Tagged: World Baseball Classic

The Next March Maddness

Okay no one has got the trivia yet but I have a good felling some one will get it by Friday.

***********************************************************************************************************Wow. Did not see that coming. Spotting their “Halloween”, orange and black uniforms the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic not once, but twice! Then a few hours before that Italy knocked out team Canada! Then today Venezuela beat the USA! Well its March and there is madness. Could the World Baseball Classic become the next March Madness? I really do not think so. Maybe next time but not right now. Now if the WBC guys wanted less upsets maybe they could turn each game into a best of three series. The only flaw with that is less guys would want to play. I like the upsets though. I mean the Netherlands have to major league players; Rick Vanden Hurk, and Greg Malman. They do have ten prospects on their roster though. The Dominican Republic has twenty major league guys and six free agents. Moises Alou, the long time veteran outfielder said after the WBC he would retire. Well he might be wishing he did not say that. Alou wanted to go with a bang but went out with a whimper. Now if this had happened once some might call it luck. But they beat the twice so is it still luck? I honestly say yes. I think the Dominican Republic just underestimated the Netherlands and then they still underestimated them in the second game. Now the Netherlands will have their hands full now though. In pool two they have to face the U.S.A., Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. I think the U.S.A. and Puerto Rico will win this pool. 

Now the Italy beating Canada was not as bad but still an upset. Italy has five major league guys and nine prospects. Canada has ten major league players and fifteen minor league players. Now sure Canada only has ten players but these are guys like Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, and Russell Martin. When was the last time you have heard of Chris Denorfia? Exactly. He is a backup outfielder on the Athletics. Really the only guy you might have known was Mike Piazza, the hitting coach. You also might have heard of Twins shortstop Nick Punto or Texas Ranger’s outfielder Frank Catalanotto.
Team Italy at European Championships 2007
Now this was the least of the upsets so far. Venezuela beat the U.S.A. tonight five to three. The U.S.A. did not have their A game tonight as seven batters did not get a hit. I am sure the U.S.A. just did not want to have someone get hurt or something. Every player on the U.S.A. team is in the majors. Venezuela has eighteen major league players and four minor league players. The bullpen though is their one flaw. Well it was not tonight. The only major league players in the bullpen are Ramon Ramirez (not the one on the Red Sox, he is on the Reds) and K-Rod. Your bullpen could stink but if you have K-Rod in their he turns it good . . . on second thought it does not. The bullpen is one of the most important things in baseball and if you do not believe me look at the Mets. The U.S.A. has an outstanding bullpen with four closers and one of if not the best setup man in MLB J.J. Putz. You see the U.S.A. has everything on a good night; pitching, defense, speed, and bats. That is why they will be the 2009 World Baseball Classic Champions.
57020786.jpg
*******************************************************************
All right here is today’s hint for the question, “Who threw the first no hitter under lights?”
So far the hints are . . .
1- It can be any league or country.
2- I have known the answer my whole life.
3- He does not have a wikipedia page.
4- He has a common last name.
5- He played for the Kansas City Blues and the Indianapolis Indians.
6- He was in the Yankees’ and Mets’ farm system at the same time.
7- He played for two different Yankee farm system teams.
8- He stopped playing in 1935 to work on a railroad so he could make more money during the great depression.

Today’s hint is, He played for the Quincy Gems and the league ha played in was the American Association. Good Luck! 

Photo Credits

1- asia.news.yahoo.com
2- mister-baseball.com
3- padres.mlblogs.com

Position Problems

Congrats to wezz over at Major League Baseball: Through the Eyes of a UK Red Sox Fan for getting the answer to yesterday’s trivia. The question was Which pitcher holds the major league record for most grand slams allowed (10)? The answer was hall of famer, Nolan Ryan.

****************************************************************************************************

So the World Baseball Classic is officially underway, yet two teams have position problems. The USA and the Dominican Republic.

United States of America

Who is going to be team USA’s closer. There are so many options. So I decided the best way to decide would be to look at every candidate.

-Brian Fuentes

The main reason that there is a hole hear is because of him and Joe Nathan. Nathan decided to skip the classic while Fuentes said he will only participate if the USA goes on to the second round due to family issues. Fuentes just signed with the Angels this offseason. Fuentes was a three time all-star with the Rockies. Odds 4-1 The fact that he will not be in the first round opens up the door to someone else but he could become the closer in the second round.

–Heath Bell

Bell does not have much experience at closer. His whole carer he has been a setup man and because Trevor Hoffman signed with the Brewers he became closer for the Padres. Bell only has two saves in his five year carer. Odds 25-1 Bell might work for the Padres but he will not work for team USA.

-Jonathan Broxton

Last season the Dodgers had two closers, Takashi Saito and Broxton. Now that Saito signed with the Red Sox Broxton is the Dodgers only closer. Broxton can bring some heat and is a gamer. He handles the pressure great. Odds 7-1 The only thing that hurts his chances are the fact that he does not have as much experience as some other guys on the team.

-J.J. Putz

Putz is a great choice. He has experience which this team kind of lacks. He knows how to handle pressure and can throw heat. The Mets have a gift with Putz because now they have three all-star closers. Billy Wagner, Fransisco Rodriguez, and Putz. Odds 3-1. Putz is a lot like Broxton just Putz has more experience. It is very possible that team USA will switch off between Fuentes and Putz. 

-Brad Ziegler

You probably remember Ziegler. I mean he tossed 39 scoreless innings last year in a row as a rookie! Ziegler has a slight advantage because he throws sidearm and it is possible that some players from other countries have never seen a sidearmer pitch. The one thing that seems to kill everyone’s chances is experience. Last year was Ziegler’s first. He pitched in 47 games with eleven saves. Odds 10-1 Ziegler is very promising but I just do not think he is ready just yet to be the closer in the WBC.

Dominican Republic

All right I am sure by know that you have all seen that A-Roid will not be playing in the WBC due to a torn labrum in his hip. So that opens third base up. So here are his possible replacements.

-Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre is the only other third baseman on team Dominican Republic’s roster. Last season he made fourteen errors at third and won a Golden Glove. He also has a good bat. In 2008 he hit .266 with 25 home runs. Odds 6-1 The fact that he is the only other third baseman helps him a ton.

-Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is a second baseman for the Yankees and has played a total of zero games at third base. He has a .982 carer fielding percentage at second though. His bat is decent. Last season he hit .271 with fourteen home runs. Odds 25-1 He has never played a single game at third which just ruins his chances. He he was faster or had a better glove I might make the odds 15-1 but he would still not get the job.

-Hanley Ramirez

Hanley Ramirez is a regular shortstop and has played zero games at third base. The three things that help him though are his glove, bat, a wheels. Ramirez made only twenty-two errors last season at shortstop. His bat is great too. In 2008 he hit .301 with 33 home runs, and 67 RBI’s. The last thing that helps him is he is fast. He stole 35 bases last year. Odds 8-1 I really have nothing bad to say about him but he just has not played at third base.

-Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is the shortstop for the Mets and is another guy who has played zero games at third base. Reyes though has a great glove. He made only seventeen errors at shortstop in 2008. He is a great contact hitter and his .297 average kind of proves it. Reyes also stole 56 bases last season! Odds 17-1 Reyes has all the tools of a third baseman but just doesn’t have enough power in my opinion. He also will probably be the starting shortstop.

-Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada is the shortstop for the Houston Astros and has played one game of third base back in 1999 with the Oakland A’s. Not a single ball was hit to him though. Tejada did not have the best season ever last year but did manage to hit .283 with thirteen home runs, and 66 RBI’s. He also stole seven bases. Odds 4-1 Tejada played third in a game against the Cardinals and did not make an error. 

****************************************************************************************************

All right here is today’s question. “Who is credited with being the first fielder to wear sunglasses at his position.”

Hint- His last name is the first name of a NFL star

Photo Credits

-Sorry guys no photos this time. Extra the next few days, I promise.

World Baseball Classic- Red Sox Style

First- I’m sorry I didn’t blog yesterday I am taking this boring five day test over math, writing, reading comprehension, science, and tons more.
Second- The real news in baseball isn’t the World Baseball Classic, it is Barry Bonds! Click here to read this shocking story about him.
Third- Jeff Kent the legendary second baseman retired today. Kent has a pretty good shot at getting into the baseball hall of fame. More on that soon hopefully.
Forth- Jonathan Pabelbon avoided arbitration by signing a one year, $6.25 million dollar deal. Boston also signed Javier Lopez. Theo Epstein has yet to go in to arbitration with any player since becoming G.M. of the Red Sox. More on that soon.
Fifth- The Dodgers signed Jonathan Broxton and Russell Martin avoiding arbitration.
Sixth- The Red Sox traded David Aardsma to the Mariners for Fabian Williamson.
The Boston Red Sox have eleven major league players and five minor league players on the World Baseball Classic provisional rosters.
Jason Bay- Bay played for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. In three games Bay hit .455, with zero home runs, drove in none, and had five hits. Last season Bay hit .286, with 31 home runs, drove in 101, and had 165 hits. Bay will be a great move for team Canada. While he didn’t have great stats in 2006 I think he will have a good 2009 World Baseball Classic. 
George Kottaras- Kottaras will join Jason Bay on team Canada. Kottaras didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season in three games with the Red Sox he hit .200, had one hit, with no home runs, RBI’s, or stolen bases. The Red Sox will watch Kottaras carefully as a test to see how he does against major league talent.
Javier Lopez- Lopez will play for team Puerto Rico. Lopez did not participate in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season with Boston he had a two and zero record, with a 2.43 ERA, and 38 strikeouts. Lopez should help team Puerto Rico. He would give team Puerto Rico a pretty good relief pitcher.
Mike Lowell-  Lowell will join Javier Lopez on team Puerto Rico. Lowell will play in the World Baseball Classic for his first time. Last year with Boston he hit .274, with 17 home runs, 73 RBI’s, and had 115 hits. The Red Sox will watch Lowell closely to see how his hip is. If it gets bad they may tell Lowell to sit out a game or sit on the bench for the rest of the tournament. I think his hip will be fine though.
Daisuke Matsuzaka- Dice-K will play for team Japan. Dice-K played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He had three wins no losses, an ERA of 1.28, and ten strike outs. Dice-K was a vital part in helping Japan win in 2006. He also won MVP in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last year with the Red Sox he had a record of 18-3, with 154 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.90. I think Dice-K will do fine in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Hideki Okajima- Okajima will join Dice-K on team Japan. Okajima didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he had a three and two record, with an ERA of 2.61, 60 strikeouts, and one save. Okajima will be great playing for Japan. he could help them to win another title, but the USA will win.
David Ortiz- Ortiz will play for team Dominican Republic. In 2006 while playing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic he hit .150, with three home runs, five RBI’s, and three hits in twenty at bats. Having three hits and three home runs means that all of his hits were home runs. In 2008 with the Red Sox he hit .264, with 23 home runs, 89 RBI’s, and 110 hits. Ortiz has a hurt wrist so he might not be able to play. He also is listed on the list of Red Sox players in the classic but not on the list of players for team Dominican Republic on MLB.com which is strange.
 Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Dominican Republic celebrated after hitting a home run in the second inning against Venezuela during the first round of the World Baseball Classic at The Ballpark at Disney on March 7 in Kissimmee, Fla.
Dustin Pedroia- Pedroia will play for my favorite team, team USA! Pedroia did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he hit .326, with 17 home runs, 83 RBI’s, and stole twenty bases. He also won a golden glove, a silver slugger, and a MVP. Pedroia should be a  upgrade for team USA. In 2006 the USA had Chase Utley at second base.
Ramon Ramirez- Roman Ramirez will possibly join David Ortiz on team Dominican Republic. Ramirez didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Ramirez was traded from Kansas City to Boston for Coco Crisp this offseason. While with the Royals last year he had a record of three and two, with a 2.64 ERA, one save, and 70 strikeouts. The Red Sox will look at him if David Ortiz plays to see if any chemistry forms between them. As we all know ( Well not the Y*****s) chemistry wins championships.
Kevin Youkilis- Youkilis will join Dustin Pedroia on team USA making the left side of the infield all Red Sox. Youkilis did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Cassic. Last season Youk hit .312, with 115 RBI’s, 29 home runs, and stole three bases. He also started at first base in the 2008 all star game at Yankee Stadium. Youk will be a great ascent to team USA in 2009.
The World Baseball Classic is a time where Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, and even Red Sox and Y*****s (Hey I’m serious about not putting the Y word in my entries) unite and cheer for Pedroia, Jeter, Derrek Lee, Carlos Quentin, Joe Saunders, and Jonathan Broxton on team USA.

Ortiz watched his second inning home run clear the fence as his team faced Venezuela in their World Baseball Classic first round game. At left is Venezuela's catcher Ramon Hernandez.Team USA shortstop Derek Jeter blew a bubble after throwing to first for a double play while forcing out Mexico's Luis Alfonso Garcia. Team USA won 2-0 on Tuesday.

Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk

First- Michael Young will move to third and will not be asked to be traded. Don’t ask me about this one.

Second- Scott Kamir and J.P. Howell, bot Tampa Bay Rays will play in the World Baseball Classic.
Third- David Eckstein signed with the Padres.
Forth- Big Papi (no not me) hopes to play for the Dominican.
Fifth- Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, and Prince Fielder went for arbitration.
Sixth- This has nothing to do with baseball but my phone broke yesterday. 😦 Today I got one of those AT&T go phones. I don’t like it so much but it was twenty bucks and I can get an upgrade (a new phone) in July when I’m at summer camp.
Seventh- I found this cool link. http://www.redsoxdiehard.com/players/unifnums.html 
Sorry I don’t know how to make website URL’s into words. it has every single player to play for the Red Sox by number. A useful tool when dedicating your ranking to a player’s number. No one really good wore #28. So I’m going to dedicate it to Doug Mirabelli. 
Kevin Youkilis signed a four year, $40 million dollar contract with an option for 2013 with the Red Sox. The deal hasn’t been made official. Youk finished third in the 2008 AL MVP voting and the person who won, Dustin Pedroia, got a deal with Boston six weeks ago. When my sister first went to a game at Fenway and Youk was up I said YOUK, she didn’t know what see was doing and said BOO. People just stared at her. Imagine that a girl in Red Sox gear booing Youk! This season he hit .312, with 29 home runs, and drove in 115. Youkilis won the 2007 Gold Glove at first base. In 2008 he won the Hank Aaron award. Youkilis will play for team U.S.A. in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Youk can play gold glove defense at first or third which is great for the team. Youk made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on May, 15, 2004. He was not apart of the 2004 World Series team though. He was apart of the 2007 World Series winning team though. Youk had carer highs in batting average, home runs, runs, RBI’s, at bats, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, and slugging percentage. He also started at first base in the 2008 all-star game at Yankee Stadium. I was surprised that Youk will only get paid 10 million a season. I thought it would be around $15 million to $20 million. Maybe it is due to the economy . . . on second thought it is due to the economy. One thing is for sure. If there was a best go-tee award, Youk would win it hands down. I mean just look at that thing.
Kevin Youkilis by NGottwald.

Not Bad For An 11 Year Old

Tonight I went to mlblogs and saw that mlblogosphere was under most recent activity. I clicked wondering what was new on it. I noticed the cool profile picture. 

I then noticed that it was a new latest leader’s list. I then started scrolling down and praying that Eat, Sleep, Baseball would be on there and I was so excited to see this.


I was so happy! It was the first time I’ve been on the latest leader list. I have been working so hard lately. Yesterday I did eight entries in a day! Here is the whole list.

FAN MLBLOGS

1. Red State Blue State 
2. Confessions of a She-Fan
30. Hardball
31. Love of The Game: Through 2 Different Pairs of Eyes
32. Bjarkman’s Latino and Cuban League Baseball History Page
33. Diamondhacks
34. Cardinal Girl
35. The Brewer Nation
36. The 1 Constant…Baseball
37. Phillies Red Pinstripes
38. Pick Me Up Some Mets!
39. Baby Paul’s Baseball Blog
40. Statistician Magician

MLB PRO BLOGS

15. Newberg Report
16. MLBlogosphere
21. Red Sox Insider Blog
22. Major League Bastian
23. Ben’s Biz Blog
24. Inside the White Sox
25. MLB.com Organizational Report
26. got milb?
27. Dining with ‘Dre
28. B3: Big, Bald and Beautiful
29. Vine Line’s Cubs Blog
30. Bally’s Blog
31. Twins Ballpark Update
32. Behind the Mask
33. Trade Talk
34. Yankee Stadium Memories
35. Siguiendo a los Mets
36. Down the Line with the Phillies Ballgirls
37. A ‘Braves’ New World
38. MURRAY COOK’S FIELD BLOG
39. A’s Thru Z
40. Shane Victorino’s Postseason Blog

Congrats Julia, Ben, Mark, Kaybee, Baby Paul, Elizabeth, Amazin86er, and others on making the list. Thanks to all readers and commenters.

On January, 12, 2009 at 6:53 I got my 100th comment! Thanks all commenters and readers (again) for 100 comments and 28th on the latest leader list. So today I got 100 comments, was 28th on the latest leader list, and got on the front page of mlblogs for doing eight entries in one day about the baseball hall of fame. Not bad for an eleven year old. Also Mike Schmidt will coach team USA in the World baseball Classic.