Eight Twins In World Baseball Classic

by Jesse on Dec 6, 2005 2:20 PM EST in News

Eight of our own have made the decision to represent their native countries in the upcoming WBC.

Joe Mauer will suit up for the United States. Jesse Crain and Justin Morneau will play for Canada, J.C. Romero for Puerto Rico, Glenn Williams for Australia, Juan Castro will play for Mexico, and Carlos Silva and Johan Santana will represent Venezuala.

Stay healthy, boys, and best of luck!

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So...

What happens if Santana pitches a no-hitter against the US to win the WBC? Are we supposed to be irritated with him because he made our country look bad or are we supposed to be happy because it's another sign that he's awesome?

On a similar note, what would happen if someone less will liked, say Morneau, hit a walk-off home run to eliminate the US? Will Twins fans boo him when he fails to produce for the Twins but was able to produce for Canada? Would it increase his trade value to Toronto?

This baseball classic thing would seem to be a test of our allegiances.

by ubelmann on Dec 6, 2005 2:45 PM EST reply actions

hmm

So long as none of them get hurt, I say play ball! It will be fun watching baseball where I am not pulling for anyone in particular. Just enjoy some good games.

Hey, if the Classic can get Johan more towards his "second half" self, I will encourage the WBC every year.

by mbennett on Dec 6, 2005 4:04 PM EST reply actions

I don't like it

Not only would I watch this like a mother at a pee wee football game, but the US's team is so dominating it's not going to be fun to watch.

The only way I would watch is if they limited the number of professional players to 4 or 5 professionals including your pitching staff. This is no contest as it stands now.

And it will be an embarassment to the MLB who is trying to promote its diversity and worldliness. Instead they're just going to show that's it's still ultimately an American game and that the world should just keep watching soccer and continue ignoring baseball.

by TheMattWilke on Dec 6, 2005 7:02 PM EST reply actions

Again, as long as they don't get hurt

I fail to see how promoting baseball among baseball-loving countries will result in "embarrassment" for MLB.

It will reinforce the fact that good players want to play in the U.S. if they want to play against the best.

U.S. "so dominating?"

If I were that sure about something, I'd make a large bet. And to show how cock-sure I was, I'd give odds. You seem so sure.

I'll put down $100 that says the U.S. doesn't win. And being you know the U.S. will win in a walk, you'll accept the bet and give me 10-1 odds. That means if you lose, you owe me $1,000.

Oh.

Abreau. Beltran. Pujols. A. Ramirez. V. Guerrero. D. Ortiz. M. Rameriz. Tejada. M. Rivera. J. Santana. Colon.

That's just skimming off the top of the AL/NL All-Star roster last season.

None of them is 'merican.

If the U.S. wins, fine. I don't know if there are too many people out there who think they'll laugh their way through it, though, even with games played at a spring-training pace.

-- People can't stand much reality, and they can't even stand the reality of being told so.

by Firpo Marberry on Dec 6, 2005 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

Right, but...

They're not all playing on the same team like so many superstars are for the US. Each team's going to have one or two superstars. And then a bunch of amateurs and/or minor leaguers surrounding them who don't stand a chance of hitting Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, or Billy Wagner (who's closing for the US?)

Who's going to hit or pitch behind Johan and Silva for Venezuela?

Who's going to hit 4th behind Carlos Lee let alone get on base for him for Panama?

Juan Castro's going to start for Mexico?

Is JC Romero going to be Puerto Rico's closer?

Why am I asking all these questions? I should just shut my mouth and make a bet.

I will give you 2-1 and I'll wager $50 that the U.S. finishes first.

by TheMattWilke on Dec 6, 2005 9:25 PM EST reply actions

Venezuela

I wouldn't worry too much about Venezuela's pitching. Take a look at rosters here: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/wbc/rosters.jsp

Francisco Rodriguez is just as good a closer as you can get. Sure, their hitting is more iffy, but with Abreu and Mora in the middle of the lineup, they can do some damage.

The US mainly has other teams beat in depth. Depth doesn't win you a short series, though, top-line talent does. Other countries have this. If the US has a pitcher who doesn't show up for a game or two, there are teams that can beat them.

The US is definitely the odds-on favorite, but I doubt it'll be quite the walkover you predict.

by ubelmann on Dec 7, 2005 7:50 PM EST up reply actions