Cuba beats Japan 4-2 in Olympic baseball opener

Thursday 14th August, 03:52 AM JST

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14 Comments

some14some at 07:02 AM JST - 14th August

Half hearted half broadcast by NHK and ultimately Team Hoshino scoring half that of Cuba and lost first game.

“He was not in good form,” his manager said. “He didn’t do his job today.”

Darvish did his job well but it was Cuba who made him look like Igawa former Hanshin Pitcher.
chibaman at 08:43 AM JST - 14th August

Surely this has something to do with the new 11th inning tiebreak format creating injustices all over the place. Oh wait. First Japan has to score an equal number of runs as their opponent before that kicks in.

"Today, just today, they are better than us," Japan manager Senichi Hoshino said.

And they will be next time too, you tough-talking loser. You have no excuses for today's loss, but I'm sure there will be some outrageous anti-Japan injustice sometime over the next week or so and that is why Japan didn't get the gold medal it is a shoe-in to win.
pathat at 09:04 AM JST - 14th August

A bunch of Cuba`s best are in the majors, or have defected and are waiting their chance, and cannot play in the Olympics. The Dominican Republic is one of the top baseball countries in the world, perhaps has even more talented players than Japan, and they do not even send a team to the Olympics. Stop making excuses! Japan has sent a lot of its best from NPB. If they do not win, too bad, so sad.
rajakumar at 09:24 AM JST - 14th August

No problems here, last 2004 olympics also, many nations ,lost to Cuba team, who got gold in 2004 games.
kornholio at 10:10 AM JST - 14th August

the top 4 advance to the medal rounds. my pics Japan, Cuba, USA, Korea.

Gold Cuba Silver Japan Bronze USA
smithinjapan at 11:39 AM JST - 14th August

Cuba is just a better team, with better rounded players. Japan has some awesome players, to be sure, and are a tenacious lot when it comes to baseball, but some of the players are too meek and, like in soccer, seem almost relieved when giving up a good chance to take the advantage and move ahead. In domestic play, not at all the case.

Anyway, sorry, but I'm happy they lost. I have heard NOTHING coming up to the Olympics but how everyone is looking forward to baseball and how sad that in 2012 Japan won't be able to win the gold because there's no baseball.

Finally, lamenting facts like, "...Ichiro was not in China..." is nothing but a wasted excuse. Cuba has plenty of ace players in the majors, many of whom are now American (in fact, recruited and given citizenship in a rush to get them on Major League teams). If Ichiro were here playing all we would see is him smashing his helmet against the ground in the dugout, cursing countries like 'the garlic eaters (Korea)' -- his words! -- and crying about how unfair things are.

Also, I was sick of commentators pinning this whole thing on Darvish. Sure, he is the pitcher who let things get out of hand originally, but then Naruse basically drove in the runs (and looked like he wet his pants when he didn't know where to throw the ball!). Excuses, excuses... they're not limited to Japan, by any means, but Japan sure depends on them when they are let down. Cuba outplayed them, as they have SIX TIMES in the Olympics! That's the bottom line.
romulus3 at 11:51 AM JST - 14th August

romulus supported Cuba. Happy birthday Castro.
ExPrinceska at 12:14 PM JST - 14th August

Happy birthday to Castro from me. A good present from baseball team of Cuba!
Crucifier99 at 12:23 PM JST - 14th August

“Today, just today, they are better than us,” Japan manager Senichi Hoshino said. “But the Japanese team is good.” Today and just today they were good and any other day we are better than them arrogant and sore loser.
Peaceful_Man at 02:14 PM JST - 14th August

A champion team will always beat a team of champions
smithinjapan at 03:01 PM JST - 14th August

"Today, just today, they are better than us,"

Ummmm... yeah.... today, just today, and just every other time you've faced them save once or twice. How many Cubans (or ex-Cubans) in the major league? Japanese?
DS at 04:38 PM JST - 14th August

A well earned victory by Cuba. Team Hoshino looked timid,the Cubans played with more fire and pride.

The Japanese have to stop playing yakyuu and start playing baseball.
Sarge at 04:45 PM JST - 14th August

"The Japanese have to stop playing yakyuu and start playing baseball"

Har!
FrEcKlEfAcE at 07:15 PM JST - 14th August

I am not suprised there was no mention of Hoshino nearly being thrown out for arguing a check-swing. That was funny. LOL