EVIL~! alkeiper

Wow. Shairon Martis has thrown the first no hitter in the WBC. And he had to collect a double play on his 65th pitch to do it.

The Netherlands lead Panama 10-0 in the seventh. The mercy rule beckons, and Panama's hitless. On top of that, Shairon Martis has only thrown 57 pitches.

The Netherlands puts an 18 year old on the mound, doesn't play Andruw Jones, and they've got a 5-0 lead on Panama. Go figure.

It seems unfair, but think about it realistically for a moment. Canada struggled mightily against the South Africans and were blown out by Mexico. Between those games they had Al Leiter handed to them on a silver platter. Yeah they beat the U.S., but apart from that game they really haven't looked all that great. As an aside, the Chipper Jones-Jeter-Young infield we used for that game has to be the worst defensive infield anyone has produced in this tournament. Combine that with Griffey's declining range in center, and it is no wonder the Canadians batted around a low strikeout pitcher like Dontrelle Willis. This is exactly why teams of superstars often struggle. Because no one remembers the players do things besides hit.

If you don't like it, just don't watch it. I know there are problems with the concept, but there are some really fun things about this tournament. It's tremendous to see players like Sung Yeop Lee, Lenin Pecota, Francisco Campos, etc. who don't compete in MLB but are just as good. It's interesting to see exactly how well the Cubans stack up against professionals. As for Spring Training, I know some people may miss the stars, but it's nice to see unheralded players get a shot.

That sucks. No injuries, I hope. Just the car. I was driving and the truck I was next two lost a bolt, which proceeded to bounce onto my windshield, cracking it. The bolt came to rest on the hood of my car, and it will be on display if I ever warrant my own museum exhibit.

That's not right, it can't be. Right now, USA has allowed 8 runs in common games, Canada 6, and Mexico 2. The only way for Canada and Mexico to advance would be for the final score of this game to be Mexico 1, Canada 0. Otherwise, the winner of this game and the USA both advance (assuming Mexico and USA both beat South Africa). I think I messed up my algebra. My apologies, my windshield got smashed on the road today and it's been a long one. Canada could allow two runs in a loss and easily win it. The earned runs are the same, so it would go to batting average. US's team batting average in the two games is .231. Canada's average today was .342. So they'd have to have an awful day at the plate. Which they would if they only scored two runs.

I won't have time to do this tomorrow morning. All times Eastern. Italy vs. Dominican Republic (1pm, ESPN Deportes, 2am on ESPN 2) No more live games on ESPN. Some local channels are carrying games though, so keep an eye out. Italy is 1-1, and could advance with a victory. The Dominicans would assure the next round with a victory as well. Given how dominant the Dominicans looked against Venezuela, it is hard to imagine Italy giving them a scare. Strangers things have happened though. Cuba vs. Netherlands (7pm, ESPN Deportes) Panama gave Cuba a scare today, but Cuba again displayed their seemingly clutch ability to win tight games late. The Netherlands look on their way to losing to Puerto Rico tonight. If they can't beat Cuba, it's over for them. Cuba can advance with a win. Venezuela vs. Australia (8pm) Australia can't suck as bad as they did against Italy, can they? Mexico vs. Canada (8pm) Here it is, the single most important game of the tournament. And spanish viewers can catch it at 2am on tape delay? I know WWOR 9 in NYC is carrying the game live. Here is how it works. I assume Mexico beats South Africa as I write this. If Canada wins, they and the United States advance to the second round (assuming the US goes on to beat Canada). If Mexico wins, they will advance. If that happens, but Canada allows four runs or less, Canada will advance. If Canada allows six or more runs in a loss, the US will advance. If Canada allows five runs (all earned), it comes down to batting average. And I'm not doing the math. Simple, no?

Ok, I missed that the first time around the tiebreaking rules. My apologies. It remains the same deal for Mexico. If they beat Canada, they are in. It isn't a 100% elimination game for Canada, but there is a strong chance a loss could still send them home.

The NCAA record book from that period looks like swiss cheese thanks to the decision. I'm not comfortable at all with making that move, for reasons I stated earlier. Besides, it does not make anyone really feel better about themselves. Is Albert Pujols going to get excited because of a retroactive MVP? And of course, you'd be giving an MVP award to a guy who may have used steroids himself in Sosa, just to punish Bonds. That seems illogical, and certainly undesireable. MLB is in a bind over this. Fortunately, we have something much stronger at work, and that is the court of public opinion. Baseball honestly doesn't need an asterik, because fans are going to look at Bonds' play and remember that he probably abused steroids. The book is mostly hearsay and I think you could punch holes in it, given time. However, Bonds almost certainly used steroids at some point, and he is a big boy and must deal with the consequences of his own decisions. If he breaks the record, so be it. I don't need to watch Barry Bonds to enjoy baseball. There are too many good things about the sport to let this work me up.

It's laughable to suggest that the NFL has less roster turnover than MLB. Quite honestly, roster turnover has not increased significantly in the past thirty years.

I'm looking forward to Genius Moment fulfilling a bet from 2005.

Let me lay out the scenarios here. Runs Allowed over 9 innings is the tiebreaker. The US has allowed eight runs, compared to 14 for Canada. Mexico has allowed two runs so far in one game. That gives Mexico and the US an advantage in the tiebreaker should all three teams go 2-1. In order for that to happen, Mexico would have to beat Canada on Friday. Oddly, unless South Africa pulls an upset, Canada is facing an elimination game.

Today's schedule. All times Eastern. Cuba vs. Panama (1pm, ESPN2) Bruce Chen takes the mound for Panama. This is a very intriguing game. The Cubans have never faced a real MLB tested team, and the Panamanians have several players, including Carlos Lee. Panama showed they can hang with the better clubs. Canada vs. United States (4pm, ESPN2) A win by either team virtually assures a second round berth. The U.S. will start Dontrelle Willis against Canadian starter Adam Loewen. Loewen's a great prospect, but he's not MLB ready. I question the wisdom of placing him out on the mound against the best of the US. Canada also has a VERY lefty heavy lineup. Regardless of talent, this is a bad matchup for the Canadians. Italy vs. Venezuela (7pm, 10:30pm on ESPN Deportes) Freddy Garcia starts for Venezuela, while Red Sox' prospect Lenny Dinardo starts for team Italy. It's tough to get a real gauge on the Italians' true talent level. They do have legitimate hitting, and they can make this competitive. The Venezuelans for their part can not afford to sit on their best relievers again just because they do not happen to have the lead. Puerto Rico vs. Netherlands (7:30pm, ESPN Deportes) Joel Pineiro vs. Rob Cordemans. The Dutch tried to create a team of ringers, but failed to grab any of the Dutch ancestors they placed on the provisional roster. Cordemans went 13-1 with an 0.77 ERA in the Dutch Major League last year. It is sometimes difficult to face a pitcher of his nature because few scouting reports exist. Just look at how Puerto Rico struggled against Lenin Pecota. South Africa vs. Mexico (9pm, 10am tomorrow on ESPN Deportes) If MLB wants the WBC to work, they are going to have to manage better television coverage then THIS. South Africa was supposed to be toast, but they kept Canada battling until the last inning. Here they battle Francisco Campos, the strikeout king of the Mexican League. Darryn Smith is the rumored starter for South Africa. The problem here is that Africa needed to use its best pitchers yesterday, and none of those guys are available for this game.

You can asterik stats, but you can't erase them. Baseball's a zero sum game where one success is marked as a failure of another. If we wipe out Bonds' RBIs, that messes with team totals, opponents' records, and a host of other problems in the accounting. Plus, why do we target Bonds and not anyone else? Do we erase the records of any minor leaguers or scrubs we catch? It's a shaky road to walk down.

South Africa threw out their best pitchers and kept it competitive for awhile. Kudos. I fear the wheels may fall off the wagon before long. Also, I don't know if there's any merit to this, but it might be possible that the Canadians are at a distinct disadvantage, since no team comes from a colder climate. There isn't much baseball in Canada this time of year.

Paul Quantrill is currently experiencing a sign that it is time to retire.

Italy leads Australia 9-0, going to the bottom of the 7th. The next run they score will be a walk-off. Puerto Rico beat Panama 2-1. South Africa has held Canada to a scoreless tie through four.

Apparently someone from Panama missed a scouting report. NEVER try to steal on Yadier Molina.

Dominicans and US win their respective games. Puerto Rico leads Panama 2-1 in the 7th in a competitive matchup. Italy leads Australia 4-0 in the fourth. No score in the Canada/South Africa game. South Africa's Carl Michaels seems like a competant pitcher.

Utley's All-Star caliber without a doubt. He had the highest OPS of any second baseman in baseball last year. Brian Schneider's relatively unknown, but he's a great defensive catcher who has nailed 43.7% of basestealers over his career.

Both. The Yankees didn't get their money handed to them on a silver platter. They were a pathetic organization until ten years ago when their farm system actually produced something. They then learned to take their product and market it properly. And you know what? They still can't win the World Series spending $200 Million a season. Bullshit. NBA players have fundamentals. Just because their style of basketball isn't aestetically pleasing does not mean they can't play. The A-Rod contract was not the worst signing ever. It got the Rangers, and then the Yankees, the best player in the American League, and a HOF caliber player. What killed the Rangers was spending $65 Million on Chan Ho Park. As for the Royals, they let Damon go, and then let Beltran go. They brought up David DeJesus. Problem solved. As for the rest of the Royals, if they can't beat Detroit or Minnesota, what else do you want to do? The Royals were one of the best teams in the American League for 10 years. That happened after free agency started. What's changed that makes it that they can't compete? They have idiot management. Any team can contend, given the resources from their farm system. You develop a player and you retain his rights for 6-7 years. When he reaches free agency, he's about 30 and reaching the decline stage of his career. That's why free agency is not the end all factor that people perceive. Because most free agents have seen their best days. In addition, teams that buy free agents lose draft picks. The Athletics have made a habit of picking up 2-4 draft picks a season thanks to free agency. Most of this was debunked 5 years ago. Why do people hold on to the big market notion?

It's a blood clot in the brain. Any number of factors can lead to one.

Tomorrow's Schedule. All times Eastern. 1pm: Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic (ESPN) 4pm: Mexico vs. United States (ESPN2) 7pm: Panama vs. Puerto Rico (ESPN Deportes, 3am on ESPN2) 8pm: Australia vs. Italy (ESPN Deportes 2am) 9pm: Canada vs. South Africa (ESPN Deportes 10:30, 2:30am on ESPN2) Johan Santana takes the mound for Venezuela while Bartolo Colon pitches for the Dominicans. That is without question a big time marquis matchup, as good as we are likely to see in the first round. The Venezuelans are slightly better on paper but the teams are close enough that either can win. USA/Mexico will see Jake Peavy pitch against Rodrigo Lopez. Mexico is good enough to keep this somewhat competitive, but I think they will take some caution not to use their best pitchers in a futile effort and then lose them for the Canadian game. The other three games are vitually inaccessable to television viewers, even to those with ESPN Deportes. Some local stations are carrying games so keep an eye on your local listings. XM Radio will carry the games live. Canada/South Africa will feature Baltimore prospect Adam Loewen as Canada's starter. Panama/Puerto Rico will see Lenin Pecota battle Javier Vazquez. Puerto Rico is likely to win that game, but Panama has some MLB talent including Carlos Lee. Australia/Italy will see Quad-A starters John Stephens and Jason Grilli. That game is essentially a toss-up.

Kirby Puckett's a tragic case in baseball. His career was cut short, his reputation was damaged by spousal abuse allegations, and now his life comes to an early end.