Japan Wins, But Cuba Rallies

In classic fashion, Japan won the Inaugural World Baseball Classic final yesterday beating Cuba 10-6. Japan didn’t wait, they surged to a 4-0 lead, but Cuba rallied in the eight inning. But, the teamwork of Japan, Ichiro and their leader, World Baseball Great Sadaharu Oh, they held off Cuba and won 10-6.

Cuba Can Change

Japan is known for their work ethic that can surpass any nation. Cuba, controlled by Communist Leader Fidel Castro, fought their way into the Classic and should be proud of what they accomplished. If Cuba changed their political views their baseball players could elevate to the next level of play — Major League Baseball.

2009, Next Classic

So, we will have to wait until 2009 for the next World Baseball Classic, which was created to showcase the World to Baseball. Tournaments will take place once every four years and MLB’s goal is to increase the number of Baseball Federations. In time, we may have a World Baseball League competing against the Major Leagues.

WBC Championship Game

PETCO Park, San Diego California

9:00 p.m. (EST)

Television Coverage: ESPN

Radio Coverage: ESPN Radio

JAPAN

Ichiro Suzuki, RF., Munenori Kawasaki, SS., Norichika Aoki, CF., Nobuhiko Matsunaka, DH., Takahiro Arai, 1B., Akinori Iwamura, 3B., Kazuhiro Wada, LF., Ryoji Aikawa, C., and Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B.

Pitchers: Koji Uehara, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Shunsuke Watanabe.

CUBA

Ariel Pestano, C., Michel Enriquez, 3B., Yulieki Gourriel, 2B., Eduard Paret, SS., Joan Carlos Pedroso, 1B., Frederich Cepeda, LF., Yoandy Garlobo, DH., Alexei Ramirez, RF., Carlos Tabares, CF.

Pitchers: Ormari Romero, Pedro Luis Lazo and Yadel Marti.

I still predict Japan to win, however for Cuba this is also their shining moment, when the United States Government blocked them from playing and reversed their decision.

This is it.

After a politically filled tug-of-war over Cuba’s inclusion into the World Baseball Classic, they are in the Championship game after a stunning defeat of the Dominican Republic. This is more than a game, this is Cuba’s time to shine.

They will be playing Japan and the legendary manager of that team, Sadaharu Oh. I believe that Japan will give Cuba a run for their money. This goes to show everyone that Cuban baseball is important as is their political affiliation. We will see the outcome tomorrow.

My original WBC winner, the Dominican Republic, was sent home. Now I must say Japan will win, but Cuba will also win for its country. They already have shown true gamesmanship.

The Final Game

March 20 9:00 p.m. ET

• Japan vs. Cuba
• PETCO Park, San Diego, CA.

San Diego, CA PETCO Park 3/18

3:00 p.m. Game

• Cuba
• Dominican Republic

10:00 p.m. Game

• Japan
• Korea

WBC Batting Leaders Top 5

1. Adam Stern CAN .667
2. Ken Griffey, Jr., USA .524
3. Brett Williamburg RSA .500
4. Yoandy Garlobo CUB .471
5. Jason Bay CAN .455

Pitching Leaders Top 5

1. Adam Loewen CAN 1-0 0.00 ERA
2. Kelvim Escobar VEN 1-1 0.00 ERA
3. Chan Ho Park KOR 0-0 0.00 ERA
4. Jason Grilli ITA 1-0 0.00 ERA
5. Carlos Silva VEN 0-0 0.00 ERA

Bye, Bye USA

Well, this is it.

Team USA and the dream Buck Martinez had, was stopped short by Team Mexico. Now, George Steinbrenner can breath a sight of relief. Johnny Damon will be OK. Jeter has no black eyes and A-Rod is ready for the hot corner.

I must say, I enjoyed the Classic. It was a breath of fresh air for a long and drawn out winter. Now, with the hoopla over this weekend, the regular MLB season can start.

November is Better

One thing that must be pointed, and as I said in the past, November is much better for the World Baseball Classic. I wrote about this back in January and again, with the platform of MLBLogs, reiterate that the timing of this was not good. My mind was put to rest when Chipper Jones told Long Island Newsday that the "Classic should be moved to the fall." His main concern, as is mine, is that the players are in "game-shape" and "injuries will probably be minimal." I also don’t blame George Steinbrenner being concerned for Johnny Damon; after all, he’s under contract with the Yankees and not Team USA.

All I ask is that the Classic is kept alive and going, but just move it to November after the World Series.

It will be a homerun for everyone.

Pool 1

1. Korea 2-0 KOR 7, USA 3
2. Japan 1-1 JPN 6, MEX 1
3. United States 1-1 KOR 7, USA 3
4. Mexico 0-2 JPN 6, MEX 1

Pool 2

1. Dominican Republic 2-1 DOM 2, VEN 1
2. Puerto Rico 1-1 VEN 6, PUR 0
3. Cuba 1-1 DOM 7, CUB 3
4. Venezuela 1-2 DOM 2, VEN 1

Here’s the current WBC team batting & pitching standings.

WBC Team Batting

1. Japan .356
2. United States .337
3. Cuba .314
4. Dominican Republic .314
5. Korea .313
6. Puerto Rico .302
7. Mexico .297
8. Canada .279
9. Chinese Taipei .265
10. Netherlands .265
11. South Africa .253
12. Venezuela .235
13. Italy .200
14. China .185
15. Panama .165
16. Australia .113

WBC Team Pitching

1. Korea 3-0 1.00 ERA
2. Puerto Rico 3-0 1.08 ERA
3. Mexico 2-1 2.42 ERA
4. Dominican Republic 3-0 3.00 ERA
5. Japan 2-1 3.00 ERA
6. United States 2-1 3.13 ERA
7. Venezuela 2-1 3.33 ERA
8. Italy 1-2 4.30 ERA
9. Panama 0-3 5.19 ERA
10. Cuba 2-1 5.67 ERA
11. Netherlands 1-2 6.48 ERA
12. Chinese Taipei 1-2 6.84 ERA
13. Australia 0-3 6.85 ERA
14. Canada 2-1 7.33 ERA
15. China 0-3 9.72 ERA
16. South Africa 0-3 13.50 ERA

Round 2 Pool 1: Anaheim, California

• 3/12 Japan vs. United States Angel Stadium
• 3/12 Mexico vs. Korea Angel Stadium
• 3/13 United States vs. Korea Angel Stadium
• 3/14 Japan vs. Mexico Angel Stadium
• 3/15 Korea vs. Japan Angel Stadium
• 3/16 United States vs. Mexico Angel Stadium

Pool 2 San Juan, Puerto Rico

• 3/12 Pool C Runner-up vs. Venezuela Hiram Bithrom Stadium
• 3/12 Pool C Winner vs. Dominican Republic Hiram Bithrom Stadium
• 3/13 Dominican Republic vs. Pool C Runner-up Hiram Bithrom Stadium
• 3/13 Venezuela vs. Pool C Winner Hiram Bithrom Stadium
• 3/14 Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic Hiram Bithrom Stadium
• 3/15 Pool C Runner-up vs. Pool C Winner Hiram Bithrom Stadium

After that, then the finals will be played at PETCO Park in San Diego, California.

WBC Standings Pool B, C & D

Pool B

1. Canada 2(W) 0(L) CAN 8, USA 6
2. Mexico 1(W) 1(L) MEX 10, RSA 4
3. United States 1(W), 1(L) CAN 8, USA 6
4. South Africa 0(W), 2(L) MEX 10, RSA 4

Pool C

1. Puerto Rico 2, 0 PUR 8, NED 3
2. Cuba 1, 0 CUB 8, PAN 6
3. Netherlands 0, 1 PUR 8, NED 3
4. Panama 0, 2 CUB 8, PAN 6

Pool D

1. Dominican Republic 2, 0 DOM 8, ITA 3
2. Venezuela 1, 1 VEN 6, ITA 0
3. Italy 1, 2 DOM 8, ITA 3
4. Australia 0, 1 ITA 10, AUS 0

Batting Leaders Top 5

1. Yulieski Gourriel CUB .750
2. Adam Stern CAN .714
3. Raylinoe Legito NED .667
4. Brett Willemburg RSA .625
5. Karim Garcia MEX .600

Pitching Leaders Top 5

1. Adam Lowen CAN 1, 0 0.00
2. Bartolo Colon DOM 1, 0 0.00
3. Elmer Demens MEX 0,0 0.00 2.0 IP
4. Chan Ho Park KOR 0,0 0.00 4.0 IP
5. Freddy Garci VEN 1, 0 0.00

Here’s the WBC standing up-to-date:

Pool B

1. United States 1(W), 0(L) USA 2, MEX 0
2. Canada 0(W), 0(L)
3. South Africa 0(W), 0(L)
4. Mexico 0(W), 1(L) USA 2, MEX o

Pool D

1. Dominican Republic 1(W), 0(L) DOM 11, VEN 5
2. Australia 0(W), 0(L)
3. Italy 0(W), 0(L)
4. Venezuela 0(W), 1(L) DOM 11, VEN 5

Team Pitching

1. United States 1-0 0.00 ERA
2. Korea 3-0 1.00 ERA
3. Mexico 0-1 2.25 ERA
4. Japan 2-1 3.00 ERA
5. Dominican Republic 1-0 5.00 ERA
6. Chinese Taipei 1-2 6.84 ERA
7. China 0-3 9.72 ERA
8. Venezuela 0-1 10.00 ERA

Team Batting

1. Japan .356
2. Dominican Republic .333
3. Korea .313
4. Venezuela .286
5. Chinese Taipei .265
6. United States .207
7. China .185
8. Mexico .138

KIRBY PUCKETT #1 TWIN

Today is a sad day in baseball, with the passing of Kirby Puckett. I remember as a young sportswriter, I interviewed New York Times Sports Columnist Ira Berkow and we talked about Kirby Puckett. How for such a small person, he was one of the best in the game. He’ll be missed and we’ll remember Kirby Puckett for his style of play. RIP Kirby, we miss you already!