando Tatis is playing a fine first base. He made an amazing play on a line drive in the second inning. Other names include David Ortiz (DH), Robinson Cano (2B), Jose Guillen (RF), Miguel Olivo (C)… and Hanley Ramirez on the bench.
Unlike regular Spring fare, this is a major league level event!
So get to the couch, or the bar, or your mom’s place. Get to a high-definition television and turn on the game!
Update: Dominican Republic 9, Panama 0 (eliminated from WBC)
highlights / notes of interest:
for the Dominican: Miguel Olivo, 2HR, 5 RBI; Willy Taveras: again runs when he shouldn’t, this time right through a stop sign at home, thrown out at the plate (3rd inning)
for Panama: Carlos Lee went 1 for 3
In in-game interview, Moises Alou reveals that he will be attending this year’s Kentucky Derby with “my best friend in the game, Jeff Bagwell.”
Stay tuned for U.S.A. v. Venezuela
What?!
I was watching a recording of last night’s Korea v. Japan game, then realized, I’m missing my team on ESPN right now! Serious baseball on today.
Came to the game in the top of the 9th, Netherlands leading 3-2?!
Willy T. led off the bottom of the 9th with a walk, and advanced to second on a ground out. Then, with Hanley Ramirez at the plate, Felipe Alou sent him to third and he was caught stealing! 2 outs. No one on. All momentum gone.
Netherlands 3, Team Dominicana 2.
More on the WBC throughout the weekend…
Update: Apparently, Felipe Alou did not send Taveras in the 9th. It was Willy’s decision, Alou said after the game; “It was not a good play for us.”
Last night, I watched the first game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic: China v. Japan at the Tokyo Dome. Here are some notes:
1. Orestes Destrade: Most pumped announcer ever.
I didn’t know he played for the Seibu Lions… until last night. Now I know all about it. He was so excited to be in Japan! His color announcing was peppered with words and insights into Japanese baseball culture that you know he has been saving for months. After interviewing some players from Team Japan (in English, with interpreter), he thanked them in Japanese and looked so freakin’ excited to be doing so! The Seattle Mariners should hire him right now.
2. Asian players: Haven’t they heard of steroids?
Only one player on the field weighed over 200 pounds.
3. Tokyo concessions: Please come to the USA.
Here’s what a friend read on the concessions stand sign at the Tokyo Dome:
iced coffee
strawberry ice
crepes
beef and kimchee don
I. seriously. want. kimchee. with. my. Shiner. at. the. game. And gimme one of them strawberry ices, too.
4. Yu Darvish: Holy Shit!
I love a phenom! And this one has a pretty slider. Plus, he’s stylish. His pants are almost as tight as Oswalt’s!
More “insights” and “analysis” as the WBC continues…
Last night, I had the best dream. I was on a baseball field surrounded by guys who love baseball. It was sunny. It was humid. It was the Dominican Republic. It was actually just like a feature on Angel “Nao” Presinal that I saw on Sunday’s edition of Baseball Tonight.
Anyway, my dream inspired this post, but it did not inspire my love for the island nation I’ve never visited. No, my affection springs from a love of the Dominican Republic’s music, weather, history, and, most importantly, people.
Top Five Reasons I’m Rooting for the Dominican Republic
5. Hanley Ramirez
Best player in baseball? Alright, I know that’s supposed to go to A-Rod, but y’all know Hanley is off the hook! And I love how nonchalant he is about the whole 9+ OPS and 40+ SB thing. I saw this kid at Spring Training last year. He was about 3 yards from me. He looked like any kid!
4. Moises Alou
He pees on his hands. He gets things done. In 2006, when the man was 40 years old, he managed 74 RBIs and 22 HR in only 98 games. Take that, Ty Wigginton! If you’ve ever thought, “Alou for team captain!,” then pinch yourself; you’re not dreaming.
3. No Albert Pujols
Its’ hard to root for him, isn’t it? ‘Stros fans can’t do it, can we? This year, y’all, no worries!
2. Willy Taveras
OK, I don’t want to get ridiculous here. I love this man. LOVE him. Why we threw him into the Jennings deal is beyond me. I maintain that it was the worst trade in ‘Stros history. Willy has speed, he has fielding ability, he has the arm! As for hitting, call me a sucker. I think it’ll come around. If you hate the thought of seeing him in a Reds uniform, then root for him here.
1. Miguel Tejada
The national player of the Dominican Republic. Yes, read that twice. “La Guagua” remembers his roots: he plays winter ball every year. And for those of you who question the wisdom of this decision, may I remind you that he’s the heart of the Houston franchise all season long? If he weren’t around, who’d be leading our team? Berkman?
To get on the good side of Houston fans, La Guagua even claims to love Toby Keith. (I say “claims” not to accuse him of lying, but because if I believe that he actually loves Toby Keith; I have to move him up the list.) The man is practically a saint!
La Guagua means “the bus.” Jump on and he’ll bring you home. I hope Miguel brings home a ton of runs in the WBC. I hope Houston fans rally to support him in these trying times. I know I will, because Miguel Tejada is the number one reason I’ll be cheering,
GO TEAM DOMINICAN!
beckeesh
Astropolithecus
Cabeza De Vaca
Disastros 