[legend]

What a good game! Controversy, excitement, and of all things a clutch hit by A-Rod. He didn't exactly scald the ball, but neither did Luis Gonzalez in 2001. Our pitchers do NOT have their best stuff by any means. Derreck Lee is a great player, I do not get to see him much. The call on the tag up needs to be watched in super slo-mo to see if he left early- I have no idea how an ump could determine that with the naked eye. I am glad the tournament seems to be generating some excitement. By the way Cubs fans, how did you feel when Lee made that diving catch and appeared to hurt his wrist?

[Lefty Noob]

Love the result, hate the controversy. The announcers seemed so convinced that it was a bad call. I'm not so sure. It seemed awful close. Man, I was so pumped when A-Rod snuck that grounder through the infield. Can you believe they gave Nishioka an error on that play? Fun game to watch, though!

[MVB]

So much for A-Rod being overrated, huh? Not only is he an incredible batter, but at times, he can have some clutch hits... The game was incredible... very tense and exciting!

[Lefty Noob]

You said it, MVB. Awesome game, awesome win for Team USA!

But the question will be asked at watercooler across the country tomorrow:
Did the runner leave the bag early, or not? Should the run have counted, or was he out?

[legend]

Let's not make too much of an off the end of the bat squibbler by A-Rod. He also swung and missed at three staright pitches with the go ahead run at third two innings earlier. I want him to succeed more than anyone, but I am very unbiased when it comes to his play.

[Lefty Noob]

Not to mention that it wasn't ruled a hit, but an error. Still got the job done, though.

[Calder]

That should have been recorded as a hit, it was going to be a very difficult play to throw the runner out even if he would have fielded the ball cleanly. I had a hard time taking much joy from that win. It was a terrible call on the runner leaving early, and I genuinely felt bad for Japan and thought they got robbed. The whole time I am thinking, "They must really think us Americans are ganging up on them or something...." or something to that affect. I Tivoed the game and I replayed it over 10 times, and the runner did NOT leave early. I will be surprised if Japan doesn't sit the WBC the next time around in protest.

[Lefty Noob]

Aren't they schedule to host in 2009? Think that's in danger now?

[EmpireWF]

Beijing, China is hosting the 2008 winter olympics I believe.

About time A-Rod came through in the clutch (guess it gives Yankee fans a glimmer of hope this season).

[Lefty Noob]

I meant the WBC. I thought they said during the game last night that Japan was hosting it in '09.

[ThePundit]

The angles I saw on TV today of the tag up play clearly showed that the original umpire had it right. The runner DIDN'T leave early. The US got a big break.

MVB: I posted a comment about A-Rod in the other forum. I'll repeat it hear: It's a step in the right direction but as legend says, let's not get that excited. When he comes through in Pinstripes with the interlocking NY in October, then I'll be convinced.

[legend]

Even if you can argue that Japan got a bad call, which they probably did, you must remember that the US still would have tied the score with the fourth run and maybe even scored a fifth run on the ball that Rodriguez hit. Umpire's calls are a part of baseball, which is why it is a great game. The US is on the wrong end of so many calls in international competitions that it is good to see us on the right end for once.