How good are Americans at baseball?

[windbag]

Don't worry. You're still the "world champions" of American football.

[RuthMayBond]

Don't worry. You're still the "world champions" of American football.You're the one who picked your nickname on the board :waving

[wu-tang clan]

americans suck. its all about the czech republic $$$$$.

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

americans suck.
NOT COOL that is completely uncalled for.

[Elvis]

I think he was kidding.

[Crusify_Me]

too many americans

go taiwanese players !!!!

chein-ming wang power

[Astro]

This topic is going to lead to trouble

[Crusify_Me]

lol but i really think there are to many americans in the league
if u take a look at each teams lineups its about 50-60% american
30-40% are from the caribean area and u got like 1 asian on the whole team..

[Astro]

lol but i really think there are to many americans in the league
if u take a look at each teams lineups its about 50-60% american
30-40% are from the caribean area and u got like 1 asian on the whole team..
Too many? Uhh I highly doubt owners care about if a player is American, Canadian, Japense, Chinese, Taiwanese, Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan, Dominican, Russian, Australian, South Americans, Martian or from the Moon

They want the best players, and since the US has 300 million people the chances of better players coming from the US as opposed to a country with a few million are much better

[Crusify_Me]

i guess u have a point there but i was hoping if the league had more of each variety of players from their nations it would encourage more people from all around the world to watch the major leagues or maybe even play

but then again its business too -_-

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

Since when does it matter what race and ethnicity a major league ball player is.

[Astro]

i guess u have a point there but i was hoping if the league had more of each variety of players from their nations it would encourage more people from all around the world to watch the major leagues or maybe even play

but then again its business too -_-
Its competition, teams want the best players

[Crusify_Me]

Its competition, teams want the best players

speaking of best players this might be the first time in a while that a canadian player might win the MVP award..

Justin Morneau that is :)

[Elvis]

speaking of best players this might be the first time in a while that a canadian player might win the MVP award..

Justin Morneau that is :)

Why care where somebody is from anyway? Once you step between the lines you are nationless, colorless, and creedless. You are a baseball player. I don't care if you're from Korea, Toronto, Miami, Puerto Rico, Tokyo, Queens or Mexico City. When you put on that uniform you're a Dodger, period.

[BoSox Rule]

lol but i really think there are to many americans in the league
if u take a look at each teams lineups its about 50-60% american
30-40% are from the caribean area and u got like 1 asian on the whole team..The game is played in America and there are 30-40% (if you're numbers are correct) from the DR, Puerto Rico, etc. I don't see it.

[MudvilleMike]

The only thing that I like about this troll is that he probably is interested in the World Baseball Classic. Japan may not be #1 in baseball, but they're currently the World Champions.

[Crusify_Me]

The only thing that I like about this troll is that he probably is interested in the World Baseball Classic. Japan may not be #1 in baseball, but they're currently the World Champions.

japans pretty awesome but not my favourite team lol =)

[MudvilleMike]

japans pretty awesome but not my favourite team lol =)

I was talking about the thread starter, windbag, who was clearly trolling. I wasn't talking about you.

He is correct that the USA is not "World Champion" of baseball at the moment, even though the WBC can't really determine who is best. Clearly, America is still #1 in baseball, but not "World Champions." I don't mind being teased about that.

[Mattingly]

lol but i really think there are to many americans in the league
if u take a look at each teams lineups its about 50-60% american
30-40% are from the caribean area and u got like 1 asian on the whole team..
So what did you expect each team's makeup to be, as to where the players came from?

I'm not sure what the official agreement (if any) between MLB and the various Asian countries (other than Japan) are. If you'd like Asian players, then baseball players from Korea, Hong Kong, PRC, Thailand, etc, would need to get in touch with MLB. If they were born here or live here, go to a baseball college, then if they got picked during the amateur draft, that may help.

Right now, while I'm a big proponent of diversity, my most important goal is to have the best players available. The diversity would be "icing on the cake" to me, like a welcome addition. Perhaps gravy for the meat and potatoes, but not the entrée.

americans suck. its all about the czech republic $$$$$.
If you could avoid using the highlighted word again, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thx. :)

[Crusify_Me]

He is correct that the USA is not "World Champion" of baseball at the moment, even though the WBC can't really determine who is best. Clearly, America is still #1 in baseball, but not "World Champions." I don't mind being teased about that.[/QUOTE]

ya i guess they still are but they sure have a hard time winning these international games these years.. (basketball too)

btw is the world baseball classic going to happen every year around that time?

[Seattle1]

There shouldn't be quotas. Whoever comes out for the team and wins the position on the merits of his play will get the job, completely and utterly regardless of his nationality.

[riverfrontier]

There are people on this board who question my posting. Seriously.

[Seattle1]

There are people on this board who question my posting. Seriously.

Sorry, I'm not following you.

[runningshoes]

speaking of best players this might be the first time in a while that a canadian player might win the MVP award..

Justin Morneau that is :)

Everyone knows Canadians are the best. :laugh

[SamtheBravesFan]

ya i guess they still are but they sure have a hard time winning these international games these years.. (basketball too)

btw is the world baseball classic going to happen every year around that time?

It'll happen again in 2009 and again in 2013.

[AutographCollector]

Too many americans in baseball in the US? I'm baffled. MLB is played in the US. So what would you like to see? No Americans, and 100% Hungarian particpation? Get outa here!

[Mattingly]

There are people on this board who question my posting. Seriously.
If someone doesn't understand your posting style, then simply elaborate and answer their question(s). Is that clear as mud by now?

Too many americans in baseball in the US? I'm baffled. MLB is played in the US. So what would you like to see? No Americans, and 100% Hungarian particpation? Get outa here!
With the only issue being that many people who call themselves "American" may also be from 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation folks from other countries.

[hubkittel]

Everyone knows Canadians are the best. :laugh

talk to larry walker-he'll tell you it's true. or maybe you're talking about hockey. or curling-canadians are really good at throwing the rock. ;)

[Dravecky43]

I don't know about saying the US isn't "World Champions". It really depends on what you're talking about. Now, I know it has been semi-established in this thread that we are talking about the WBC. But let me remind you that the US has won these tournaments during the past summer:

Olympic Qualifying Event (Professional Team, beat Cuba for the title in Cuba, no less)
FISU World Championships (National Team, college level, tournament was in Cuba)
COPABE Youth Pan Am Championships (Youth National Team, Soph. and Juniors in HS)
Women's world championships (Women's National Team)

The only team that didn't win a tournament was the Junior National Team (Seniors in high school), and they lost by one run to Korea in the IBAF Junior World Championships gold medal game.

So the US won three of the five World Championships (including the WBC), took the North/Central/South American championship (Pan Am) at one level, and barely finished second at another.

You tell me who the world champion is.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I don't know about saying the US isn't "World Champions". It really depends on what you're talking about. Now, I know it has been semi-established in this thread that we are talking about the WBC. But let me remind you that the US has won these tournaments during the past summer:

Olympic Qualifying Event (Professional Team, beat Cuba for the title in Cuba, no less)
FISU World Championships (National Team, college level, tournament was in Cuba)
COPABE Youth Pan Am Championships (Youth National Team, Soph. and Juniors in HS)
Women's world championships (Women's National Team)

The only team that didn't win a tournament was the Junior National Team (Seniors in high school), and they lost by one run to Korea in the IBAF Junior World Championships gold medal game.

So the US won three of the five World Championships (including the WBC), took the North/Central/South American championship (Pan Am) at one level, and barely finished second at another.

You tell me who the world champion is.

Dang right. People only talk smack about the WBC because that is what was on television.

[Brooklyn]

lol but i really think there are to many americans in the league
if u take a look at each teams lineups its about 50-60% american
30-40% are from the caribean area and u got like 1 asian on the whole team..

I'm assuming you are just guessing, because you are off.

The game is played in America and there are 30-40% (if you're numbers are correct) from the DR, Puerto Rico, etc. I don't see it.

You are right, he is off, it is not that high. 1796 players took the field in 2005. Of those, 1323 were American (based on country of birth), or 74%. I'm not sure what he means by "Caribbean area" countries, but if you include all Central and South American countries, they comprise 22% of the players. I looked at 2005 because I don't have the stats for 2006, but I'm guessing they are about the same. Here is the complete breakdown, based on country of birth:


USA 1796
Dominican Republic 182
Venezuela 88
Puerto Rico 59
Mexico 29
Canada 22
Japan 22
Cuba 17
Panama 12
Australia 10
South Korea 10
Columbia 4
Taiwan 4
West Germany 4
Aruba 2
Curacao 2
Nicaragua 2
Virgin Islands 2
England 1
South Vietnam 1


Of course there are primarily Americans in an American league. If you go to Japan, there are primarily Japanese. The sport is played is played by kids in this country more than any other country. Kids grow up wanting to be baseball superstars. Kids in England, for example, want to be soccer (football) players, not baseball players.

[MudvilleMike]

Dang right. People only talk smack about the WBC because that is what was on television.

Gawd, I hope this is sarcasm.

The WBC is an attempt to create a competetive World Cup for baseball. The other international baseball tournaments that Dravecky43 mentions are varying degrees of pathetic.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Gawd, I hope this is sarcasm.

The WBC is an attempt to create a competetive World Cup for baseball. The other international baseball tournaments that Dravecky43 mentions are varying degrees of pathetic.

It is not sarcasm. And I'm right. If these pathetic tournaments were hyped up and played on television and the US lost in them, I gaurantee you that people would talk smack about it.

[Crusify_Me]

talk to larry walker-he'll tell you it's true. or maybe you're talking about hockey. or curling-canadians are really good at throwing the rock. ;)

throwing the rock lol... dun forget about lacrosse too =)

[MudvilleMike]

It is not sarcasm. And I'm right. If these pathetic tournaments were hyped up and played on television and the US lost in them, I gaurantee you that people would talk smack about it.

This is so ridiculous it's beyond belief. The WBC featrued many of the greatest players in the world and was clearly designed to determine the world champion. To compare that with minor tournaments is not only insane, but deserves an entry under the definition of "sore loser."

[SamtheBravesFan]

This is so ridiculous it's beyond belief. The WBC featrued many of the greatest players in the world and was clearly designed to determine the world champion. To compare that with minor tournaments is not only insane, but deserves an entry under the definition of "sore loser."

Well, sure, minor tournaments are just that, minor, but they don't mean nothing. The USA isn't a bad baseball country just because their top players didn't perform in two or three games in the biggest baseball tournament.

I think you're overreacting.

[BaseballRookie]

Well, sure, minor tournaments are just that, minor, but they don't mean nothing. The USA isn't a bad baseball country just because their top players didn't perform in two or three games in the biggest baseball tournament.

I think you're overreacting.

Just face it man, USA lost the WBC, they weren't even close. Japan won it and they are the World Champions in baseball. No one is saying USA is a bad baseball country, we're just not as good as Japan.

[Astro]

Just face it man, USA lost the WBC, they weren't even close. Japan won it and they are the World Champions in baseball. No one is saying USA is a bad baseball country, we're just not as good as Japan.
This is a joke right?

[SamtheBravesFan]

Just face it man, USA lost the WBC, they weren't even close. Japan won it and they are the World Champions in baseball. No one is saying USA is a bad baseball country, we're just not as good as Japan.

*laughs* Yeah, right. The USA is just as good as Japan, if not better. I KNOW the USA lost in the WBC, what I'm trying to argue against is why the perception is that USA Baseball sucks when it clearly does not. As a whole, they do not suck.

[Old Sweater]

And the real ballplayers of the world. 2006 Champs

It has been a very exciting and entertaining year for Little League Baseball. What a series! The Southeast team became the new world champs winning the 60th Little League World Series in a 2-1 upset over Japan.

[DoubleX]

An interesting and disturbing trend (only if you're American, good if you're not) in the last decade or so is the decline of American success on the international stage, particularly in male team sports (women are different story, as they've had quite a bit of team success during that timeframe). I believe America still produces many of the best individual athletes, but for whatever reason (probably because our society over-emphasizes the individual over the team concept), American teams, seemingly across the board, have had poor showings internationally. Here are some examples:

- Baseball: American team didn't look that good in the World Baseball Classic despite a team of mostly All Stars. Not to mention the extremely disgraceful fact that the American team didn't even qualify for baseball in the last Olympics.

- Basketball: Probably America's most visible embarassment on the international scene. While the world is quickly catching up to America in this sport, but there should still be little question that the vast majority of the best individual talent, comes from America. Still, that hasn't helped Team USA in the past few Olympics and other international tournaments (like this past summer)

- Golf: For the third consecutive time, the U.S. got trounced in the Ryder Cup. This year, the team fielded a weaker team than in the past, but it still had some of the best individual talent including the best player in the world.

- Tennis: It's been over a decade since the U.S. last won the Davis Cup, and the U.S. hasn't had much success in the Davis Cup since then (though it was runner-up in '04). This has traditionally been a stage on which the U.S. has had consistent success.

- Ice Hockey: The U.S. team was pretty pathetic in the last Olympics, and with the exception of the silver in '02, pretty much each Olympics since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The U.S. had previously been a perennial medalist at the Olympics.

- Soccer: Granted, the U.S. is still developing as a soccer nation, but this past World Cup, the U.S. fielded what was likely its strongest team ever, and the team came up flat. It's also worth mentioning that the U.S. team came in dead last in the 1998 World Cup (though it did make a very good showing in 2002). This example doesn't really flow with the others because the American soccer team, is pretty much devoid of super individual talent. It's still, nonetheless, an example of how are teams just can't seem to coalesce on the international stage.

- Football: No else, except Canada, cares about American football.

Certainly, in some regards, such as with basketball, the rest of the world is catching up, making for a more competitive international field. However, with 300 million people to draw upon, in a nation that idolizes sports and athletes like no other in the world, you'd think that America still has a large advantage in developing talent. And I believe it still does, but for a variety of reasons, the talent becomes too individualized at the expense of solid team principles. The U.S. showing in international team events in sports where we have a number of great individual athletes who are among the very best in the world, just goes to show that a well-built team is often better than a quickly-assembled mish-mosh of individual talent (I wonder if George Steinbrenner is reading this).

[SamtheBravesFan]

Baseball: I blamed the single-elimination format of the second round of that 2002 or 2003 tournament, which allowed for fluky 2-1 upsets like what happened.

Basketball: Greece played perfect against the USA. Look it up.

Golf and Tennis: Can't explain those.

Hockey: International hockey is just better, I guess. It's been that way for 30 years.

Soccer: The USA should have done better, sure. I can't say anything beyond that.

[PhilWings24]

second only to dominicans in my book.

[hubkittel]

we're a nation of "only" 300 million people on a planet that has 6.5 billion people on it. i think we're holding our own on the athletic front. how many other nations can field teams that can compete at the highest level in so many different sports?

[SamtheBravesFan]

we're a nation of "only" 300 million people on a planet that has 6.5 billion people on it. i think we're holding our own on the athletic front. how many other nations can field teams that can compete at the highest level in so many different sports?

Not many at all, but people usually turn that around against the USA.

"Oh, with a nation of 300 million people, you have to be the best at EVERYTHING! You can't even find one person to beat a skinny Japanese kid in hot dog eating!!!"

[hubkittel]

"Oh, with a nation of 300 million people, you have to be the best at EVERYTHING! You can't even find one person to beat a skinny Japanese kid in hot dog eating!!!"

what about cricket? why can't we field a half way decent cricket squad? it's disgraceful. and i don't even want to talk about our failures in the most recent hurling world championships.

[Astro]

An interesting and disturbing trend (only if you're American, good if you're not) in the last decade or so is the decline of American success on the international stage, particularly in male team sports (women are different story, as they've had quite a bit of team success during that timeframe). I believe America still produces many of the best individual athletes, but for whatever reason (probably because our society over-emphasizes the individual over the team concept), American teams, seemingly across the board, have had poor showings internationally. Here are some examples:

- Baseball: American team didn't look that good in the World Baseball Classic despite a team of mostly All Stars. Not to mention the extremely disgraceful fact that the American team didn't even qualify for baseball in the last Olympics.

- Basketball: Probably America's most visible embarassment on the international scene. While the world is quickly catching up to America in this sport, but there should still be little question that the vast majority of the best individual talent, comes from America. Still, that hasn't helped Team USA in the past few Olympics and other international tournaments (like this past summer)

- Golf: For the third consecutive time, the U.S. got trounced in the Ryder Cup. This year, the team fielded a weaker team than in the past, but it still had some of the best individual talent including the best player in the world.

- Tennis: It's been over a decade since the U.S. last won the Davis Cup, and the U.S. hasn't had much success in the Davis Cup since then (though it was runner-up in '04). This has traditionally been a stage on which the U.S. has had consistent success.

- Ice Hockey: The U.S. team was pretty pathetic in the last Olympics, and with the exception of the silver in '02, pretty much each Olympics since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The U.S. had previously been a perennial medalist at the Olympics.

- Soccer: Granted, the U.S. is still developing as a soccer nation, but this past World Cup, the U.S. fielded what was likely its strongest team ever, and the team came up flat. It's also worth mentioning that the U.S. team came in dead last in the 1998 World Cup (though it did make a very good showing in 2002). This example doesn't really flow with the others because the American soccer team, is pretty much devoid of super individual talent. It's still, nonetheless, an example of how are teams just can't seem to coalesce on the international stage.

- Football: No else, except Canada, cares about American football.

Certainly, in some regards, such as with basketball, the rest of the world is catching up, making for a more competitive international field. However, with 300 million people to draw upon, in a nation that idolizes sports and athletes like no other in the world, you'd think that America still has a large advantage in developing talent. And I believe it still does, but for a variety of reasons, the talent becomes too individualized at the expense of solid team principles. The U.S. showing in international team events in sports where we have a number of great individual athletes who are among the very best in the world, just goes to show that a well-built team is often better than a quickly-assembled mish-mosh of individual talent (I wonder if George Steinbrenner is reading this).
When you constantly win at everything you tend to not try/care as much as others who never win... so the US doesnt really care about international play, while the other countries want to beat the big bad US because they never have before

[Williamsburg2599]

Not to speak about Kobayashi (from Japan) whipping Joey Chestnut (USA) in the Krystal Hot Dog eating contest as we speak :(, breaking the world record by 28 with 97 Burgers. :eek:. Anyways how'd this go from baseball to all sports? I really think that if we really had an all-star team of all the greatest American players that we would of easily won the WBC. I was pretty embarresed when Mexico stopped us from moving on.:(

[Astro]

Not to speak about Kobayashi (from Japan) whipping Joey Chestnut (USA) in the Krystal Hot Dog eating contest as we speak :(, breaking the world record by 28 with 97 Burgers. :eek:. Anyways how'd this go from baseball to all sports? I really think that if we really had an all-star team of all the greatest American players that we would of easily won the WBC. I was pretty embarresed when Mexico stopped us from moving on.:(
I didnt really care when the US lost, I didnt really care what happened in the WBC because it doesnt mean anything, and the American players have been off all winter so they shouldnt win

[SamtheBravesFan]

I didnt really care when the US lost, I didnt really care what happened in the WBC because it doesnt mean anything, and the American players have been off all winter so they shouldnt win

I'd say "probably won't". ;)

[W_Marone]

If someone doesn't understand your posting style, then simply elaborate and answer their question(s). Is that clear as mud by now?


With the only issue being that many people who call themselves "American" may also be from 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation folks from other countries.


The real only true americans are people of Native American descent. Other than that we're all derived from different countries, the "melting pot" of sorts. That's what its about man.

[SamtheBravesFan]

The real only true americans are people of Native American descent. Other than that we're all derived from different countries, the "melting pot" of sorts. That's what its about man.

So what you're saying is that the rest of the world is beating themselves up? :laugh ;)

[Williamsburg2599]

The real only true americans are people of Native American descent. Other than that we're all derived from different countries, the "melting pot" of sorts. That's what its about man.
With that logic, not really. The Native Americans migrated here.

[W_Marone]

well then, the neanderthals...;)

[W_Marone]

What I'm saying is who cares if we're the best at baseball or not? So we didnt win the WBC, we didnt have all our greatest players on the team, and a few of the better american players decided to play for other countries (Piazza). The Japanese, Koreans, Dominicans, etc, etc, all threw out their best baseball players to play a handful of our great/good players. Do I think the best of the Dominican or the best of Japan could beat our best? I honestly dont know, I think they could, look at the guys who've come from other countries who are the top guys in our game. Ichiro, Pujols, Manny, Ortiz, Matsui, Santana, etc. etc. So who knows, I dont honestly think it matters really.

[DownUnderDodger]

While this is a baseball forum I think it is valid to a point to refer to other sports in relation to baseball on a world scale and I would like to offer my two cents worth on that basis:

Baseball: Baseball is developing quite rapidly on a world scale and the MLB has a lot to do with that. Baseball is an American invented (despite what the Russians say) game and has developed into the favourite game in USA. It does comprise considerable numbers of overseas players (26% of MLB if the 2005 stats are considered) and that can only be because the game is played in the respective overseas countries. To help develop these countries the MLB has set up development academies (the Aussie one is on the Gold Coast in southern Queensland) to foster the players and hence the sport. A couple of years ago a friend of ours brought her 13 year old son to Australia with a USA team to take part in a junior development tournament and the main organiser was a scout for the Cubs organisation. MLB teams send scouts all over the world to look for players, and they either go direct to an MLB organisation in the minors or thru the local academy. It is therefore obviously in the MLB minds that the games needs to be fostered and expanded around the world - and this has been enhanced by the WBC. To say the USA sucks in baseball is a farce. The results of the WBC simply reflect the expansion of the game around the world, much thru player experience playing in the MLB and much thru stronger competitions in the other countries.

Basketball: I can't speak for Europe, but the success of Australian basketball teams is because of USA imports over many years, strengthening our competition and providing experience to our players, to the extent that Australia is a force in world basketball - not quite at the top but with a real chance of getting there. The sport continues to grow world wide, hence the once unbeatable USA is now right back to the rest of the field. This makes for great competition.

Golf: Golf is not really a team game, it is an individual game of skill. Perhaps the Europeans combine better as a team when the Ryder Cup is on than the USA players.

Tennis: Australia and USA once used to be king pins of Davis Cup. This has all changed for two reasons. The emergence of a lot more countries on the world scene in tennis, and the fact many of the top players won't play for their country (USA in particular) in Davis Cup with so many other high paying tournaments around the world. It is all a matter of wanting to represent your country vs earning huge individual dollars.

Hockey: Presumably Ice Hockey - a predominantly northern hemisphere sport which I know little about. Field Hockey is a sport which has reasonable world competition but USA is not really a player.

Football (Soccer): USA is definitely an emerging force in this sport. It has really only been played in the USA at any major level since the late 60's onwards (I remember when one team imported an aging Pele for a couiple of games to boost the interest), so USA has come ahead at a quick rate. As the game becomes more popular so will the skills of the palyers and the strength of the international team. It is truly the world's main international sport where winning a World Cup is #1 goal.

Cricket: I would love to see USA become a force in cricket, but it will not happen in my lifetime.

Rugby: Again USA has dabbled in both codes of Rugby (League & Union) without success, but if they were serious about developing both games to a much higher degree, weight of population would eventually see very competitive USA teams.

American Football: Is played outside USA but doubtful it will deveop into a serious international sport.

The bottom line is that many sports are developing in various countries and stronger world competition is inevitable as teams get stronger, wether it be other countries proving to be better than USA in a WBC tournament, or USA maybe winning a world football (soccer) cup. It would be a sad state if one country dominated in any one sport so good healthy competition is great.

[RuthMayBond]

Just face it man, USA lost the WBC, they weren't even close. Japan won it and they are the World Champions in baseball. No one is saying USA is a bad baseball country, we're just not as good as Japan.Let's see players who play in their country scattered all the way around the world and then see how they do :D

[Old Sweater]

The real only true americans are people of Native American descent. Other than that we're all derived from different countries, the "melting pot" of sorts. That's what its about man.

I think being born here in America is as American as one can get. Hope so anyway or I would be a Brit if it wasn't for boats.