baseball thread...

[Az]

I really hate the fact that the US won't send their best teams. While understandable in basketball, It's bloody hillarious that the US baseball team didn't win.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

That doesn't make any sense. Why would America limit the competitors in the Olympics if they want to win (which they do)?

[Japher]

US Olympic committe wants to encourage competition, not winning... We try to win, yes, but in the name of competition.

I really have no idea why they won't allow pros to play in some of the games I think it has to do with breeding young talent, limiting promotional playgrounds, and not making the rest of the countries look like fewls at the sports we excel at...

Really, I have no idea.

[Az]

This is even more annoying. Imagine how would you feel If europeans would've send their kiddy teams when playing against the USA?

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'v heard that the US baseball team won't come to the Olympics because it... didn't qualify??? How can this be? I thought only Americans played baseball???!

Like said before, the team was most made up of minor league players (ie, youth teams for those familiar with soccer). As Dan has said, most American baseball players don't really care for Olympic baseball. One reason is that the Olympics will be held during the baseball season, and they'd rather win a World Series than a Gold Medal.

And Americans aren't the only people that play baseball. Dominican Republican, Cuba, Panama, Taiwan, Japan, etc. all have good baseball players in the major leagues. Some of them have some pretty good leagues as well (such as Japan).

[DanS]

Taiwan has a major leaguer?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Ooops, I meant to say South Korea... but I wouldn't be suprised if Taiwan had a major leaguer .

[DanS]

Korea has a good major leaguer? I know that some were trying to break into the Bigs, but didn't they meet with decidedly mixed success?

Edit: OK, Chan Ho Park had a string of very good seasons. I'll retract the "mixed success" for Korea.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Chan Ho Park... well he isn't that 'good', I admit .

Jae Weong Seo had a very solid rookie year with the Mets.

And while Hee Seop Choi didn't have that great of a year last year, he is considered a HUGE prospect.

The best Korean player is Byung-Hyun Kim, who IS a good player, even though he is best remembered for choaking in the playoffs.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Oh, and Taiwan has a few good prosepts:

Chen, Chin-Feng, Los Angeles Dodgers (Tainan City )

Tsao, Chin-hui, Colorado Rockies (Hua-Lien )

Both are supposed to be good (especially Tsao).

[asleepathewheel]

The Korean mlb'rs are a mixed bag at this point:

Byung-Hyun Kim
Chan Ho Park
Hee Seop Choi

The first two have had their moments, a few years ago, and the third is an up-and-comer (har har)


edit: a little late on that post

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'd say Kim is one of the best relievers in the league. He can be a damned good starter too.

[Q Classic]

you should see it. then PARK chan-ho first came over, they would play the games live in korea when he was on.

at like, 6 am.

now they don't do that anymore.