Japan hammers S Korea 14-2 to book berth in 2nd round of WBC

Sunday 08th March, 04:29 AM JST

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Hotbox08 at 12:32 PM JST - 8th March

My answer would be to pass on Ichiro.

I would too. Instead, put in Aoki or Kawasaki. They both can hit better and are ultra fast on the basepaths.
Hotbox08 at 12:39 PM JST - 8th March

This was a quote made by the South Korean coach answering the question why they lost:

“Japan has four or five major leaguers and we don’t have enough,” said South Korea’s manager Kim In-sik. “We won in the Olympics last year but are missing several key players and that’s a big difference.”

I see no mention made of any sloppy play in his comments, as some posters would have you believe.
Hotbox08 at 12:47 PM JST - 8th March

The D.R. is obviously a favorite to win the whole shebang but are now in jeopardy of going home early. And how about the border skirmish between the USA and Canada ? Wild game won by the Americans.

Yeah, it goes to show you that having major leaguers on your roster doesn't equate to guarantee wins. I bet that most people don't realize that Chinese Taipei had 9 major leaguers on their roster, but still ended up exiting this tournament early. Cuba has no major leaguers on its current roster, but remains one of the favorites to win it all.
smithinjapan at 01:35 PM JST - 8th March

Hotbox: '“Japan has four or five major leaguers and we don’t have enough,” said South Korea’s manager Kim In-sik. “We won in the Olympics last year but are missing several key players and that’s a big difference.” I see no mention made of any sloppy play in his comments, as some posters would have you believe.'

I don't agree with the Korean coach's comments -- they sound like poor sportsmanship. If Ichiro's performance is indicative of a Major League Player's importance, I'd say they don't have any importance whatsoever. It was clearly just poor work by the Koreans, whether or not they had major leaguers.

As such I agree 100% with your second post (or latest), in which you say a team roster full of major league players does not equate or guarantee wins.

The Canada/US game should also be an example of this. Canada SHOULD have been crushed, if you take into account the major leaguers put on both sides, and Canada's more or less unknown pitcher. Canada was leading twice until the fourth and then still put up a fight. Now THAT was a fun game.... or at least.... sounded like it on the play by play blogs.
smithinjapan at 02:49 PM JST - 8th March

"The Korean team may as well disband and just go home."

After their performance, I almost agree. I want to wait until they face off again, though. Of course, if they lose then too they really WILL have to disband and go home, but they deserve a second chance to prove that they are better than they played last night.
BurakuminDes at 03:44 PM JST - 8th March

Crikey, what a hiding, 14-2. It was embarassing to watch even a little of it. Were the South Korean players just college kids in there for a bit of hit and a giggle and the experience?
thorgrimfile at 04:50 PM JST - 8th March

Wow. Just wow. I especially loved the one guy's comment above that Korea rolled over because, "This evening contest was nothing more than a "practice" game". So Korea 'allowed' themselves to be humiliated by their hated Japanese arch-rivals, all in the name of 'practice', cause you know, they be savin' their strength for the next round. What a cunning plan! I'm sure their fans must have congratulated them for their determination and discipline is sucking it up like that, LOL.

And sure, Ichiro should have a digit lopped off every time he lays down a bunt instead of swinging for the fences like the home run mashing power hitter he is, the big woos!

Am I the only one who things the Japan-ball bashing going on here is just a tad absurd? Come on, it was a decent, if certainly not perfect (what game ever is?), showing by Japan. Pitching was adequate, and only Ogasawara seemed to have trouble reaching base. Seemed a pretty solid 14-2 victory by Japan over the Olympic champs (over guys who beat Cuba 6 months ago). But hey, what do I know?
SuperLib at 05:00 PM JST - 8th March

I was interested in seeing an exciting game, something to continue the rivalry of Japan-Korea baseball. But it just seemed like the Koreans weren't mentally in the game. Too bad. Hopefully the next one will be closer and the rivalry can continue to grow and become really special over the years.
smithinjapan at 08:57 PM JST - 8th March

SuperLib: No kidding... one of the worst games I've seen. I have no idea if the game China just got slaughtered in was less interesting, since I couldn't find it on TV.
throwinstones at 10:12 PM JST - 8th March

thorgrimfile, your comments seem to be directed my way so I'll defend them.

"I especially loved the one guy's comment above that Korea rolled over because, "This evening contest was nothing more than a "practice" game". So Korea 'allowed' themselves to be humiliated by their hated Japanese arch-rivals, all in the name of 'practice'"

First of all the WBC is just that, pre-season exhibition games for every major leaguer with a multi-million dollar contract. Explains why players like Matsuzaka, Ichiro, Johjima, Fukudome, and the whole Dominican Republic infield have been stinkin' up the joint early on. These guys are playin' about 70%, which was more than good enough for Japan against Koreas starter Kim. Like I said before, weak stuff ! This guy has no shot at a MLB contract, unlike Sydney Ponson of the Netherlands who has just become the talk of the town after shutting down the Dominicans. The Koreans knew that Kim was not their ace. They also knew a loss to Japan, on home soil, wouldn't knock them from the tourney. They also knew that they could handle China comfortably, which they did 14-0, to gain another shot at Japan. Now the real question, the winner of group A will probably face Mexico. The runner-up will get the Cubans, who will eventually face the winner of the Japan Mexico game. So choose yer poison, get the Cubans early or later on... I'd like em early if I had to pick. Get at em before their bats come alive.

Once again, very disappointing that Japan did not televise the China Korea game on terrestrial television. Japan's attemts to gain profits and promote Japan over the main objective of the tournement... to promote "baseball" is just plain frustrating.
Kreza23 at 12:32 AM JST - 9th March

throwinstones - Korea's starting pitcher, who you keep bashing about having no shot at the MLB, was the same guy that shut down just about everybody at the Olympics. His velocity may have been a tad low by MLB standards, but it isn't velocity that makes a pitcher great. It's the ability to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance. Greg Maddux is a great example of this. Kim had a poor showing, but he is a very solid pitcher.

smithinjapan - Ichiro had three hits. Yes, he struck out once, but he did a great job at the plate on the whole. Great hitters will go about .333 for a full season, meaning they won't get a hit 2/3 of the time. I don't how much you follow baseball, but if you're expecting him to never strike out and get a hit every time he's up to bat, those are very unrealistic expectations. 3-5 at the plate is a great showing.

Anyways, congrats on their win against China today. Can't wait to see the next game!
LoveUSA at 12:06 PM JST - 9th March

Darvish, Darvish, Darvish - adorable and admirable!
IchyaWarFare at 03:35 PM JST - 9th March

Kreza23 - Thank you! Very solid points.

People we are in Japan? We are not in America. They can do whatever nationalist thing they want and we do not get a say. Stop complaining, what am I talking about, you are going to do it anyway.
Hotbox08 at 06:12 PM JST - 9th March

The Canada/US game should also be an example of this. Canada SHOULD have been crushed,

Great point, smithinjapan. They should have been crushed and the American team should have hung their heads in a bit of shame, instead of all the dancing, prancing and hollering (as if they won the World Series), like they did after that game. I can't believe Team U.S.A. hasn't come to the reality that the world has caught up to them in baseball. I still remember the comments made in the last WBC. The American players were feeling as if they could put together just about any team, show up, and win.
glaspar at 11:07 AM JST - 13th March

hotbox, i think that American attitude applies to basketball as well? I think it's cuz they haven't been beaten enough..they'll usually write it off as a freak incident or sth that won't happen again...oh well