The Team USA Thread for the WBC

[Jake83]

For USA fans making the trip to Arizona or Southern California I believe we should have an offical song for Baseball Fever members for the US.


Hey (Country we are playing)

We have Jeter

Hey ............

Is that a Double A you have at shortstop

Hey ..............

We have the Rocket

Hey ................

Who is that beer leaguer you have on the mound

Hey ..............,

We have A-Rod

Hey ...............

Your 3rd basemen could not even play for the Royals

Hey ..................

We are the US of A we invented baseball

Hey ..................

Why don't you stick to ( What Ever their major sport is)

Hey we are the US of A

There is Jeter

There is the Rocket

There is A-Rod

Hey we are the US of A

and Who the f.... are you

[GiantPickle]

If we depend on the Rocket, I think we will not make out of the second round. For the record, how old is he?:laugh

USA would be better of with the young guns rather than using Grandpa.

[Kiefer]

If I were the manager this would be my line-up.:gt

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez DH
Griffey LF
Lee 1B
Jones 3B
Wells RF
Varitek C
Utley 2B

[Nomtoc]

I have Jetter's rookie card if anyone wants to trade.

[Cubano100%]

If I were the manager this would be my line-up.:gt

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez DH
Griffey LF
Lee 1B
Jones 3B
Wells RF
Varitek C
Utley 2B


No Michael Young in 2B!

[Kiefer]

No Michael Young in 2B!

I prefer Utley because he is a left-handed hitter.

[Andruw]

Team USA to announce roster Tuesday

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060210&content_id=1309877&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

[Williamsburg2599]

Ok, now im a die hard Soxs fan, and i hate the Yankees with a passion, but.... I think that all tensions between redsox and yankee fans should be dropped (temparily!) for the WBC. Agree?

[DownUnderDodger]

Ok, now im a die hard Soxs fan, and i hate the Yankees with a passion, but.... I think that all tensions between redsox and yankee fans should be dropped (temparily!) for the WBC. Agree?
I guess that all depends on how much the star spangled banner means to fans over and above team loyalty. If I was American I would be with you all the way - playing for my country stands ahead of team loyalty here!!

[Bonus]

I guess that all depends on how much the star spangled banner means to fans over and above team loyalty. If I was American I would be with you all the way - playing for my country stands ahead of team loyalty here!!

This will be a learning process for most American baseball fans, who have never been treated to a real world cup. The closest analogy might be the first basketball Dream Team, which succeeded in winning over Americans even though it was a collection of players who you were required to hate unless you happened to root for their club teams (e.g. Barkley, Mailman, Bird, Jordan, and Pippen). Of course, any momentum that the Dream Team gained has been frittered away with the new generation of self-abosrbed, preening, cowardly, and unpatriotic players.

As a Red Sox fan, I have no problem rooting for A-rod, Jeter or Damon. I will turn on anyone, however, if they fail to play for national pride. Sheffield has proven exactly why I hate him, and he has done us all a favor by opting out of the WBC. So has his "creamy" mentor, Bonds. Hopefully, the WBC will transform baseball from a provincial sport, where Americans ignore nationality and judge the best by who gets paid the most, to an international sport, where the best players are expected to contribute on the international stage.

Right now, there are far too many Americans who don't know anything about the WBC, or who view it with the same curiosity that they might have for curling or the luge. I hope this changes.

[west coast orange and black]

yeah, it would be great if some attitudes changed, bonus.

[Bonus]

Here is the USA 30-man roster (http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060214&content_id=1310980&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc):

Starters (4):
Roger Clemens, Jacob Peavy, Dontrelle Willis and C.C. Sabathia.

Relievers (10):
Chad Cordero, Brian Fuentes, Todd Jones, Brad Lidge, Joe Nathan, Scot Shields, Huston Street, Mike Timlin, Billy Wagner and Dan Wheeler.

Catchers (3):
Michael Barrett, Brian Schneider and Jason Varitek.

Infielders (7):
Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Derrek Lee, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley and Michael Young.

Outfielders (6):
Johnny Damon, Jeff Francoeur, Ken Griffey Jr., Matt Holliday, Vernon Wells and Randy Winn.

It looks like a solid team, but certainly not the best the USA could have fielded. The biggest dissappointment is pitching.[FN1] The US's advantage is that it has more scary Cy Young winners than any other country. By leaving off guys like Andy Pettitte, Mark Buehrle, Mark Mulder (oops I forgot he's Dutch)[FN2], Barry Zito, Randy Johnson, Chris Carpenter, Roy Oswalt, Josh Beckett, Jon Garland, Tim Hudson, Mark Prior, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina and Jason Schmidt, we have really levelled the playing field with countries that only have 4 decent starters, if that. Bravo, USA, Bravo!

FN1: This is not to say that I am happy with the offensive squad. I personally think that Scott Podsednik's speed would have been a useful addition, not just for the outfield but also pinch running. I am not a big fan of selecting Chipper Jones over Morgan Ensberg or David Wright, especially cause Chipper has not been an effective switch hitter and also didn't play third for a couple of seasons.

FN2: The source of the confusion appears to be that Mulder is from South Holland, Illinois. Anyone could make that mistake.

[west coast orange and black]

as i understand it, bonus, the only pitcher who you listed who is on the provisional roster is pettitte.
the others simply did not make themselves available for team usa, or declined final roster consideration.

minus those who decided against final consideration, the 30-man squad was selected from a whopping 45 players.

here are the players named on the provisional roster who were not selected for the 30-man squad.
should any of the 30-man guys leave, only these 15 provisional players can be replacements.

pitchers
jeremy bonderman
roy halladay
dan haren
al leiter
gary majewski
andy pettitte
ben sheets
tim hudson*
bret myers*

catchers
paul lo duca
chad moeller
joe mauer*

infielders
eric chavez
craig counsell
morgan ensberg
bill hall
david wright
jimmy rollins*

outfielders
luis gonzalez
lance berkman*
carl crawford*


*declined consideration for the final roster

[Bonus]

as i understand it, bonus, the only pitcher who you listed who is on the provisional roster is pettitte. the others simply did not make themselves available for team usa, or declined final roster consideration.

Understood, west coast.

I am not saying that USA Baseball doesn't know how to name a team (well, I sort of am). I am saying that the players who opted out of consideration deserve blame. I lost all respect for the NBA when the so-called best players in the world like Kobe and T-Mac chickened out of Athens. I don't understand why so many baseball players are bowing out, and I don't care to. Bottom line: a player who turns his back on his country (even putting aside the moronic notion of having guys like Piazza play for Italy) loses a lot of respect. I think that right now, Dominicans, Cubans and Puerto Ricans are laughing at the US, who can't even get a clear majority of its players to play for it.

I will note that the problem goes beyond the US. I have heard reports that Nomar, Mariano Rivera, Hideki Matsui, Iguchi, Eric Gagne, etc. are opting out too. The truth might be that MLB or its owners are pressuing players not to play. The truth might be the baseball players have a bad attitude. The truth might be that players are scared of steroid testing under the WADA. Who knows.

[west coast orange and black]

the players are being pressured not to play, they are scared of steroid testing...

or it could simply be family considerations, health or wanting to participate in spring training with a new team, etc.

i guess it just comes down to how you feel about a player not participating.
me, i have no quarrels for any man to consider his livelihood, future earnings and many obligations when deciding.

"who knows" is right.

[west coast orange and black]

while we are at it though, buehrle, mulder, zito, johnson, carpenter, oswalt, beckett, garland, prior, maddux, mussina and schmidt did not make themselves available and there was hardly a word peeped about it.

that's called double-standard.

[Bonus]

west coast,

The family point is unavailing, since players generally have to report to spring training in February. Moreover, two of the groups (including the Group the US is in) are playing in Spring Training areas anyway.

The money thing is also unavailing, since baseball players are unique the world over for getting paid, even if they get hurt. American Football players risk career ending injuries playing in the Pro Bowl and other stupid exhibitions that ESPN televises. If the WBC were MTV Rock 'n' Jock Softball, I bet more players will play.

And I certainly did take note of the players who opted out, so there is no double-standard from my perspective. (I will concede a lone exception: Mulder was named only for Holland and not the US, which led me to believe that he would play for Holland. I did not criticize him for this decision. The fact that after all that, he bowed out of playing for Holland suggests that he is a shiftless creep worthy of criticism). If the press is silent, it is because of my earlier point, that Americans don't even know what the heck is going on. However, when Johan Santana is outpitching CC Sabathia, I think that the average American fan will naturally ask, "where are all of our pitchers with sub-4.00 ERAs"?

[west coast orange and black]

though the u.s. team plays here in the states, mlb players on other squads will be outside the u.s. in tokyo and puerto rico. also, many players site family considerations when signing with a particular team. players on the u.s. team that would normally participate in the cactus and grapefruit leagues will not necessarily find themselves in arizona and florida, respectively. that can be a hardship or at least a difficulty.

re money: not limited to the present, but earning money over the length of a career.

i respect that you took note of those who opted out and that you have no double-standard on this. but very few in the media and very few fans, even here at bb-f, have commented on the numerous players who did not make themselves available for wbc play. to me, that is a double-standard.

[Cubano100%]

as i understand it, bonus, the only pitcher who you listed who is on the provisional roster is pettitte.
the others simply did not make themselves available for team usa, or declined final roster consideration.

minus those who decided against final consideration, the 30-man squad was selected from a whopping 45 players.

here are the players named on the provisional roster who were not selected for the 30-man squad.
should any of the 30-man guys leave, only these 15 provisional players can be replacements.

pitchers
jeremy bonderman
roy halladay
dan haren
al leiter
gary majewski
andy pettitte
ben sheets
tim hudson*
bret myers*

catchers
paul lo duca
chad moeller
joe mauer*

infielders
eric chavez
craig counsell
morgan ensberg
bill hall
david wright
jimmy rollins*

outfielders
luis gonzalez
lance berkman*
carl crawford*


*declined consideration for the final roster


Luis Gonzalez is CubanAmerican so he should be playing for Cuba. His grandpa used to work for Tino Martinez's grandpa in the cigar factory he owned in Tampa. Hey if Mulder is Dutch Gonzalez is Cuban.

[RyneSandberg23]

If we depend on the Rocket, I think we will not make out of the second round. For the record, how old is he?:laugh

USA would be better of with the young guns rather than using Grandpa.
You have got to be freakin kidding me, right!?! He's only the best pitcher ever! Did you watch him play last year? He was practically unhittable. He should have had about 10 more wins too. The Stros didn't give him any run support. He is the best pitcher in the Classic and he's 40 plus yrs old I think.

[Cubano100%]

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez DH
Griffey LF
Lee 1B
Jones 3B
Wells RF
Varitek C
Utley/Young 2B


I think the USA has the best and most balanced lineup. Damon and Jeter are table settlers and are true leadoff hitters. Recent history have shown us that this type of teams are better than power teams only.


The Great Yankees run in the 1990s had Chuck Knoublack at the top with Jeter second.
The Marlins had Pierre and Castillo.
The White Sox had Podsecnik.

[Andruw]

Jeter 'really excited' to play in WBC

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060216&content_id=1313140&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

[Andruw]

WBC runs rings around Olympic ball
02/14/2006 4:44 PM ET
By Mike Bauman

Ironic, isn't it? Just days after the International Olympic Committee gave baseball the boot, American baseball unveiled the finest team it has ever fielded for international competition.
The World Baseball Classic is the baseball Olympics now. It promises to be a far more compelling competition than Olympic baseball ever was. The best baseball players in the world will be on display, including, for the first time, the best American players.

The United States roster was announced Tuesday. It is of a quality suitable to the inaugural classic. It says something about the internationalization of the sport that the team with the most mega-stars per capita may well be from the Dominican Republic. But the US team has no weaknesses visible to the naked eye.

Pitching, defense, speed, hitting for average, hitting for power -- it's a five-tool team. Roger Clemens, Jake Peavy, Dontrelle Willis, C.C. Sabathia among the starters; Chad Cordero, Brad Lidge, Joe Nathan, Huston Street, Billy Wagner among the relievers. Fourteen of the 30 players on the US roster are pitchers. This is probably the deepest bullpen in the history of the game.

Tons of accomplished hitting and defense in the infield, with Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Derrek Lee, Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley and Michael Young.

Plenty of options for hitting and/or defense in the outfield with Ken Griffey, Jr., Johnny Damon, Vernon Wells, Randy Winn, Jeff Francoeur, and Matt Holliday.

And a three-deep set of accomplished catchers: Jason Varitek, Brian Schneider and Michael Barrett.

The problem for Buck Martinez, manager of the US squad, will not be finding adequate talent. It will be finding innings for all of the talent. This will turn out to be more a situation than a problem.

"It's a pretty accomplished, pretty talented roster," Martinez said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. "This is our best foot forward with an opportunity to win this tournament."

Martinez said it was unfortunate that he could not find a way to name all 52 candidates to the US roster. The first US team in the World Classic reminds you of the All-Star Game or the Hall of Fame in that way; more deserving players than places for deserving players.

We all wonder what this tournament will mean for baseball. The real answer can't come until March. But one thing is clear: The IOC's decision to remove baseball from the Olympics serves not to diminish international baseball as much as it focuses increased attention on the Classic.

Baseball in the Olympics did not have a long history. It had only been a medal sport since 1992. Had baseball continued in the Olympics, the World Baseball Classic might have been seen as another international baseball competition. Now, it is the international baseball competition.

But this is not going to be the same situation that occurred at the 1992 Summer Games when US basketball, unhappy about losing with collegians in previous Olympics, unveiled the "Dream Team," a gathering of National Basketball Association stars. The 1992 Olympic tournament was a walkover for that group. This USA baseball team will encounter a much higher level of competition in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. And that again is a reflection of a game that has already transcended its origins and has gone international.

The US team will obviously be one of the favorites in the Classic, but there is significant star power elsewhere among the 16 nations in the tournament. The single thing to note about the US roster is that it is clearly good enough to represent the game's birthplace.

"The one thing I am most proud about is the character of the guys on this 30-man roster," Martinez said. "They have stepped up for their country."

Peavy, who has been selected by Martinez to start the opening game of the first round for the US, disputed the notion that players from other countries might care more about this event than the American players.

"I can tell you this right now," Peavy said in the conference call, "when we go out on that field, and you've got your country's name on your chest, it's going on be on. We're going to want to win this thing."

That would be the ideal American ending for baseball's first World Classic. No, it will not be the Olympics. It will be better than the Olympics. The first clue in that direction is the level of talent of the players on the first World Baseball Classic roster for the USA.

[Bonus]

C.C. Sabathia and Billy Wagner have pulled out of the WBC, and were formally replaced by Al Leiter "fluid" and Gary Majewski.

The US team goal has been officially downgraded to merely looking good in the uniforms.

[Andruw]

Team USA already jelling
All-Star group comes together in U.S. squad's first workout

http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060304&content_id=1334574&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

[Andruw]

U.S. notes: Selig wishes team well
Commissioner meets with players before Sunday's game
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

PHOENIX -- Before Team USA went out and even took a pitch in live action on Sunday, Commissioner Bud Selig visited the tight little U.S. cubbyhole of a clubhouse at Scottsdale Stadium and gave the 30 players his well-wishes for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
"It was interesting," Selig said when he visited the press box during the early innings of what turned out to be a 12-7 U.S. tuneup win over the San Francisco Giants. "I went down today because I just want to thank them. But I guess what I really wanted to say is how much this meant to me and to a lot of other people. I wish you could have heard their responses. It was just tremendous."

Many of the players are representing the U.S. for the first time in international competition. Matt Holliday was a member of the 2003 Olympic team that lost a qualifier to Mexico in Panama City. Michael Young, Dontrelle Willis, Roger Clemens, Jake Peavy and Vernon Wells all played for the Major League Baseball All-Star team that toured Japan in 2004. Derrek Lee made that trip in 2002.

Chipper Jones, whose third-inning two-run homer on Sunday was the first big blast for the U.S. in the tournament, said he has been waiting his entire career to put on a Team USA uniform.

"They didn't have baseball in the Olympics really when I was coming up," Jones said. "To me, this is a thrill of a lifetime."

Baseball didn't become a medal sport in the Olympics until 1992, and Major League-affiliated players didn't start playing for Team USA until the 1999 qualifying games in Winnipeg. The U.S. won the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia, with a team that included such future stars as Roy Oswalt, Ben Sheets and Brad Wilkerson.

Selig said he was an ardent U.S. rooter on Sunday, but that he would remain neutral for the remainder of the tournament.

"I don't mind telling you that I'm not going to forget this day for a long time," Selig said.

Second-round matchups: With Korea defeating Japan to win Pool A, the second round has already begun to shake out. Assuming that the U.S. wins one of the top two spots in Pool B play this week, Team USA manager Buck Martinez already knows which team the U.S. will play on March 12 at Anaheim's Angel Stadium, if it gets that far. Finish first in Arizona and the U.S. will play top-seeded Korea. Finish second and the Americans will play Japan, the surprising runner-up this weekend in Tokyo Dome.

"We knew Korea was going to be a tough team," Martinez said. "Chan Ho [Park] is throwing much better and Jae Seo is throwing much better. We know they're a challenge. But we think if Jake Peavy, Dontrelle Willis and Roger Clemens pitch like Peavy, Dontrelle and Roger, we'll be in good shape."

Stars and stripes: Chase Utley was the only U.S. player to go the extended 10 innings on Sunday and he had a 5-for-5 day, with a two-run homer and four singles. "I guess it's all downhill from here," he joked. Asked if he realized that he knew he was working on a perfect day at the plate, Utley said: "I didn't have to. The guys on the bench kept reminding me.". ... Martinez said at least one of his middle infielders is probably going to have to play the entire game each day. "I spoke to Chase about playing nine innings," Martinez said. "Later on I apologized. I said, 'Chase, I lied to you. You're going to have to play 10.' And he had a great day.". ... Al Leiter, the left-hander who was a late add to the team when C.C. Sabathia dropped out, did not. He came on in the third inning after Clemens left with a 6-0 lead and allowed four runs on five hits in his one inning of work. The U.S. eventually let the entire lead slip away. "I think it was just a matter of knocking some of the rust off," Martinez said. Leiter is slated to back up Willis in Game 2 of the series on Wednesday against Canada. ... Willie Mays visited with some of the U.S. players before the game and said he would definitely have played in the World Baseball Classic if it occurred in his day. Derek Jeter added that he was thrilled to meet Mays. "He asked to take a picture with me," Jeter said. "Willie Mays? That was a little different."

[Bonus]

(DON'T READ THIS OF YOU TIVOED OR DVRED THE US-CANADA GAME)

....the US is getting torched by Canada.

[Bonus]

...and then along comes Tek to hit a grand salami, which by the way is the United State's secret weapon.

[Erik Bedard]

'Tek is awesome, but CANADA IS STILL BETTER! (especially adam stern)

[efin98]

'Tek is awesome, but CANADA IS STILL BETTER! (especially adam stern)

This is the only real game in the first round for the US, more of a victory needed Canada than for the US. The real test was whether the US could be Mexico to earn a spot in the next round, and the US did that yesterday.

[Erik Bedard]

This is the only real game in the first round for the US, more of a victory needed Canada than for the US. The real test was whether the US could be Mexico to earn a spot in the next round, and the US did that yesterday.

Now wouldn't it be funny if South Africa beat the US tomorrow AND Canada beat Mexico AND Mexico beat South Africa tonight? Then the standings would look like this

Canada 3-0 (advances)
US 1-2
Mexico 1-2
South Africa 1-2

Depending on the scores, we might hypothetically see South Africa, high school junior and all, in the quarterfinals.

[efin98]

Now wouldn't it be funny if South Africa beat the US tomorrow AND Canada beat Mexico AND Mexico beat South Africa tonight? Then the standings would look like this

Canada 3-0 (advances)
US 1-2
Mexico 1-2
South Africa 1-2

Depending on the scores, we might hypothetically see South Africa, high school junior and all, in the quarterfinals.

Don't let your syrup get ahead of you there, South Africa is a good team but they are nowhere near the caliber that the US is at. It's not our fault Candada had a tough time beating them.

[Erik Bedard]

Don't let your syrup get ahead of you there, South Africa is a good team but they are nowhere near the caliber that the US is at. It's not our fault Canada had a tough time beating them.

Remember, this is all hypothetical. :D :D I know there is no way that South Africa will win, although it would definitely be interesting if they did.

[mikethegreat8899]

lol interesting is putting it mildly, i would not be suprised if the U.S. team was taken and publicly executed for losing back to back games to teams they easily should have beat.

[efin98]

lol interesting is putting it mildly, i would not be suprised if the U.S. team was taken and publicly executed for losing back to back games to teams they easily should have beat.

No, that's what Cuba will do.

[Cubano100%]

Where are you USA fans?


Many of you have given your opinions about Cuban baseball which many times have been compared to A ball.


Despite Cuba not being able to compete against the best in the world due to our political situation, we have shown we can compete. Our players do not see MLB even on TV. There is no ESPN in Cuba.

The Cuban team has an average age of 24 years. Specially, our pitchers are very young and some seem scared.


Warning: if some of you are going to critize other teams you better start with your own specially after the performance they have displayed so far in this Classic.

I only see silence from many of you. Is USA baseball vastly overrated?????

You are still in it because a controversial call from an umpire.:hp :hp :hp :ughh

[efin98]

Where are you USA fans?


Many of you have given your opinions about Cuban baseball which many times have been compared to A ball.


Despite Cuba not being able to compete against the best in the world due to our political situation, we have shown we can compete. Our players do not see MLB even on TV. There is no ESPN in Cuba.

The Cuban team has an average age of 24 years. Specially, our pitchers are very young and some seem scared.

They showed they can compete on the international level with the best of the best. They don't need pages of compliments, their box scores tell the story.


Warning: if some of you are going to critize other teams you better start with your own specially after the performance they have displayed so far in this Classic.

See other threads. Simple as that.

I only see silence from many of you. Is USA baseball vastly overrated?????

See other threads. Vast majority of content is there.

[Cubano100%]

If anyone don't feel like reading anythig about Threads on Cuban baseball and Cuban players don't read them. Many of you around the world have expressed your gratitute to me personally about the info I post. Believe me, it is a lot of work for me. The only reason I do this is to inform the world about who the Cuban players are because there is so little info about them.

[Andruw]

Bonds still could join Team USA!!

http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060314&content_id=1349996&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

[Mattingly]

efin98 and Cubano100%:

It seems to me that both of you two have some issues with one another. Would you two care to handle this privately via PM? If not, my only advice is for both of you two to stay away from one another and try not replying to questions posed openly to "all/everyone" by one another.

efin, I've already asked Cubano privately to stay away from yourself and I appreciate his co-operation on that part. It's up to you to do the same. If not, I'll have to contact you privately in the future.

Your choice.

-Matt
Where are you USA fans?

Many of you have given your opinions about Cuban baseball which many times have been compared to A ball.

Despite Cuba not being able to compete against the best in the world due to our political situation, we have shown we can compete. Our players do not see MLB even on TV. There is no ESPN in Cuba.

The Cuban team has an average age of 24 years. Specially, our pitchers are very young and some seem scared.
They showed they can compete on the international level with the best of the best. They don't need pages of compliments, their box scores tell the story.
Warning: if some of you are going to critize other teams you better start with your own specially after the performance they have displayed so far in this Classic.
See other threads. Simple as that.
I only see silence from many of you. Is USA baseball vastly overrated?????
See other threads. Vast majority of content is there.

[Mattingly]

If anyone don't feel like reading anythig about Threads on Cuban baseball and Cuban players don't read them. Many of you around the world have expressed your gratitute to me personally about the info I post. Believe me, it is a lot of work for me. The only reason I do this is to inform the world about who the Cuban players are because there is so little info about them.
Your efforts are appreciated. :)

Sometimes they're also discussed under Current Events, which many participants happen to like discussing everything and anything about baseball (WBC included). If I see anything there which may benefit from your help, I'll PM yourself and/or Agente Libre.

[efin98]

Bonds still could join Team USA!!

http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060314&content_id=1349996&vkey=wbc_news&fext=.jsp&sid=wbc

He was supposed to be one of the 25 guys out there playing, so he would be an obvious choice to add to the roster in the next round. I don't think he will actually join the team, and if he does join I think it may do alot of harm to the team. The batting order will have to be shifted and someone will end up being the odd man out. It could also harm the team chemistry that is growing, especially if Bonds does something spectacular to win the game for Team USA...

[Knick9]

So this is basically the pickle that USA is in:

A Japan loss/tie + USA win = USA advances

A Japan win that takes 9 innings and Japan scores less than 7 runs = USA eiliminated (that can be confusing, though)

A Japan loss/tie + USA loss/tie = Japan might advance (via tiebreaker, I'm sure of it)

A Japan win + USA win = (???)

A Japan loss + USA tie = USA advances
----

Some of those scenarios are very unlikely to happen, though. I'm just throwing them all out.

[Knick9]

The scenarios are now updated. Japan has lost, so it has gotten at least alittle more easier for USA to advance.

A Japan loss + USA win or tie = USA advances

A Japan loss + USA loss = Japan might still advance (via tiebreaker, I'm sure of it)

EDIT: I completely forgot about Mexico. If they beat USA, they might be involved in the tiebreakers somehow. Roger Clemens is on the mound and you know that he's going to bring it.

[efin98]

The scenarios are now updated. Japan has lost, so it has gotten at least alittle more easier for USA to advance.

A Japan loss + USA win or tie = USA advances

A Japan loss + USA loss = Japan might still advance (via tiebreaker, I'm sure of it)

EDIT: I completely forgot about Mexico. If they beat USA, they might be involved in the tiebreakers somehow. Roger Clemens is on the mound and you know that he's going to bring it.

Here's the official scenarios:

U.S. advances if:
It defeats Mexico
It loses to Mexico, allowing 1 run in a regulation game (8 innings in the field)
It loses to Mexico, but does not allow a 2nd run until after it has played 8 2/3 innings in the field
It loses to Mexico, but does not allow a 3rd run until after it has played 12 1/3 innings in the field
It ties with Mexico, allowing 3 runs in 14 innings
Japan advances if:
The U.S. loses to Mexico, and allows 2 runs or more before it has played 8 2/3 innings in the field
The U.S. loses to Mexico, and allows 3 runs or more before it has played 12 1/3 innings in the field
Mexico advances if:
It defeats the U.S., 3-0, in 13 innings