WBC IGT: USA v MEX 3-16-06

[nymr83]

by the time the next one rolls around Chipper won't be asked to play, Clemens won't be pitching at all, and Damon won't be able to reach 2B from shallow CF with his throws.

2009 TEAM:
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Derrek Lee
2B: Justin Upton
3B: David Wright
SS: Derek Jeter
LF: Jason Bay
CF/RF: Brian Anderson/Lastings Milledge
SP: Roy Oswalt, Ben Sheets, Mike Pelfrey

[Centerfield]

I'm happy for Bob Davidson that the blown call didn't end up making any difference.

That was a fun game. Clemens gets the loss in what might be his last game ever.

[Frayed Knot]

Really, this may have been Clemens last game ever????

I hadn't heard that.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

By 2009, Jason Bay will still be a Canadian.

[nymr83]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: By 2009, Jason Bay will still be a Canadian.

whoops.

i suppose he could become a citizen, but yeah i wasnt thinking

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

JD - "I enjoyed this, especially the closeup, once again, of a disconsolate Gayrod watching the other team celebrate."

A sight I hope to see numerous times this season. The more he and Jeter have to console one another in the face of defeat the better.

[MFS62]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: I enjoyed this, especially the closeup, once again, of a disconsolate Gayrod watching the other team celebrate.

I guess he isn't Mr. March.
Those announcers were so in love with Jeter that I thought they were ready to check into a motel for a threesome.

Later

[Guest Rotblatt]

It really is amazing. I mean, A-Rod is SUCH a good player, but he's always losing, even on good teams.

My girlfriend honestly think he sucks. She only ends up watching him in big games and he never does particularly well, she's completely incredulous when I say something like, "A-Rod's the best player in baseball."

Someone over at SoSH asked a key question: after the tournament, will the Chicago White Sox still be the World Champions?

[Guest Edgy DC]

The world championship as far as clubs is still distinct from the a tournament that crowns a nation world champion.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Edgy DC wrote: The world championship as far as clubs is still distinct from the a tournament that crowns a nation world champion.

Yeah, I think it was more of a joke.

[Centerfield]

USA LOSES AS JETER FAILS TO DO EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO WIN

By Centerfield
CPF News

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Roger Clemens was looking for a much better finish to his brilliant career. Instead, the Rocket Man choked yet again in a big spot, taking the loss as Oliver Perez and seven relievers combined to pitch a three-hitter to lead Mexico past the Rocket and Team USA 2-1 on Thursday night, eliminating the Americans from the inaugural World Baseball Classic and putting Japan in the semifinals.

Clemens pitched well (for a choker) Thursday night, but the bats couldn�t get the job done for the United States. A lineup loaded with All-Stars such as Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. managed just three hits against the gritty Mexican pitchers.

Despite the poor offensive showing, the consensus in Anaheim was that this loss rested squarely on the shoulders of Derek Jeter. �Derek usually does everything it takes to win,� Team USA manager Buck Martinez said. �Tonight, he didn�t play the game the way it�s supposed to be played. It�s a shame...you see what can happen.�

Despite batting .450 in the World Baseball Classic, Jeter�s TTRM (Things That Really Matter) numbers took a huge nosedive during this tournament. Jeter was 0 for 11 in Little Things that Constitute the Difference Between Winning and Losing, batted .043 in At-Bats that Really Matter and failed to record a single Important Nuance that Doesn�t Show Up in the Box Score.

�I knew it was going to be tough,� said Jeter. �The other countries play a high level of baseball and, you know, we have A-Rod.�

�With my heart and my determination, I can usually will my team to victory by simply refusing to lose. Tonight, I don�t know, I just didn't feel very adamant.�

Jeter added that he wished he could have given Clemens a better finale. �I wish we could have ended his career on a better note. I�ll try to make it up to him next time he retires.�

When it was over, Clemens talked about his final outing.

"They were tough. And when they started hitting the ball, there were no other objects around the mound for me to hurl at them. I�m not happy we lost, but since we only scored one run and since I wasn�t actually on the mound when the go-ahead run scored, I think people should blame my teammates and not me.� Asked about his retirement, Clemens responded, �For me, right now, it's goodbye."

The game was not without controversy. Mexico took a 1-0 lead off Clemens in the third on a leadoff double by Mario Valenzuela and a two-out single by Jorge Cantu.

But it wasn't that simple.

A television replay showed Valenzuela's fly ball hit the right field foul pole at least 10 feet off the ground and bounced back onto the field. However, first base umpire Bob Davidson didn't see it that way, and Valenzuela wound up at second. It was Davidson, umpiring behind the plate, who ruled that Japan's Tsuyoshi Nishioka left third base early in the eighth inning Sunday to negate a sacrifice fly that would have snapped a 3-3 tie in a game Team USA won.

Asked about the call afterwards, an irritated Davidson responded, �Why are you asking me about these calls? Ask Buck...he�s the one who tells me what to say.�

With the United States loss, Japan, which has already lost twice to Korea in the Classic, faces its archrival in Saturday's second semifinal game in San Diego, with the Dominican Republic meeting Cuba in the daytime opener. The winners play Monday for the championship.

[HahnSolo]

]�The other countries play a high level of baseball and, you know, we have A-Rod.�

Brilliance.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

BoC!

[Guest Rotblatt]

I really DID laugh out loud. Hilarious!

You forgot the all-important fist-pump statistic, however--Jeter was 0-12 in that category.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

]Asked about the call afterwards, an irritated Davidson responded, �Why are you asking me about these calls? Ask Buck...he�s the one who tells me what to say.�

Brilliant. Friggin' brilliant.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Very good.

This was my favorite line:

]�With my heart and my determination, I can usually will my team to victory by simply refusing to lose. Tonight, I don�t know, I just didn't feel very adamant.�

[Willets Point]

My favorite line:

]Jeter added that he wished he could have given Clemens a better finale. �I wish we could have ended his career on a better note. I�ll try to make it up to him next time he retires.�

Centerfield is my favorite sports writer.

[Guest Edgy DC]

One really wonders what is going on with Davidson.

[metsmarathon]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: By 2009, Jason Bay will still be a Canadian.

he will after the invasion...

[nymr83]

metsmarathon wrote: ="Johnny Dickshot"]By 2009, Jason Bay will still be a Canadian. he will after the invasion...

those plans were supposed to be kept secret!
damn nosy media and big mouthed aides...

[MFS62]

I think you were too kind.
Great stuff.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jeter on A-Rod: "How Long Will This Load Hold Me Back from the Victories That Are My Destiny?"

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Meanwhile, a guy who played on only one major league game, and was recently in the spotlight, has had a long successful baseball career:

http://leaptoad.com/mets/profile.php?PlayerCode=0193&tabno=7

[Guest Edgy DC]

That's just fantastic. This was the Metliest World Baseball Classic ever.