BBTF.org/m/wbc : World Baseball Classic FINALS OMNICHATTER

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Freeman was set to play for Canada

(www.torontosun.com)

posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:24 AM by The Mighty Quinn to wbc | 3 comment(s)

But does he know the lyrics to ” Let’s Go to the Mall” or the “Beaver Song”?

“LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - How many national teams can boast having a suitable replacement for an MVP winner?

Had Joey Votto’s knee prevented him from playing in this month’s World Baseball Classic, Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was ready and willing to wear the maple leaf.

“I told the players association to make sure they let the WBC know that both my parents were born in Canada,” Freeman ...

Reader Comments and Retorts

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1. RollingWave posted on March 19, 2013 at 05:51 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Whatever happens, the PR team should at least get a documentary, if not a full blown movie on this run.

2. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:56 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm happy regardless of who wins, but I want a close game.

3. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:24 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

CHECKLIST:

Rally Plantain [ ]
Gratuitous bunt [ ]
Dramatic HR (7th inning or later) [ ]
Guy runs into pitch-count limit [ ]
Reference to how rotten Puerto Rico's baseball fortunes have been since it joined the draft []
Baserunning blunder [ ]
Conradian play [ ]
Seagulls [ ]
Mentions of: Juan Marichal [ ] Roberto Clemente [ ] Roberto Alomar [ ] Orlando Cepeda [ ]
San Pedro De Macoris verbally referenced [ ]
1-2-3-4-5-6 inning [ ]
Triple [ ]
The Fan Cave people are shown [ ]
Selig shows up [ ]
"Beat L.A." Chant starts [ ]
Costas references the Olympics [ ]

4. cmd600 posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:44 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Whatever happens, the PR team should at least get a documentary, if not a full blown movie on this run.

Sure, its exciting that they got there, but is it any more special than if an 85-win wild card team took the Series? PR is all of 5-3. We're going to expect even the Astros to win five out of eight games pretty frequently this year.

5. esseff posted on March 19, 2013 at 01:18 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Just bought a view level infield seat on StubHub for $12 (they're going for as little as $10, if I had bought two). That's a tenth of what the WBC was originally charging. The $115 (including fees) back of the bleacher seats I first posted about three weeks ago are now $8 plus $5.75 in fees at the WBC site, and that price is good for all bleacher seats. There was even a set of free tickets on craiglist yesterday for Monday night's game.

6. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 03:07 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Just bought a view level infield seat on StubHub for $12 (they're going for as little as $10, if I had bought two). That's a tenth of what the WBC was originally charging. The $115 (including fees) back of the bleacher seats I first posted about three weeks ago are now $8 plus $5.75 in fees at the WBC site, and that price is good for all bleacher seats. There was even a set of free tickets on craiglist yesterday for Monday night's game.

I heard that the Giants and MLB greatly overestimated the pricing, and then also didn't institute dynamic pricing until late in the game. Not to mention that San Francisco isn't as diverse as, say, Los Angeles. Once the Asian teams and the USA were out, the prices on the secondary market plummeted to the level you are seeing now.

7. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling posted on March 19, 2013 at 06:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Yeah, original ticket prices were ridiculous, to the point that I decided not to go. Just changed my mind, and picked up a cheap ticket on stubhub- now gotta figure out how to sneak out early to catch the silly 5 PM start time :)

Regarding diversity, there's a huge hispanic population in San Jose. People just don't want to pay $100+ for a bleacher seat.

8. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 06:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Regarding diversity, there's a huge hispanic population in San Jose. People just don't want to pay $100+ for a bleacher seat

Truth. Truth. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese bought game tickets in bulk and then dropped them in bulk...

I read on Twitter, by the way, that they are going to be showing the game in stadiums and movie theaters in the PR and DR. I find this cool, despite the fact that it's pretty common for big sports events (I know Korea and Japan did a similar thing last time).

9. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 07:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Was there really *3* hours of pre-game for this game?

3 hours of Mitch Williams? Harold Reynolds???

That's a crime against humanity ...

10. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 07:56 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

There's totally "dozens" of fans in the stands too, Bob!

11. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:02 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Looks like crowd is better than last night.

12. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:05 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

There should be gratuitous orchestras before every baseball game.

13. Smyly Smile (Walewander) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:09 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I know that PR's roster is thin, but should their victory over Japan be considered THAT big an upset? It seemed like a weak Japan team notwithstanding the lack of major leaguers, and PR has several quality big leaguers on the team, although their pitching is pretty light.

14. Smyly Smile (Walewander) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

PR's pitcher used to pitch for my hometown Uni-President Lions? I know who I'm rooting for!

15. cardsfanboy

posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:21 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

, although their pitching is pretty light

St Louis fans are taking the pitching success of PR as proof of the greatness of Yadier. :)

16. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Already a Clemente reference.

17. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm starting when the game starts, scott. I'm sure one will come up again, though.

18. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

WBC is being played by regular season rules. Something tells me Bud will change the rules mid-way if it starts raining heavily again, in order to avoid having the Dominican and/or Puerto Rican government putting a price on his head.

19. Yardape posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I know that PR's roster is thin, but should their victory over Japan be considered THAT big an upset? It seemed like a weak Japan team notwithstanding the lack of major leaguers, and PR has several quality big leaguers on the team, although their pitching is pretty light.

Japan's lineup was fairly thin: Abe is great, and Sakamoto is pretty good, but that wasn't a great hitting team. Their strength was their pitching, but when they couldn't score runs.

Speaking of which, I thought it was funny how big of a deal the announcers Sunday night made of Puerto Rico's pitching shutting down the Japanese hitters. Other than smacking around an extremely thin Netherlands pitching staff, the Japanese struggled to score runs all tournament.

20. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:34 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Radar map does not look promising for an uninterupted game ...

21. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:36 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Radar map does not look promising for an uninterupted game ...

Maybe they can find one of Barry Bonds' old hats and use it as a impromptu dome.

22. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

That was ... not a good pitch.

23. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:43 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Reyes clearly doesn't care about this game.

24. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:44 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

2-0 DR!

25. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Well, perhaps IBBing Cano wasn't the best move.

26. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Beat L.A. chant [X]

27. Peanut posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:46 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I'm so glad they bunted Reyes to 3rd so he could score when E5 crushed that ball.

28. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 08:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Say, guys, did you hear? Brian Kenny is new school and Harold Reynolds is old school! Who knew?

29. AT-AT at bat@AT&T posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:09 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Jesus, not even the swinging bunt works !!!

30. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Welcome our new Deduno Overlord.

31. Repoz

posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:23 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

If this unfortunate Jim Kaat announcing comeback continues...soon he'll want to throw Dewayne Staats into the trash.

32. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:27 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It's raining.

33. Good cripple hitter posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This game is official after 4 1/2 innings if the home team's winning? This could easily turn into a fiasco of a final.

34. Petunia inquires about ponies posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Whose brilliant idea was it to play the final game in San Francisco in mid-March to begin with? As the kids would say... smh

35. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:36 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This game is official after 4 1/2 innings if the home team's winning? This could easily turn into a fiasco of a final.
34. Petunia inquires about ponies Posted: March 19, 2013 at 09:28 PM (#4392029)
Whose brilliant idea was it to play the final game in San Francisco in mid-March to begin with? As the kids would say... smh

I look forward to the riots in San Juan.

36. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:39 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I had the pleasure of sitting through an hour plus rain delay during the Japan v Korea semi-final at Petco back in 2006.

That actually worked out great, most of the non-partisan crowd bailed (it was later in the game and damn cold) and the Korea and Japan fans moved from all over the stadium into the seats along the 1st and 3rd base lines ... where they stood chanting and singing, back-and-forth, throughout the entire duration of the delay.

Sure doesn't look pleasant out there right now ...

37. Good cripple hitter posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:39 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Sutcliffe + Thorne seem to be implying that MLB is basically hoping to get an official game in and then send the teams home. If that happens and it's still 2-0, it'll be an absolute joke.

38. AT-AT at bat@AT&T posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

at least half of the weather report "cloudy with a chance of steroids" was correct.

39. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Sutcliffe + Thorne seem to be implying that MLB is basically hoping to get an official game in and then send the teams home. If that happens and it's still 2-0, it'll be an absolute joke.

Bud Selig has never caused an international incident! It's on his bucket list!

40. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Radar looks like they're in the middle of this moderately-heavy stuff, but there's plenty of lighter rain to the West ...

41. The John Wetland Memorial Death (CoB) posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:48 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

PR needs to push at least a run across here.

42. Good cripple hitter posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Warming up in the bullpen is - who else? - Octavio Dotel.

43. AT-AT at bat@AT&T posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

rain checklist :
batter hit by pitch
second batter hit by pitch
umpire hit by pitch
umpire and catcher hit by mud
pitcher slips (and falls)
pitcher drops ball
runner overslides 2nd by 8 feet
infielder slips, gets hit by ball in face
outfielder slips, gets hit by ball in face
pop fly disappears in cloud, never to return to the face of the earth
travis appear and sing their famous song

44. Bitter Calculus Instructor posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

2 outs away from an official game. That said, it play does get stopped, I doubt they call it. The 2008 World Series clause will likely be invoked.

45. Gamingboy posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The 2008 World Series clause will likely be invoked.

Where they don't call the game, just delay it indefinitely?

46. RollingWave posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Angel pagan, please be a hero

47. Bitter Calculus Instructor posted on March 19, 2013 at 09:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

[45] Yeah, after the 2008 WS, it was added to the rule book that a playoff game could not be shortened by rain. It didn't actually need to be used since the Rays and Phillies were tied at the time their game got suspended, but Selig did say afterwards that he would have overruled a rain shortened victory.

48. Tschingsch posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

What would be the reasoning against delaying the game to tomorrow? I realize that there are travel plans and a lot of fans who already scheduled flights to leave tomorrow (which would have been me had I been able to go), but those people wouldn't really be "missing" anything, since the alternative would be stopping the game early.

49. The Clarence Thomas of BBTF (scott) posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Damnit!

50. Bitter Calculus Instructor posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Wow, if gameday is right, Pagan just swung at two pitches around his ankles.

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Freeman was set to play for Canada

Reader Comments and Retorts

Wbc Think Factory