Big, Little, Short and Tall – The WBC Has Them All

Round two action in the World Baseball Classic action continued today.  One of the things I love about baseball is that it is not a short, tall, big, small, strong or fast man’s game.  It is a game where any body type can find their place.  That fact was highlighted in today’s WBC action.  Great big Adam Dunn, jacking a huge home run.  Wiry Ichiro Suzuki getting on base again and again.  A pitching match-up between Dice-K and a long, tall Cuban.  The World Baseball Classic is a reflection of all the ways that baseball is played.

Here are recaps for the first two games.  Game three between Korea and Mexico did not start until 10:00 pm my time.  That recap will have to wait until tomorrow.

Cuba vs. Japan

This game was a rematch of the 2006 Championship game. The outcome was the same.

Japanese pitching was led by Daisuke Matsuzaka, who dominated the normally strong Cuban hitters. Japan did what they do best:  manufactured runs with a bunch of singles and one double.

During one at bat, two foul pop-ups were mishandled.  One by Ichiro Suzuki in right field, and one by the catcher, Kenji Johjima (the sun was tough).  Both were charged with an error, again IN THE SAME AT BAT.  The Cuban batter finally struck out looking.

Cuba never got anything going in this game, while Japan looked great winning 6-0.  Even so, I want to recruit some of those Cuban players.  When will we ever make up with our next door neighbor?  I know most Americans would like to export our goods to the island, while importing Cuban cigars.  I just want Cuban to once again be the getaway it was in the days of Hemingway, and I want to import their baseball players. 

USA vs. Kingdom of the Netherlands

Perhaps, Team USA bonded through adversity.  In the game against Puerto Rico, Team USA seemed flat and disjointed, while Puerto Rico played with fire and unity. Tonight, Team USA looked like a team.

There were two fabulous defensive plays by the Netherlands.  Catcher, Kenley Jansen threw out Brian Roberts trying to steal 2nd, and he did it FROM HIS KNEES.  Somebody forgot to warn Roberts about Jansen’s arm. I did not double check, but I do not think he has missed a stealer, yet.  The Dodgers have talked about converting Jansen to a pitcher because he is having trouble hitting, but I hope he finds his bat because I love watching him behind the plate.

Also, the Netherlands, first baseman Randall Simon, made a diving stop and threw FROM HIS BACK to get the force at the plate.

Jimmy Rollins for Team USA also had a fabulous diving stop that he shuttled FROM HIS BELLY to second base, where Roberts turned it for a double play.

Team USA was wining 8-1 in the seventh, when somebody set off a few fireworks.  Netherlands left-fielder, Bryan Engelhardt, hit a solo home run–the team’s first for the WBC.  Team USA pitcher, Matt Lindstrom, seemed to think that Engelhardt admired the shot a little too long, because threw at hip level behind the next batter.  The Netherlands team took offense to this and yelled at Lindstrom from the top dugout step.  Both teams were warned.

Engelhardt might have watched the shot a second too long, but throwing at the next batter, when you are winning 8-2, is ridiculous.  But, what goes around, comes around.  Lindstrom gave up another run and left the game with an injury.

Under the category of something no one has seen before, catcher Brian McCann came in to pinch hit in the ninth for Ryan Braun and remained in the game in the OUTFIELD.  Amazingly, no ball found him.  Ryan Braun exited the game with what sounds like another oblique injury.

This ends the Netherlands Cinderella run, but they have much to be proud of.  They made it to the second round.  They have never been mercy ruled.  Even, the USA can not say that.

The USA team had much to be proud of tonight, as well.  They seemed to come together in the way they need to in order to contend in this tournament.  USA now waits to face the loser of tomorrow’s game between Venezuela and Puerto Rico.