Comments on: Puerto Rico boots the U.S. out of the World Baseball Classic http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Sat, 25 May 2013 01:31:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: allen227 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457158 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:33:47 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457158 The USAs second tier team maybe.

]]> By: paperlions http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457120 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:21:02 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457120 Probably because he was asleep.

]]> By: jimeejohnson http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457118 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:17:34 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457118 Jorma!

]]> By: jimeejohnson http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457116 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:15:59 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457116 I think you’re lying.

]]> By: edmata http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457095 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:31:51 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457095 The difference between Stanton and Avile, Figueroa, and Adrian is that unlike Stanton, the other three players; both parents aren’t from the US. Aviles’s, and Figueroa’s mom and dad are from P.R. Adrian’s mom and dad are from mexico. Only Stanton’s mom is from P.R + Stanton was born and raise in the US, so that basically makes him more of a “American” than “Puerto Rican”.

]]> By: Old Gator http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457079 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:07:02 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457079 I can do that. Okay, let’s start easy with the half-lotus position. Place your palms upon your knees. Clear your mind; you’re a professional athlete. Excellent. Now, I want you to begin by envisioning the Muladhara chakra located in your asshole. See the little kundalini curled up in there?* Good. Now, let’s start bringing it up to Svadisthana chakra located in your you-know-whats….

*Also celebrated in the Hot Tuna song “Serpent of Dreams.”

]]> By: jwbiii http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457064 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:39:15 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457064 No. The US tv market for the WBC is fairly modest.

The Japanese are another story.
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/march/the-world-baseball-classic-outrated-the-olympics-in-japan.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

]]> By: historiophiliac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457058 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:31:47 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457058 You might as well teach him some meditation exercises to fill all his down time while you’re at it.

]]> By: Old Gator http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457053 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:19:23 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457053 Welcome back to spring training, Iron Giant. Today, we’re going to study laying off outside pitches, inside pitches, high pitches and pitches in the dirt – because that’s most of what you’re going to see this season what with all the protection in the lineup of an Al Queda bigshot in Waziristan with a target painted on top of his turban.

]]> By: indaburg http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457025 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:08:39 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457025 I agree. When Hosmer came up to bat, I was wondering why Torre didn’t pinch hit for him. I also questioned (before Pestano stunk up the joint) pulling Vogelsong when he was still pitches short of the 80 pitch limit.

]]> By: The Dangerous Mabry http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457019 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 12:24:27 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457019 Oh right. And the US squad was shut down by Nelson Figueroa. From Brooklyn

]]> By: blacksables http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457015 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:20:09 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457015 Because that one pitch affected the game more than the 300+ other pitches thrown?

]]> By: beerndrums http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457001 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:23:11 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457001 LMAO

]]> By: 1943mrmojorisin1971 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-457000 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:57:01 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-457000 Right, because Hernadez (Hernandez?) wouldn’t want to rep Venezuela and pitch in front of plugs like Miggy Cabrera.

]]> By: 1943mrmojorisin1971 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456999 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:53:25 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456999 …..because I’m not sure what league Rollins is a #2 hitter in, and I dont’ think anybody else here can provide an answer. That’s why.

Also, even with that lineup, I bet they lose. As long as this tourny is of minimal significance none of the big dogs aka the USA will play up to their potential. It’s a Spring Training alternative to them.

]]> By: 1943mrmojorisin1971 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456997 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:48:37 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456997 This really reminds me of the World Hockey Championship because Canada should run away with that thing every year but they rarely do. Other countries want it more and that’s awesome to watch. Even better than my team dominating like they should.

Stacked teams falling will certainly drum up interest for this tourny and I hope that’s what happens over the next few years. I haven’t been watching much of it but that’s about to change.

]]> By: andreweac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456990 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:46:29 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456990 Joe Torre, and his sacrifice bunts, are/is a terrorist sleeper agent. We will learn this in 50 years when the CIA files become public. Trust me.

]]> By: joerymi http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456989 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:45:43 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456989 I am of the opinion that even with a US dream team at the WBC, few would care in the United States. If MLB took an NHL style olympic break (will never happen), then people might give a damn.

]]> By: weaselpuppy http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456988 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:32:38 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456988 he was never all that…rode the Bankee payroll to WS titles. Same deal w Phil Jackson…most overrated coach in any sport of all time

]]> By: nobby821 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456983 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:28:54 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456983 Haha yeah and no Price or Hernadez

]]> By: The Dangerous Mabry http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456980 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:18:20 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456980 Exactly. From the article above:

..He was staked to an early 1-0 lead when Mike Aviles hit a two-out RBI single to right in the top of the first…

That’s Mike Aviles from New York, NY.

…He immediately surrendered a single to Aviles, then walked Alex Rios to load the bases….

The very same Alex Rios born in Coffee, AL.

And of course we all know that Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego whooped up on the USA while playing for Mexico.

The very nature of the USA (a nation of immigrants) means that a lot of Americans self-identify as something other than American, and therefore don’t play for the States.

]]> By: halohonk http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456976 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 04:14:26 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456976 There is a reason Torre doesn’t manage anymore. He sucks!

]]> By: schlom http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456969 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:42:19 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456969 Why in the world didn’t Torre pinch-hit for Hosmer in the 8th inning with the bases loaded? Hosmer is one of the worst batters in baseball against left-handed pitching – ranking 216th of 227 batters with over 200 PA’s against lefties since he’s been in the majors (http://bit.ly/YB0ZWu). Pretty much any right-handed hitter would have been better in that spot.

I think the only person with a worse WBC than Torre was Angel Hernandez. Torre used Bloomquist when he shouldn’t have (to start against the DR) and then doesn’t use him when he should have (to PH for Hosmer).

]]> By: schlom http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456966 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:35:36 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456966 That’s not true, he was born in Southern California. His mother is Puerto Rican so he could have played for them if he wanted but he is from the US (although not like the PR players aren’t either).

]]> By: 13arod http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456965 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:33:38 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456965 You know that stanton is from puerto rico so he could have played for them

]]> By: goskinsvt http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456961 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:17:59 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456961 That Adam Jones strike 3 call has me on life tilt.

]]> By: Jackson http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456960 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:17:49 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456960 The hindsight is 20/20 here. People want the US to win and claim the reason is because we don’t have the best players. On the other hand, if a superstar player were to suffer and injury that costs him the season, then the fans of that player’s respective team will put a big stink about how the WBC is pointless and players should be more focused on spring training, getting ready for the regular season and winning a world series.

]]> By: ironman721 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456956 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:13:51 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456956 And now the ratings drop through the floor.

]]> By: mudhead123 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456954 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:09:12 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456954 Holland and Nathan are no where near top pitchers. Rangers fan alert

]]> By: thebadguyswon http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/puerto-rico-boots-the-u-s-out-of-the-world-baseball-classic/comment-page-1/#comment-456951 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:58:35 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=312719#comment-456951 Why couldn’t we have this?

Trout CF
Rollins SS
Stanton RF
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
Wright 3B
Posey C
Kinsler 2B

SP Verlander
SP Kershaw
SP Dickey
SP Gonzalez
RP Kimbrel
RP Papelbon
RP Nathan
RP Holland

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