[BSgutshot]

It's that time of year again. With the cold and damp weather in February brings the sweetness of baseball in March. I for one am excited about this upcoming season and for the World Baseball Classic as well. Spring training games start in a few short days and the WBC starts 3 days after that.

I hope the Phillies can make the playoffs this year and maybe ever break Philladelphia's 23 year title draught(that's the whole city, not just the team).

Anyway, anyone else excited?

[Yearbookpoker]

It's that time of year again. With the cold and damp weather in February brings the sweetness of baseball in March. I for one am excited about this upcoming season and for the World Baseball Classic as well. Spring training games start in a few short days and the WBC starts 3 days after that.

BASEBALL!!! How can anyone not love the game. Seriously I can't wait. Every year I get more and more excited for it. Maybe this year is more because my ASTROS came off a great year and with Clemens coming back (Inside Information on this) we can not only go back to the series, but win it all this time. Anyways, I will be watching the WBC starting thursday on ESPN and ESPN2 as well as ESPN deportes for my spanish friends. For times in your area check your local listings.

[UofTNick]

Being a Blue Jays fan, I too have something to look forward to this season. Hopefully all the newcomers will contribute the way the can, and won't fizzle out now that they have big money, long term deals. It would be AWESOME to finally prevent the Yanks/Red Sox finishing 1-2 in the AL East.

As for the WBC - I have mixed feelings. I think it is a great idea, but I hate the timing of it. With it starting right when spring training is getting going, a lot of great players are pulling out of the tourney. It's a shame that some of the game's best players won't be there. That's not to say that I won't be follwing it though. Go Canada!!!! (It's too bad some of the best Canadians aren't playing - i.e. Gagne, and Harden. That hurts - the team will hopefully still give some of the super powers a run for their money though. I just want them to be competitive.)

[BSgutshot]

Originally Posted by UofTNick

Being a Blue Jays fan, I too have something to look forward to this season. Hopefully all the newcomers will contribute the way the can, and won't fizzle out now that they have big money, long term deals. It would be AWESOME to finally prevent the Yanks/Red Sox finishing 1-2 in the AL East.

As for the WBC - I have mixed feelings. I think it is a great idea, but I hate the timing of it. With it starting right when spring training is getting going, a lot of great players are pulling out of the tourney. It's a shame that some of the game's best players won't be there. That's not to say that I won't be follwing it though. Go Canada!!!! (It's too bad some of the best Canadians aren't playing - i.e. Gagne, and Harden. That hurts - the team will hopefully still give some of the super powers a run for their money though. I just want them to be competitive.)

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I was 6 when Joe Carter hit the homerun to win the series, so I'm not a very big fan of the Blue Jays since that was probably my 1st baseball memory. Then again, I hate the Red Sox and Yankees, and I can't root for the Orioles since they took down the Phillies in '83, so I guess I'll have to pull for the Devil RAys in the AL East. lol.

As for the WBC, it should be interesting to say the least.

Here's a website that has the listings for the WBC: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldc...ory?id=2294525

Odds for the WBC:


Australia 400-1


Canada 30-1


China 400-1


Chinese Taipei 20-1


Cuba 10-1


Dominican Republic 7-4


Italy 200-1


Japan 12-1


Korea 40-1


Mexico 35-1


Netherlands 150-1


Panama 65-1


Puerto Rico 10-1


South Africa 500-1


USA 8-5


Venezuela 13-2

[track1697]

Joe carter is a bastard, but mitch williams isn't much better himself. Your dreaming about the Sillies winning a title. If they can manage to make the playoffs this year that will be a start.

[BSgutshot]

Originally Posted by track1697

Joe carter is a bastard, but mitch williams isn't much better himself. Your dreaming about the Sillies winning a title. If they can manage to make the playoffs this year that will be a start.

I am dreaming, plus I'm pumped up becasue I just saw Major League last night. Bob Ueker is my idol.

The Phillies have a solid team. Pitching is improved, hitting is about the same. Should be an interesting season.

[track1697]

oh I agree the Phils have a good team, but they aren't winning it all. They will have enough trouble beating the Braves for division. How many have they won in a row? Like 37?

[BSgutshot]

Originally Posted by track1697

oh I agree the Phils have a good team, but they aren't winning it all. They will have enough trouble beating the Braves for division. How many have they won in a row? Like 37?

Yeah, but the Braves always disappear in the playoffs. I see the phillies as a wildcard contender, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs, although I'm glad their old GM Ed Wade was gone. The genius who signed Lieberthal to a longterm contract worth way too much. Lets not forget the acquistion of all-stars such as David Bell and Travis Lee.

[doflovespoker]

Is anyone watching the World Baseball Classic. I just can't believe some of the countries that are participating in this thing. What kind of tournament can this really be when they have a mercy rule. It feels like we are watching high school softball.

Anyway, I think this thing will really start to pick up when we can watch some teams with some talent. I suppose I am more interested in this than I am in Spring Ball.

Go Mariners!

[UofTNick]

I can not BELIEVE that Team Canada did two things -

1) Manage to beat a powerhouse US team - that was awesome

and 2) Manage TO NOT ADVANCE despite beating the US. That is possibly the saddest thing I have ever heard. 9-1 to Mexico?????? Did we get a little to cocky or something?

I couldn't believe it - but I guess we can always say that we beat the US