They Don't Need No Stinking Badges

Team Mexico won, 2-1, against the US last night in the World Baseball Classic, eliminating the Americans. Too bad for us, I guess. But it sets up a 3rd game between Japan and Korea, who have a great rivalry going. What's better than Yankee fans vs. Red Sox Nation? Actual countries mixing it up on the diamond. That will be an exceptional game. I look forward to Chris's reports from Tokyo on how the nation responds. Hell, I'd like to hear what his wife, Kelly, thinks, since she is from Korea.

I don't have a horse in this race anymore, though I wouldn't mind seeing dark horse Cuba advance. Not because I'm any fan of Cuba (Abajo Fidel!), but it would be unexpected and interesting. DR vs. Korea (both favorites going into the tournament) is just, I don't know, conventional. Plus, the Cubans are mysterious - I think all of the Dominican starters are major league regulars, and most of the Koreans are known quantities. But who can guess what players will come out of the unreconstructed socialist anachronism that is Cuba?

In other news, my shoulder is getting better. It is no longer especially sore, and while the abrasion is still tender, it is healing quickly. I was reminded, too late, that super glue was originally developed as a liquid bandage / artificial skin. I could have used that instead of the duct tape - very cool. Well, we live and we learn.

Filed in: Baseball