June 16, 200520 yr Yesterday, I picked up the latest Baseball America Magazine to read more about this upcoming "World Tournament" starting right around Spring Training next year and it looks very cool. Obviously, the United States is the favorite to win and I'd be extremely mad if we pulled a Team USA Basketball and lost at our own game but some of those others teams especially in South America/Latin America and the Carribbean could suprise a few people. The Sox seem to be well represented in the "projections." They have Ozzie coaching for his country and Iguchi playing for Japan, etc. I was a little suprised with their projection as Bobby Cox as Team USA's manager and the lineup seemed to be the perfect All-Star team but we'll see how it goes. If you guys have a chance and are intrested, I'd pick up a copy and take a look, it's a good read... Later! - Mike
June 16, 200520 yr The U.S. may be the favorite, but they certainly won't be prohibitive favorites. There will be some very good teams in that tourney. If you remember correctly, the U.S. failed to qualify for the last olympics because they lost one game to Mexico.
June 16, 200520 yr Author Yeah... Unfortunately, I do remember that -- but that was different. That was amateurs. This tourney will be all MLB players
June 16, 200520 yr If all players are allowed to play (i.e. the teams don't interfere), I honestly would give the Dominican Republic as much chance as winning as the US.
June 16, 200520 yr Author Yeah... That Dominican team looks mighty tough and the projected lineup for Team USA is the typical veteran All-Stars... I'm not sure if that is the best chance of winning, maybe some younger speedy guys like a Posednik wouldn't be bad!
June 16, 200520 yr Agreed, the US will be good, but the Dominican and a few other countries will be sporting pretty good looking teams themselves. Japan will be a quality club as well considering they have quite a few good players in their league as well as in the majors.
June 20, 200520 yr The Dominican lineup is RIDICULOUS. C Olivo 1B Pujols 2B Soriano 3B Aramis Ramirez SS Tejada LF Manny Ramirez CF Jose Guillen RF Vlad Guerrero DH David Ortiz Good god. The US's chance comes in pitching. Their rotation is better, but I dare anyone to shut that lineup down.
June 20, 200520 yr QUOTE(Spiff @ Jun 19, 2005 -> 09:05 PM) The Dominican lineup is RIDICULOUS. C Olivo 1B Pujols 2B Soriano 3B Aramis Ramirez SS Tejada LF Manny Ramirez CF Jose Guillen RF Vlad Guerrero DH David Ortiz Good god. The US's chance comes in pitching. Their rotation is better, but I dare anyone to shut that lineup down. You saw my arm...
June 20, 200520 yr I forget which team, but I think its the Panama one, has Santana, Escobar, and Zambrono. Thats a whicked filthy pitching staff.
June 20, 200520 yr QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 19, 2005 -> 10:04 PM) I forget which team, but I think its the Panama one, has Santana, Escobar, and Zambrono. Thats a whicked filthy pitching staff. Venezuela = Santana, Zambrano, Freddy Garcia. They also get magglio. But I can't really think of any other stars from there. Panama= Carlos Lee.
June 20, 200520 yr QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jun 19, 2005 -> 07:08 PM) Venezuela = Santana, Zambrano, Freddy Garcia. They also get magglio. But I can't really think of any other stars from there. Panama= Carlos Lee. But that pitching staff could dominate. The lineup wasn't anything special. I think Mario Valenzuela was projected on it (former Sox farm hand). You know me, I can't make a post where I don't botch at least one thing
June 20, 200520 yr If maggs is healthy enough to play in this thing, Ozzie could be managing Maggs. That would be interesting to say the least.
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