Mighty Venezuela Falls Flat, Korea Jumps Up to the Finals

March 22, 2009

Did Venezuela lose their luggage on the trip from Florida to California?  Their uniforms made it. Their equipment made it, but one bag was missing on Saturday night‘s game against Korea:  The one that carries their dominant pitching, productive bats and defensive prowess. 

 

If so, maybe Team USA could beef up their team by buying the Venezuelan’s lost luggage for cheap here.

 

 

She-fan loves a good blowout. On occasion, it is nice when the Cardinals jump out to a big insurmountable lead.  But, when I do not really have a favorite in a game, a blowout is one big yawn. Especially, when the game is all but over in the top of the first.  Take out the first inning, Korea still wins, but it would have been a better game.

Instead of the battle I wanted, I got errors. I hate errors in the plural. A singular error falls under the category of “Oh well, stuff happens”. Korea had one of those.  Errors, in the plural, are just painful to watch. It was like watching a Venezuelan 50 car pile up–once the crashing started, it just would not stop. Boom! Smash! Crunch!

 

Oddly enough, Venezuela did get an out at the plate on a wild pitch to end an inning when the bases had been loaded. You know you are having a bad night, when your big defensive break comes on a wild pitch.  Five errors for Venezuela in a 10-2 loss.

Sadly, when a game has no ‘game’, then the broadcasters have to find other things to talk about.  Sometimes this is cool.  Like when they get to telling funny old baseball stories from their playing or early broadcasting days.  But tonight, they debated amongst themselves for two innings on how and when the WBC should be played.  It is a valid talking point.  For about one inning.  After that, it sounded like bickering.

 

On a side note, I about died laughing when one broadcaster said “US Americans”.  If you read Red State Blue State and click on the “US Americans” link you will too.  Every time I watch it, I am glad my blonde days are behind me.

 

After that the most interesting thing they found to discuss was the quilted sliding protection built into one butt cheek and thigh of the Korean’s pants.  The quilting is not surprising considering all the protection the Koreans wear while batting.  Perhaps, they have on body armor as well.

 

All whining and poking fun aside, the Koreans have played a great tournament.  The have all the tools:  pitching, speed, defense and a little power.  They have earned their spot in the finals.  Nobody should doubt their right to be there.  They are a formidable opponent.

Written by mlblogsredbirdchatter Posted in Dailies Tagged with blowout, errors, Korea, Venezuela, WBC, World Baseball Classic