It's all about the World Baseball Classic...

And what a massive upset, once again, by the Dutch. Incredible. Over the big bad Dominicans? You've got to be kidding me. As my Dutch coworker said brilliantly (and as dry as a desert in mid summer), "They must be pouring into the streets in Amsterdam." (I bet they are pouring into the streets in the DR... for different reasons. Lookout!) I wonder if the Netherlands people care? I hope so; their boys played with heart and showed real fight, particularly after going down 1-0 in the top of the 11th. Many teams would have caved in that situation. But to score 2 in the bottom of the inning? Just remarkable. Granted, some shoddy defense by the DR helped but that's baseball, end of story.

And my Aussies (yes, my other team), nearly pulled off a massive shocker against the Cubans. A 2 out, 2 run home run by the Cuban pinch hitter spelled doom for the boys from Down Under (off former UNSW pitcher Richard Thompson, played before I played for Uni.) A tough loss. But the Aussie spirits have got to be high. They went blow for blow with one of the best teams in the world. Anyone who questions whether the Aussies deserve to be here is kidding themselves. These boys can play. I fully expect the boys to represent Aus well tomorrow against the Mexicans: Bring the thunder boys!

Good to see our former UNSW teammate Al Angelucci pitching for South Africa yesterday against Mexico. He got hit around and didn't help himself with 3 walks. But don't forget: Al's just turned 20. He's got a live arm and is still learning. Against Mexcio? Many pitchers have gotten hit hard by the Mexicans. Good luck to Al this season with San Diego.

My boys from the US play tomorrow in a rematch with Venezuela. Got to think Venezuela plays better this time around. Both teams are through to the 2nd round. The winner of this game plays the loser of the Puerto Rico vs Holland game. Of course you'd rather play Holland than Puerto Rico... but the US can handle PR too. Let's see how this one plays out. I expect a closer game, maybe 7-5 to the US.

Two posts in a row? Wow...