The W.B.C.

Well the first round is over here and the obvious BIG upset is that Korea is out. I guess I am a little sad as now Koreans won't have any interest in the tournament and it's fun to cheer for Korea when you actually care about the sport (I actively want them to lose in soccer events). However it goes on with japan and Taiwan representing Asia. However, I think this year it will be the US or Dominican republic. Japan's best are sitting it out (Ichiro, Darvish, Fukudome and Matsui are all out, though in Matsui's case he did recently retire).

Team Canada starts up Friday very am here so I doubt I'll get to watch any of their games, however despite Russel Martin's absence the team looks good enough to get in to the next round. I'll try to watch as many as I can but it may prove hard. I'm more likely to see the Taiwanese and Japanese games.

I'm also going to defend Martin here briefly from the flack he's getting in Canada. First off, Lawrie's a piece of shit and anyone who throws a helmet at an umpire should spending the rest of their career in the Mexican pro leagues. Second, he has a HUGE contract with the Pirates and wasn't willing to catch without the warm up required after an injury filled 2012. Fair enough. Many top stars passed on the big game including the above mentioned Japanese players. His bid to play shortstop was stupid and he should have pulled out a bit sooner but so what, get off him. Votto didn't opt IN until the last possible minute, is he a dick? Perhaps if Canadians could be bothered to support any sport besides hockey there would be more than two catchers to choose from.

Anyway, I'm calling the US or Dominican as this years winner. Japan looks good and have the best of NPB playing with them but without the real big stars they are in trouble.