世界の最もよい野球

Not Cuba, not the United States and certainly, not the Dominican Republic. If there were any doubts Japan has the best baseball in the world, they were erased when they repeated as world champions after defeating Asian arch-rival Korea in the dramatic conclusion of the WBC.

On their way they also defeated perennial international champion Cuba, twice. The Cubans are now 3-0 against Japan in the Classic. Dice-K scored also his second WBC MVP and Ichiro helped score the winning run. Sayonara my friends.

March baseball

The World Baseball Classic has had a few surprises. The semifinals start this weekend with the United States, who won in dramatic fashion, rallying in the bottom of the night to beat Puerto Rico. Just a few days earlier Puerto Rico gave the Americans their most humiliating defeat in the history of international baseball. Not so lucky with Venezuela, who seems to have the gringo's number. Hugo Chavez must be smiling. The American squad has been riddled with injuries so it'll be interesting to see how far they can make it.

Japan also seems to have Cuba's number, beating them twice to give the perennial baseball champion its earlier exit in an international baseball tournament. South Korea, on the other hand, seems to have Japan figured out. The semifinals are going to be a display of redemption, or domination.

Who said this is just an exhibition? The second Netherlands and Dominican Republic game, and the second U.S.A. and Puerto Rico game were some of the best baseball seen in years.

And the A-Rod pic? Well, it's here for comedy's sake. Dominicans need a little humor after being bumped off so early.

Dominican bats down in Nether-world

The Dutch sent the Dominicans packing in the first round of the World Baseball Classic by beating them not once, but TWICE. Dominican pitching, lead by free-agent Pedro was fine, but the bats... the bats... where were they?

So what's up with the World Baseball Classic?

Pujols is out. Vladimir is out. Carlos Peña is out. Santana and Zambrano are out for the Venezuelans. A-Rod and Miguel Tejada will play for the Dominican Republic, if they survive their steroid scandals. Games begin March 5th.

More:

[World Baseball Classic official site]

Fla. H.S. Baseball Players React to Rodriguez

The case of Ambiorix Burgos

On September 30, 2008 two women died in a hit-by-run. The Hummer that killed the two women is property of Mets and Azucareros del Este Pitcher Ambiorix Burgos who allegedly was at the wheel when it happened. Burgos turned himself in after being a fugitive for several days. A judge released him on parole causing widespread public outrage.

The video is a investigation about the case. Note the "loyalty" of the Mets Pitcher who wears an Arizona D-Backs cap on his interview.

Dominicans lead foreign born players on opening day

Pedro Martinez joins the class of 08 MLB opening day Dominicans. This year the bunch is not as large as opening day 2007's, but it's still pretty large.

The Dominican Republic has produced the most Major League players born outside the U.S. with 88. Venezuela (52 players) and Puerto Rico (29) have the next most, followed by Japan (16), Canada (14), Mexico (11) and Cuba (8). Other countries or territories represented include Australia, Colombia, Curacao, Korea, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Taiwan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Also, Omar Minaya's Mets is the team with most foreign talent. They could play in Estadio Quisquella and look like the home team. 

Update: It looks like Pedro's health did not improve for opening day.

Opening Day Rosters Feature 239 Players Born Outside the United States [MLB]

Shop with Google Checkout and save some $ at the Pelotafan Store

We just added Google Checkout buttons on the Pelotafan Store which saves us some money from the PayPal fees and passed the savings on to you. As always, the shipping cost in the U.S. is included. Send a message to store@pelotafan.com if you want to buy more than one item or want to make an offer. You may get a discount.

Pedro caught playing with his cock

Even though cockfighting is legal in the Dominican Republic, the media is trying to turn Pedro into the next Michael Vick. A video was leaked on the Internet, featuring Pedro and hall-of-famer Juan Marichal watching some poultry action. No word if the loser ended up in a chicken salad.

The Pedro Martinez Cockfight Video [Gawker]

Ten for Licey -One for the records

Photo: Reuters

The bitterness of losing the national championship is now forgotten. The Tigers won their record 10th Caribbean title on the field of their nemesis and last year's Caribbean champion. Licey -playing on Puerto Rico's vacant spot- becomes the first runner-up team to win the Serie del Caribe. It's the 17th Caribbean title for a Dominican Team.

Licey wins 10th Caribbean Series title [MLB]