Israel upsets South Korea 2-1 in WBC opener

How many of the "Israel" team are actually Israeli? I admit I am a WBC novice, but I suspect just about all are American born and bred. Wasnt there also a farcical "Italy" team a few editions back which was actually almost all American?

How many of the "Israel" team are actually Israeli? I admit I am a WBC novice, but I suspect just about all are American born and bred. Wasnt there also a farcical "Italy" team a few editions back which was actually almost all American?

What we're saying is that the mighty Korean baseball team lost to a bunch of second generation citizen Americans. I wonder if the Israeli-Americans felt the desire to place the Star Of David flag over the pitching mound? No, probably not.

TigersTokyoDOme: "What we're saying is that the mighty Korean baseball team lost to a bunch of second generation citizen Americans"

Who's "we" here, just out of curiosity?

"I wonder if the Israeli-Americans felt the desire to place the Star Of David flag over the pitching mound? No, probably not."

I wonder if they had a Korean Ichiro throwing his helmet, spitting on the ground, crying, and calling everyone the Israeli equivalent of "Garlic eaters". Yup, a big loss for South Korea, but it's not over yet, my friend. And in any case, it's already been well established that these baseball tournaments have zero meaning. None of the big players from the Major League are joining, and there are twenty other tournaments that everyone says is "the most important" until their team loses (especially Japan) and they have to hold separate medal ceremonies.

So, good on Israel -- a big win, and just coming off the heels of a win against Taiwan. I guess all the prep with lesser Japanese local teams helped.

Ike Davis began the go-ahead rally with a one-out walk in the 10th off Chang-Yong Lim and took third on Ryan Lavarnway’s single. Tyler Krieger popped out on a bunt and Burcham, a 23-year-old in the Colorado Rockies’ organization, hit a three-hopper up the middle that Geon-Chang Seo gloved with a sliding stop. The second baseman had no play as pinch runner Mike Meyers scored on the infield hit.

I know little about baseball but this paragraph is like a foreign language to me. Still, well done Israel but it's not over 'til the fat lady sings.

The WBC is without doubt the current World Championship of pro baseball. What you find however is certain nations with a really poor record in the tournament, and who do not want to put out their best team so they can immediately defend their poor record, dismissing this tournament. Korea however do have a fairly decent record in this tournament and have always faired well in all team competitions, so there is no excuse to lose to Israel, whether you fielded your best team or not. There's also another strong continent who often criticise the WBC, ("we don't play our major league players" blah, blah) even though they usually host the finals! It's very easy not to put out a decent team as an auto excuse.

TigersTokyoDome: "Korea however do have a fairly decent record in this tournament and have always faired well in all team competitions, so there is no excuse to lose to Israel, whether you fielded your best team or not."

Taiwan also lost to Israel, unless there's been a massive comeback. Perhaps it's less "no right to lose to Israel" then a congratulations to Israel is in order for doing so well thus far. Also, as mentioned by BurakuminDesu, the team seems to be made predominantly of American players, not Israelis, so it's questionable in that respect as well.

""we don't play our major league players" blah, blah"

It's a valid reason why the WBC is not at all indicative of the best players in the world by any means. Look how much people here cried about certain Japanese pitchers not being able to take part, as the media had been overhyping their chances with said pitchers. I guarantee if and when Japan loses they'll be saying that's one reason why, but you won't be saying "excuses! blah blah" then.

" What you find however is certain nations with a really poor record in the tournament, and who do not want to put out their best team so they can immediately defend their poor record, dismissing this tournament"

Because it is a meaningless tournament, period, designed by poorer teams to try and claim the world's mantle as best. The reason certain nations don't field their best players is because there is no reason to risk injury on a tournament that is just about tooting one's horn when they would lose out on the real game in the MLB, and have to sit on the DL while their team pays for them to do so. Plain and simple.

Apart from the Olympics baseball, which only comes around every 4 years, and is not even guaranteed to be included in every Olympics, this is the only pro baseball world championship at present. The major leagues are for the club teams and comprise multi-nationality members.

The WBC cannot have been designed by poorer teams as the finals are hosted in the US and while you may or may not believe that Japan are going to make excuses about certain pitchers missing from the roster, they are certainly up for it at present and always put out a strong squad.

The major leagues may be the real game for the clubs, but to gauge the best country in the world, we only have the WBC at present.

As I said previously, no excuses not to put out your strongest team. Period.

The Latin American countries are the ones whose teams are packed with top talent. Consider the killer lineup of near-anarchic Venezuela: Jose Altuve, Miguel Cabrera, Alcides Escobar, Felix Hernandez, etc. (Listed in nytimes) Pitchers are at the worst risk of injury, which explains why the US pitching staff doesn't feature any 2016 All Stars. Israel as a dark horse is an interesting start to the tourney. Can't wait to see the eventual champs.

if korea doesn't win, then the competition is rigged. Look atthe comments by korean in Japan and you can see exactly how koreans feel. lol. they will cry and whine all they want for koreans to be top and if they don't, they will do their best to discredit this torunament. typical really, just read the daily korean on this site by Korean in Japan........