Maybe we should rethink this WBC thing

As far as I can tell in my 12 seconds of research, the US is going to LA for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic with exactly one position player on the bench. Hey, now that sounds like a good idea. David Wright fouled a ball off his toe, dropping him to his knees in the first inning of the meaningless game last night against Venezuela. He crawled around in agony, a fact the US trainers willfully ignored because if no one tends to him he can't be injured and there's no other third basemen on the roster so suck it up you fucking pansy! In all seriousness, the US is pulled hamstring away from being entirely unable to field a team in LA and being forced to forfeit. I'm thinking the injury substitution rules may need to be tweaked before they play another one of these things.

(Doug Benc/Getty Images)

I think the Mets would do well in the WBC

Last night the US eliminated Puerto Rico and moved into the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic but that's not important. No team sent more players to the WBC than the Mets, and last night's game featured past and (hopefully) future All Stars Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, and J.J. (it rhymes with PUTS) Putz. ALL would deliver on the night. Delgado crushed a home run to center field to tie the game at 3. Beltran leapt and took a home run away from Brian McCann to keep the game tied at 3. With Puerto Rico leading by a run in the 8th, Putz retired future hall of fame lock* Ivan Rodriguez, superstar Beltran, and future hall of fame lock* Delgado in order, the last two on strikeouts. I'm sure that'll be a fun conversation in the clubhouse when they all reunite after the classic is over. Anyway, after Phillie J.C. Romero loaded the bases with 1 out, Kevin Youkilis walked to bring David to the plate with the winning on second. With the count in his favor, Wright deliver a soft line drive to right field, much to Jerry Manuel's delight I'm sure, and the US mobbed Wright at second. Don't hurt him, don't hurt my David! I want him nice and strong for the celebration after the World Series when I tie him up in my basement with whips and chains and, wait, what?



* Lock pending steroids investigations

It's March Madness baby!

It's time for everyone's favorite tournament! No, not that one, the World Baseball Classic! Intensity was high as literally dozens of people flocked to Dolphin Stadium to watch the United States take on the Netherlands in an elimination game. The winner would earn the right to get walloped, er face, the loser of tonight's Puerto Rico verus Venezuela game. The US clung to a slim 8-1 lead in the 8th inning when the Americans felt Bryan Engelhardt admired his home run a little too long. Alleged Major Leaguer Matt Lindstrom threw behind the next batter, Vince Rooi, raising the ire of the mighty Dutch. Bad words were shouted in Lindstrom's general direction while former Major League pitcher and Dutch pitching coach Bert Blylyven milled about and looked confused. Lindstrom bravely hid behind his catcher before departing with a sore shoulder. The US prevailed 9-3 and will likely play one more game as their hopes rest on the wimpy left arm of Ted Lilly.