Are Canadians really this sad?

[RedskinsDave]

I think maybe the whole country will take the day off tomorrow because they won one silly baseball game. I'm glad we don't go nuts when we win one silly hockey match against them.

[smoak]

I think maybe the whole country will take the day off tomorrow because they won one silly baseball game. I'm glad we don't go nuts when we win one silly hockey match against them.

C'mon Dave. I haven't been following at all, but that is a huge upset right? Tip your cap and let them have their fun. Unless you think they way we go on about the "miracle on ice" is distaste, then aren't you being hypocritical? From what little I have seen od international competitions, American athletes have no sense of national pride and need to wake up. We're getting beat in everything these days!

[RedskinsDave]

One, it's a baseball game. If there's any game not involving judges that is built for an upset, this is it. The Devil Rays do beat the Yankees and Red Sox. Second, this is a tournament made up by Selig and his idiots. I can't expect too much national pride to exist when the guys would probably rather be at spring training.

I was happy to see the U.S. lose because it shows what a joke the tourney is. If this thing were legit, does anyone think Al Leiter would be out there? Would Damon not be playing? ARod came in in the 7th I think! Come on.

What bothered me was the Canadian mullet head on the hockey highlights who acted like this was the 1980 Olympic Hockey game. And with that, this was no Miracle On Ice. The comparison is hilarious.

[smoak]

I agree. It is a joke, but the fact remains they beat us and I give them credit. We did have Dontrell Willis on the mound so it is not like I was pitching (then we'd get rocked by the likes of Iceland. :))

I don't really disagree with any of your points, but why let it bother you? There is no comparison tothe miracle on ice, but it certainly is an impressive win for our neighbors to the north.

[dj_stouty]

I don't mind them celebrating this as if they just tore down the Berlin Wall. Kudos to them.

What is getting on my nerves is the negative comments being directed to this country by many Canadians over this win. That is a bit much.

[RedskinsDave]

I guess they just get on my nerves sometimes. The potshots are comical. It's a national holiday when Mike Wier wins a tournament or when Steve Nash's eyes appear within 6 inches of each other.

Someone let Cananda know they ain't exactly Swaziland.

[FootballNorth]

Dave - Gimmie a break. Let me and my fellow Canadians bask in the victory for a while, as we should. This was by any and all estimations a huge upset.

You're right that Leiter maybe should have not been in there, but your starter yesterday was the great and very capable Dontrelle Willis. He strutted on the mound like he owned the place and we knocked him around for 5 earned runs over 2 2/3 innings. On the other side, our starter was some kid you have never heard of who made it as high as double A last year, and he threw 3 scoreless innings.

Imagine what a drubbing we would have laid on you if pitchers like Eric Gagne and Ryan Dempster (both Canadians) were on our team? Your 6 run inning with a grand slam likely would not have happened.

I agree that this entire tournament is kind of like taking your sister to the prom, but let's call a spade a spade and admit that this was a huge upset that Canadians should be allowed to enjoy. We just worked harder and made a better effort, as 3 triples and an inside the park HR can attest to. oN the other side is Chase Utley, whose comical reaction to hitting a fly ball in the 8th inning kind of summs up team USA.

Rob

P.S. Just to put it in perspective, this still did not make it as the top story on our version of SportsCenter last night. Highlights of the Rangers/Thrashers game were the lead. We're not likely to hire Disney to make a feature film on the game. I think they already made a movie with the "Miracle" title.

[smoak]

What did Utley do?

[RedskinsDave]

What did Utley do?

He thought he hit one out it seemed. He dropped his bat and smiled forgetting that it is March and they were playing in a field with a 400 foot centerfield. The funny part is Chase Utley, really, Chase Utley!!! I hate when they beat our best, lol!

[smoak]

He thought he hit one out it seemed. He dropped his bat and smiled forgetting that it is March and they were playing in a field with a 400 foot centerfield. The funny part is Chase Utley, really, Chase Utley!!! I hate when they beat our best, lol!

Hey, hey! That is the pride of Philly your ripping there. And didn't Jeter play?

;)

[RedskinsDave]

Hey, hey! That is the pride of Philly your ripping there. And didn't Jeter play?

;)

Yeah but ARod barely did and Damon didn't. I think they were trying to get everyone some playing time like an all-star game instead of playing the best all 9 innings.

[chrisbcbu]

So what do the teams get if they win the WBC?

[dj_stouty]

So what do the teams get if they win the WBC?

Apparently a big chip on their shoulders. ;)

[RedskinsDave]

So what do the teams get if they win the WBC?

Hopefully it's not Labatt's or socialized health care, cause the Great White North already has that. ;)

[FootballNorth]

Damon did come in late in the game and got an at bat (a walk).

Jeter went 1 for 3. Teixeira was 0 for 5.

If you get a chance to see the highlight of Utley's fly ball he mistook for a lead-taking 3 run homer you should. It's quite comical.

A couple of weeks ago I wasn't feeling very well so I went to the hospital here where I live in the Toronto area. As a "precaution" the doctor decided to do, among other things, some bloodwork, an EKG and a CT scan. Everything was fine but this would never happen south of the border unless you could pay the $50,000 bill that this would cost. Health insurance? Forget it. The businessmen that run the HMO's would never agree to it.

We can afford this because the government makes a killing from charging us $30 for a case of Labatt's Blue!

Different country, different priorities. Every democratic government makes their own decisions based on the priorities of it's citizens.

[RedskinsDave]

Well you also save a ton by not needing a real military. I know the guy downstairs from me has quite the arsenal and an excellent guard dog so I don't bother with a security system. I do have a sweet hi-def t.v. though. Different priorities I guess.

[BostonSkins]

I have to admit that I was surprised at how bad the U.S.'s bullpen is.

I think the WBC has been pretty good so far. WAY better than spring training games.

Even though I'm 100% American, I am rooting for the U.S. to go down in flames.

Go Venezuela!!!

[dj_stouty]

Even though I'm 100% American, I am rooting for the U.S. to go down in flames.

Why doesn't this surprise me?

[BostonSkins]

Why doesn't this surprise me?

The Caribbean teams are just more fun to watch playing this. You can tell they really want to win.

The fact that the U.S. squad also happens to have three of my least favorite athletes on it doesn't help (and that's with Bonds choosing not to play, it could have been 4!)

[FootballNorth]

Well you also save a ton by not needing a real military. I know the guy downstairs from me has quite the arsenal and an excellent guard dog so I don't bother with a security system. I do have a sweet hi-def t.v. though. Different priorities I guess.

Sounds like you're a lot like Canada. You don't need security because the guy downstairs has it covered. Canada doesn't need a mighty military because the country downstairs (USA) has it covered.

Good deal if you can swing it!:Peace:

[chrisbcbu]

Sounds like you're a lot like Canada. You don't need security because the guy downstairs has it covered. Canada doesn't need a mighty military because the country downstairs (USA) has it covered.

Good deal if you can swing it!:Peace:

I think that was the analogy he was trying to make.

[RedskinsDave]

I have to admit that I was surprised at how bad the U.S.'s bullpen is.

I think the WBC has been pretty good so far. WAY better than spring training games.

Even though I'm 100% American, I am rooting for the U.S. to go down in flames.

Go Venezuela!!!

Just like a Sox fan.

[LATrueRedskin]

Hmmmmm, guess I am the only one enjoying the WBC. Although it sucks that the U.S. lost, I really didn't get the feeling of a huge upset. Any team can win one baseball game, that's why they play 162 during a regular season. I wasn't really shocked to see this, especially since Buck is treating this like an All-Star event.

[HAWGZHEAD]

Is the WBC single elimination?

[RedskinsDave]

Is the WBC single elimination?

No, round robin first round. 4 teams in each group. Top 2 advance. The U.S. can miss at 2-1.

[HAWGZHEAD]

No, round robin first round. 4 teams in each group. Top 2 advance. The U.S. can miss at 2-1.Oh ok, got it.

[danny's stogie]

It's funny, Dave, that you consider the tournament such a joke yet you care so much about the Canadian reaction.

[RedskinsDave]

It's funny, Dave, that you consider the tournament such a joke yet you care so much about the Canadian reaction.

No, I think they go hand in hand. I'm not jumping up and down if I beat some poker pro in an online game. Make sense?

[danny's stogie]

No, I think they go hand in hand. I'm not jumping up and down if I beat some poker pro in an online game. Make sense?

I see your point, but it's obvious that the tournament means a lot more to all the countries besides the US. For Americans, the World Series is the pinnacle so the WBC seems like a joke, but for other countries, especially the regional rivalries like in Asia and Latin America, it matters.

But even still, if you beat that pro poker player and you revelled in victory--and I'd assume that you or anyone who beats a pro would no matter what the forum--would the pro even bat an eye at your celebration? Most likely he'd brush it off and go play at Cesear's Palace, but if he gets ticked off, then it likely means he cared about the online game.

[suppitty]

I'm glad Canada won. It shuts up morons liek Jim Rome and JT the Brick who say US soccer sucks, and then point to our "dominance" in other sports. Our soccer team is the only one with national pride, apparently, and I think it would be hillarious if we get knocked out of the first round in this meaningless competition. If this was run in a way where each player could be used to the best of his ability (instead of spending the whole time fretting about injuries) then this would be a hell of a tournament. Instead, I'm hoping Cuba advances, so all their players can defect when they come to play in the U.S. It would be a nice new influx of talent into MLB, and it would make some 20-odd people's lives a lot better.

[FootballNorth]

Any "real" future WBC tournamants should be played in the middle of the season. Instead of an all-star break, take 2 weeks off to squeeze in the tournament. Everyone is in the prime of their season and there are no silly pitch count limits.

Worries over being injured will still be there (mostly the worries of the owners, but they would have to agree to it) but I think you'll find a lot more guys take it seriously and you will have very few guys take a pass, instead choosing to suit up for their country as a matter of pride. This is what makes International competitions what they are.

[smoak]

Any "real" future WBC tournamants should be played in the middle of the season. Instead of an all-star break, take 2 weeks off to squeeze in the tournament. Everyone is in the prime of their season and there are no silly pitch count limits.

Worries over being injured will still be there (mostly the worries of the owners, but they would have to agree to it) but I think you'll find a lot more guys take it seriously and you will have very few guys take a pass, instead choosing to suit up for their country as a matter of pride. This is what makes International competitions what they are.

Maybe the winner can decide what country will host the World Series!!

[FootballNorth]

Mexico just scored their 3rd run of the top of the 1st against Canada, so the US is safely on to the next round (assuming a victory against South Africa).

If Mexico had of beaten Canada and scored fewer than 3 runs, team USA would have been out, no matter what they do against SA.

[HAWGZHEAD]

Mexico just scored their 3rd run of the top of the 1st against Canada, so the US is safely on to the next round (assuming a victory against South Africa).

If Mexico had of beaten Canada and scored fewer than 3 runs, team USA would have been out, no matter what they do against SA.What if Canada wins, its only the top of the 1st.

[LATrueRedskin]

Mexico just scored their 3rd run of the top of the 1st against Canada, so the US is safely on to the next round (assuming a victory against South Africa).

If Mexico had of beaten Canada and scored fewer than 3 runs, team USA would have been out, no matter what they do against SA.

And boy did we do that. :) That was like softball out there.

[Keino]

1. Hats off to Canada for the win. I must admit that I was pissed off that we lost to you, because frankly you aren't on our level in this game, this win notwithstanding.

2. Cheering against your country and fellow countrymen is despicable. You can appreciate the athletes from other countries, but cmon. It disgusted me that people cheered against our US Basketball team and it disgusts me now. Soccer team only team with national pride my eye.

3. I hope the WBC catches fire. It's pretty cool to see all the Major Leaguers play for their respective countries. Seems to be a great source of pride for many of Latin teams. It's too bad the timing is when most of the players are a bit rusty. A longer break in the middle of the season seems like a good idea.

[RedskinsDave]

There's no way any owner would let his players take two weeks off and risk injury.

[FootballNorth]

There's no way any owner would let his players take two weeks off and risk injury.

It happens in hockey and without a doubt the sport is stronger for it. Stronger for the NHL and for the view/following of the league Internationally. There is no other way. MLB has to and will eventually come around.

All-star games are a joke anyways, with the biggest joke being the pro-bowl as it is the only one not in the middle of the season. Of course with football as such a contact sport, mid-season is not an optoion.

Memories of John Kruk and Cecil Fielder. When they made the All-Star team they had to stop drinking for a few hours!

[RedskinsDave]

Hockey needs it. Baseball needs to keep playing. If they take two weeks off and some team that was hot goes cold, their fans will not be happy. Also, since the other countries care more than the U.S. it certainly makes no sense.

[FootballNorth]

Baseball has to progress.