World Baseball Classic thread

[philly30]

It's almost comical how dismissive America is about the WBC. I tuned into sports radio today and they were cracking jokes the entire time by asking if it was being televised, etc. Having it compete with March Madness isn't ideal.

 

But it's clear it's having a big impact internationally. I think baseball really needs to think long and hard about expanding it as well as figuring out a way to juice the Olympics some.

 

I was dismissive at first but all in now, stay away from sports talk radio, it just kills brain cells

[Terminator]

I was dismissive at first but all in now, stay away from sports talk radio, it just kills brain cells

 

I almost never listen to it. Especially in Denver where it REALLY sucks but I gave it a true when the indie station was playing some garbage. I regret it.

[Spanky__99]

Great game, tonight should be good.

[BigCecil]

I have a hard time understanding the negativity for this tourney from some circles. This is good for the game.

 

Last night was a game for the ages as millions of fans in Japan and Mexico lived through joy and agony.

 

As a baseball fan, how could you ask for anything more than that? Incredible. Ohtani's plate approach in the 9th was awesome. MEX was soooo close to pulling off a massive upset. Just wow. What a game.

[Spanky__99]

I have a hard time understanding the negativity for this tourney from some circles. This is good for the game.

 

Last night was a game for the ages as millions of fans in Japan and Mexico lived through joy and agony.

 

As a baseball fan, how could you ask for anything more than that? Incredible. Ohtani's plate approach in the 9th was awesome. MEX was soooo close to pulling off a massive upset. Just wow. What a game.

 

Preach man... from the QF's on this tourney is fantastic.

[Brownie19]

I have a hard time understanding the negativity for this tourney from some circles. This is good for the game.

 

Last night was a game for the ages as millions of fans in Japan and Mexico lived through joy and agony.

 

As a baseball fan, how could you ask for anything more than that? Incredible. Ohtani's plate approach in the 9th was awesome. MEX was soooo close to pulling off a massive upset. Just wow. What a game.

 

I hope baseball fans realize just how special Ohtani is. This is a once in a lifetime talent - one of the most unique and polarizing talents in baseball history.

[Laika]

I have a hard time understanding the negativity for this tourney from some circles. This is good for the game.

 

Last night was a game for the ages as millions of fans in Japan and Mexico lived through joy and agony.

 

As a baseball fan, how could you ask for anything more than that? Incredible. Ohtani's plate approach in the 9th was awesome. MEX was soooo close to pulling off a massive upset. Just wow. What a game.

 

It's just infinite cope from Americans because a bunch of their players don't go, and they don't dominate it every year like they would in international basketball.

 

It is clear at this point that the WBC is VERY popular in Asia and Central America.

 

Canadians are also whiny cope artists when it comes to the WBC, but take out the part about even expecting to be good.

[Brownie19]

I was dismissive at first but all in now, stay away from sports talk radio, it just kills brain cells

 

I really agree with this. One of the best things I've done was remove Fan 590 from the preset dial and stopped listening to all pre and post game talk.

[Virgil_Hiltz]

I really agree with this. One of the best things I've done was remove Fan 590 from the preset dial and stopped listening to all pre and post game talk.

 

Haven't listened much to the post game since the Scott Ferguson days! Seemed like it was just the same 4 callers phoning up complaining about the 2 same subjects...having Wilner on there also contributed to the final deciding factor.

Surprising to say the least that I was blocked by Wilner on twitter and I have never even communicated with him.

Sad to see how far The Fan 590 has fallen but richly deserved.

[Stangstag]

It's almost comical how dismissive America is about the WBC. I tuned into sports radio today and they were cracking jokes the entire time by asking if it was being televised, etc. Having it compete with March Madness isn't ideal.

 

But it's clear it's having a big impact internationally. I think baseball really needs to think long and hard about expanding it as well as figuring out a way to juice the Olympics some.

 

Imagine thinking college basketball is more important than the Baseball equivalent of the world cup... America man.

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Imagine thinking college basketball is more important than the Baseball equivalent of the world cup... America man.

 

Madness is correct!

[Brownie19]

What baseball are they using for the WBC? I assume the one used in MLB? Doesn't Japan use a slightly smaller ball that causes some pitchers issues when they first come over to the states?

[Stangstag]

What baseball are they using for the WBC? I assume the one used in MLB? Doesn't Japan use a slightly smaller ball that causes some pitchers issues when they first come over to the states?

 

Probably MLB ball. Japanese starter yesterday was going to the rosin bag in between every single pitch and the commentators were pointing it out. I guess the size has been fine

[Carlos Danger]

Imagine thinking college basketball is more important than the Baseball equivalent of the world cup... America man.

 

$$$$$$$ March Madness has been ingrained in American Culture for years. Everyone from the senile old President down to the housewife doing Pilates has half an eye on the bracket. Either they are in an office/friends pool, like an underdog story, are alumni or friends or family are, or just out of curiosity.

 

The WBC is relatively very new and takes long breaks, doesn’t have a long play in like soccer etc. I like the WBC, but it needs to develop the brand in the US.

[Stangstag]

$$$$$$$ March Madness has been ingrained in American Culture for years. Everyone from the senile old President down to the housewife doing Pilates has half an eye on the bracket. Either they are in an office/friends pool, like an underdog story, are alumni or friends or family are, or just out of curiosity.

 

The WBC is relatively very new and takes long breaks, doesn’t have a long play in like soccer etc. I like the WBC, but it needs to develop the brand in the US.

 

I understand what you’re saying, but its still college basketball vs the best players in the world competing against each other. Not really comparable.

 

Hopefully the WBC continues to grow and people give more of a s***, but they’ll need to overcome the greedy owners who only care about lining their own pockets short-term

[philly30]

Imagine thinking college basketball is more important than the Baseball equivalent of the world cup... America man.

 

Down south if cars are not going around in a circle then no one cares, or college football in some places

[philly30]

Haven't listened much to the post game since the Scott Ferguson days! Seemed like it was just the same 4 callers phoning up complaining about the 2 same subjects...having Wilner on there also contributed to the final deciding factor.

Surprising to say the least that I was blocked by Wilner on twitter and I have never even communicated with him.

Sad to see how far The Fan 590 has fallen but richly deserved.

 

Here the morning idiot that just retired took 30 people to the NFL draft in 99 and they booed Donovan Mcnabb because they wanted Ricky Williams, to this day they are treated like royalty even though it was obvious ,Mcnabb was the correct pick. These are the types that call in

[glory]

$$$$$$$ March Madness has been ingrained in American Culture for years. Everyone from the senile old President down to the housewife doing Pilates has half an eye on the bracket. Either they are in an office/friends pool, like an underdog story, are alumni or friends or family are, or just out of curiosity.

 

The WBC is relatively very new and takes long breaks, doesn’t have a long play in like soccer etc. I like the WBC, but it needs to develop the brand in the US.

 

Yeah, March Madness is an institution in the US while the WBC is still a relatively new concept. Not to mention there has been a 6 year break with the WBC due to the pandemic. It's going to take time to grow it domestically. The quality of play in this WBC will certainly help though. Seeing a lot more buzz for it on social media in the past few days. Ultimately I think the goal of this is more to grow the game globally rather than just in the US.

[Brownie19]

That - and March Madness is a pretty awesome event in its own right.

[Krylian]

I must be the only person who doesn't care at all about the WBC.

[wilko]

I must be the only person who doesn't care at all about the WBC.

 

Ok Adam Dunn.

[JFD]

I have a hard time understanding the negativity for this tourney from some circles. This is good for the game.

 

Last night was a game for the ages as millions of fans in Japan and Mexico lived through joy and agony.

 

As a baseball fan, how could you ask for anything more than that? Incredible. Ohtani's plate approach in the 9th was awesome. MEX was soooo close to pulling off a massive upset. Just wow. What a game.

 

Negativity comes mostly from the timing I think and it probably could be better. Personally, I would like to see this every year. Maybe replace the allstar festival with it. Obviously would need a longer break but it could be done. Or maybe it interferes with too many other leagues.. I don't know why they picked this time of year to do it.

[Jonn]

I must be the only person who doesn't care at all about the WBC.

 

You’re not. I couldn’t careless about it. Haven’t watched a single pitch. Just glad there’s no Blue Jays in it so we don’t have to worry about injury.

[Grant77]

Negativity comes mostly from the timing I think and it probably could be better. Personally, I would like to see this every year. Maybe replace the allstar festival with it. Obviously would need a longer break but it could be done. Or maybe it interferes with too many other leagues.. I don't know why they picked this time of year to do it.

 

The NHL used to do it every 4 years and the only holdup was negotiating with the IOC. Since MLB kind of owns thr WBC, I don't see any good reason why it shouldn't or couldn't be mid-season. The same players who actually give a damn about their nation would still participate and you might even get a few others.

[Stangstag]

Down south if cars are not going around in a circle then no one cares, or college football in some places

 

I don’t understand the infatuation with College sports that America has. Wouldn’t you want to watch the best?

[Stangstag]

I must be the only person who doesn't care at all about the WBC.

 

You’re not. I couldn’t careless about it. Haven’t watched a single pitch. Just glad there’s no Blue Jays in it so we don’t have to worry about injury.

 

Yall are pretend baseball fans and you should be ashamed

 

Even Brownie came around

[Carlos Danger]

I don’t understand the infatuation with College sports that America has. Wouldn’t you want to watch the best?

 

Do you watch junior hockey, AAA baseball, CFL? You never watched any of your high school teams?

 

Friday night High School Football games in the South are probably bigger than the pro level in some other sports. People have a connection with their school or a school for whatever reason.

[Stangstag]

Do you watch junior hockey, AAA baseball, CFL? You never watched any of your high school teams?

 

Friday night High School Football games in the South are probably bigger than the pro level in some other sports. People have a connection with their school or a school for whatever reason.

 

My answer to all of those is… no.

 

Sure i’ve seen a few here and there but not more than like 5 or so in my lifetime.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever watched a highschool or Uni sport game.

[Stangstag]

Like I guess if you live somewhere without a major-franchise team then I could understand getting attached to the local college/A ball team.

 

But i’ve lived in the GTA my entire life and major league teams have always been available to watch.

 

Idk I still don’t get the infatuation with college sports

[philly30]

I don’t understand the infatuation with College sports that America has. Wouldn’t you want to watch the best?

 

I enjoy College Basketball and Football but in some areas it is an obsession, don't know if you have ever been to Texas or Georgia and places like that, I have, it is different to say the least