Beisbol del Bueno

If you'll forgive my bastardized Spanish, allow me to say, in proper Queen's English, I told you so. Baseball is back, and just as entertaining as ever. Last night, the Netherlands, behind Yurendell DeCaster, knocked out the heavily favored Dominican Republic in an extra-inning thriller, 2-1. The Dutch victory, their second over the MLB-ready Dominican team in less than a week, put them in the second round of the surprisingly entertaining World Baseball Classic.

The Dominican Republic was, by far, one of the most talented teams in the Classic. Their stacked roster included, to name just a few, major leaguers David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, Robinson Cano, Jose Guillen, and pitchers Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto and Ubaldo Jimenez, who notched 10 strike outs in four innings last night, a WBC record. Needless to say, last night's loss was unexpected. Ortiz summed up the magnitude of the Netherland's improbable victory over the so-called "Republic of Baseball": 

Oh, God, thank God I don’t have to go back home for a while. I’m telling you right now, in the Dominican, there had [sic] to be a blackout right now.

[...] I tell you, the whole world is shocked now. Even in Japan, they’re like 'What the heck?' in Japanese.

At least Ortiz doesn't play soccer for Colombia. He and his teammates would be dead by now. 

Although he makes no specific mention of Japan--or homicide, for that matter-- SI scribe Tom Verducci puts last night's game into proper perspective:

Baseball became a truly global game when the Netherlands, the international baseball version of Buster Douglas, the 1980 U.S. hockey team and the Milan Indians rolled into one, put the tournament on the map by upsetting the heavily favored, star-studded Dominican Republic team, 2-1. Talk about shocking the world. Go crazy, Rotterdam, go crazy.

[...] Major League Baseball can work all of its machinations to pump up interest in the tournament, such as marketing and broadcasting. But there is nothing more powerful to sell the tournament than the unscripted magnificence of the game itself, never more so than when what we regard as the meek overtake the mighty. The Dominicans, because of the country's abiding love for baseball, will bear grief and shame for the defeat.

Round Two begins on Saturday. If you haven't watched a game yet, please do. It's worth it. For a full schedule, take a look over here. 

Play Ball!

I know it's only the World Baseball Classic, but baseball is officially back. I trust I'm not alone in thinking this past winter has been one of the longest on record. Ever since the Phillies knocked off the upstart Rays on a rain-soaked October night, I've been chomping at the bit to watch meaningful baseball games again. The quasi-resurgence of the Knicks has been a welcome distraction, but baseball, I find, is a much more pleasant viewing experience. There's just something soothing, even reassuring, about the game, which basketball, and its frenetic 82-game schedule, while compulsively entertaining, can't offer. 

Needless to say, then, I'll be watching the Netherlands take on the Dominican Republic this morning and, later, Team USA against Team Canada this afternoon, instead of the Pitt-UConn rematch.  Of course, the beauty of baseball also includes the opportunity to check in on other games in between pitches and innings.

To help you get in the proper baseball mood, here's a Dustin Pedroia commercial for MLB 09, a video game which seems to think the 2008 AL MVP and Team USA starting second baseman can't hit the inside fastball.  Pedroia begs to differ.