So on Friday I was writing an entry that I was having fun with and then I got distracted.  Well Captain Dumbass here forgot to save the entry and the security on my blog software timed me out and poof, it was all gone.  Some of the content is salvageable, but some things have changed.  However, your faithful leader of the Baseball Furies will do his best to ensure you get your money's worth.

I wake up at 6 am every day.  I don't choose to do it.  I blame the alarm for waking me up.  Usually it takes me a few minutes to rise and then I typically watch the local news before actually leaving my bed.  For some inexplicable reason I remembered when I woke up that the World Baseball Classic was kicking off in Asia.  It's obvious that I've been missing the game, but there is something exciting about watching live sporting events at odd hours.  Within two batters I got to see Ichiro step up to represent his native Japan as they took on China.  (Note to China.  Judging by how fundamentally unsound your players were I think you might want to invest a tad bit more into the game.)  I love how Ichiro plays the game.  He's a thorn in your side at the plate.  He keeps you on your toes when he's on base and his arm strength is straight out of a sci-fi movie.  As reserved as he is, Ichiro really seems like he loves playing baseball. 

I had the pleasure of seeing, in person, Ichiro break the all-time hit record at Safeco Field.  I was fortunately out there for a long weekend and we decided to grab tickets the morning of the game.  Yes folks, there are towns that exist that have tickets available the day of a game.  I know.  I know.  I can't believe it either.  The best part of that game was not seeing Ichiro tie and then break the record, but rather sitting next to two Japanese women who flew in that day JUST to be there for Ichiro.  For starters, it amazes me that you can fly in from Japan knowing that your chances of getting tickets to a Mariners game are good.  The part that inspires and reminds me why I love this game is that they wanted to see somebody who is a national icon and transcends the game for them.  It's something that we, as Americans, take for granted.  Sure, Ichiro is one of a kind and there are not many Japanese players in the game, but my memory of those two women has me excited for the game in general.  It's why I love sports when they are played on a global level, because you can get washed up in the excitement of the fans.  It humbles me into the realization that my passion has got nothing on them.

As disorganized and under-marketed as this tournament has been it's not being helped by King George.  It appears that The Yankees had signs up at Legends Field apologizing for the missing stars for their spring training games.  In the spirit of the politicos in D.C. George is denying he had anything to do with it.  Well actually he had his spokesperson deny.  Funny how leaders named George do that.  I agree that the tournament is bad timing.  Take a cue from the FIFA World Cup folks and host the tournament at the end of the season when the players are presumably in game shape.   The Yankees were a team who once signed a marketing partnership with Manchester United to promote ManU in the states while ManU promoted the Yankees throughout Europe.  If you're smart enough to promote the Yankees abroad then why would you try to undermine a global tournament that sheds a positive light on a game that is still reeling from a disastrous steroids scandal?  A scandal that two of your most famous players were intimately involved in.  The Dominican Republic kicks off a heavyweight battle versus Venezuela tomorrow at 1 pm ET followed by USA versus Mexico at 4 pm ET.  If you love this game then you should be fired up for this.

 

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