USA takes it on the chin

 
        I thought baseball was supposed to be "America's favorite pastime"? I thought
baseball was our game.  After all we invented the sport.  But after team USA's 7-3 
defeat at the hands of Korea you have to wonder. USA came into the WBC, along with 
the Dominican Republic, as the odds on favorites to win it all.  After barely making 
it into the 2nd round of the round robin tournament you have to start to wonder if 
they'll even make it to the semifinals.  After losses to Canada, Korea and what should 
have been a loss to Japan you have to start questioning the heart of this team.  Not 
coming through in the clutch, a collection of superstars that don't play well together
and an attitude that all they have to do is show up and they are going to win.  
 
        Does this sound familiar?  Do these traits resemble that of another collection
of pampered superstars representing our country.  It's hard to root for these guys.  
I was watching the Dominicans play the Cubans the other day and I can honestly say 
that I thoroughly enjoyed the game. Both teams play with a ton of emotion on separate 
sides of the spectrum.  The Dominicans play the game with such joy.  They are 
constantly laughing, smiling, having a good time all while they absolutely devastate
opposing pitchers.  The Cubans play the game with intensity. Ariel Pestano, the 
catcher for the Cubans, is one of the most intense players you will ever see.  
After David Ortiz blasted a home run that hasn't landed yet he raised his arms and 
pointed over at his teammates who were going bonkers. Pestano, who took exception to 
Ortiz's celebration, barked at Ortiz as he circled the bases and was ready to fight 
him when he got to home plate. Ortiz just smiled and walked back to the dugout so 
Pestano turned his attention to his starting pitcher who he cursed out for throwing 
such a terrible pitch.  That my friends is emotion.  That is what the game is all 
about.  Team USA plays with all the emotion of a croquet match. Growing up we remember
team USA and their emotional run for hockey gold in 1980.  We remember Bird, Magic,
and Jordan winning games by 40 points as the Dream team crushed team after team.  
Now we get Stephon Marbury missing open jumpers in a loss to Puerto Rico, we get 
Mark Texeira grounding into an inning ending double play against Canada and Brian 
Gionta missing wide open nets against Finland.  The whole world thinks we're spoiled,
pampered assholes who take everything we have for granted. After watching these teams
play who can blame them?