World Baseball Classic IGD: Cuba @ Dominican Republic
Sat, Mar 18, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 12:00 noon, PT
television: ESPN
matchup: Bartolo Colon vs Yadel Marti
Well, the games finally have arrived in San Diego. Today’s opener sees two Caribbean nations do battle. Many of the names on the Dominican squad are familiar (Albert Pujols, Moises Alou, Luis Polonia (?!)). Due to politics, and not lack of talent, the Cuban team is not full of household names. But they have thrived on the international scene for many years and cannot be underestimated.
Rain fell through much of the night here in San Diego, but that seems to have stopped for the moment and isn’t due back until about 4 p.m. Now it is just overcast, breezy, and a little damp, with temperatures in the mid-50s. So if you’re headed out to the game, be sure to dress warmly (but you know that about Petco Park early in the season). If not, hang out here and chat. I’ll be coming home between games and post pictures then.
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March 18, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Off topic, but a nice article on Cameron by Jerry Crasnick:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2370085
March 18, 2006 at 12:39 pm
That Cuba/DR matchup should be a heckuva game. Wish I was there, I’d definitely go.
March 18, 2006 at 4:47 pm
Headed out for the 7:00 WBC game. Got killer seats, right on top of the third base dugout. Hope I don’t get rained on.
March 18, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Sumbitch, I spelt my own danged name wrong.
And I ain’t even started drinkin’ yet.
March 18, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Just back from the game. Random thoughts… Count me as sold on the WBC idea. Thoroughly enjoyed it. David beats Goliath, 3-1. That Goliath.. what a loser. Cuba hit more singles bounced over the 2nd base bag then I’ve ever seen in one game. Great pitching; surprisingly sketchy defense… maybe ’cause that Cuba team is awfully young and was on a big international stage. Cuba also ran themselves out of a couple innings. Big Dominican bats definitely have some rust on them. Best music at a ballpark I’ve ever heard. I think Tavarez took 20 minutes to throw 7 pitches in the 7th, well, it seemed that way anyway. Turned out to be a beautiful day, lots of sun, clouds moving past frequently.