Team Canada’s ride at the inaugural World Baseball Classic was an emotional roller coaster. First they fought off a pesky South African squad in one of the wildest games of the tournament. Then they shocked the world by beating a star-studded American team a day later, only to fall to an inspired group of Mexicans in their final game.
Although the Canadians ended the tournament on a low point and failed to advance to the second round, there are reasons a plenty for Baseball Canada for which to be proud. Here are the top-five reasons why fans should not be disappointed with Canada’s finish at the World Baseball Classic.
5. Against what was hyped to be one of the best pitching staffs in the tournament, Boston Red Sox outfielder Adam Stern (Port Stanley, Ont.) lit it up offensively in an 8-6 win over the United States. Stern was a double away from hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBI. In addition, Stern was a rock in centre field making diving plays and leaping grabs against the wall to preserve Canada’s lead.
After the first round of the World Baseball Classic, Stern was second in batting average and led the entire field in number of hits. With the departure of Johnny Damon to the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox outfield is considerably weaker than that of 2005. Canadians shouldn’t be surprised if they see more of Adam Stern this season.
4. Canada’s young guns were its best performers, especially on the mound. The four youngest Canadian pitchers, Jesse Crain (24), Vince Perkins (24), Scott Mathieson (22) and Adam Loewen (21) did not allow a single run and only gave up one hit over a combined 7.2 innings of work. In addition, Erik Bedard (27), Eric Cyr (27) and Steve Green (28) combined for 4 hits, 2 walks, 1 run and 8 strikeouts over 7.1 innings pitched. The future of Canadian baseball is in good hands.
3. As Baseball Canada shifts its focus to the Americas Olympic Qualifier which will be held in Havana, Cuba August 23 to September 2, it can take solace in the fact that more than half the players from its World Baseball Classic (18) team will likely be eligible to return to the national senior team. Any player not on a Major League Baseball 25-man roster is eligible for the tournament; meaning players like Loewen, Mathieson, Perkins, Green, Ryan Radmanovich, Scott Thorman and Stubby Clapp could help Canada on its quest for a second-straight Olympic berth. Depending on his status with the Boston Red Sox, Stern might also be available. Having recently retired from Major League Baseball, veteran pitcher Paul Quantrill would also be eligible.
2. Although Canada would have traded in their victory against the U.S.A for a berth in the second round of the World Baseball Classic, the upset of the American powerhouse has opened some eyes both north and south of the 49th parallel. Although Canada has come up with major victories in the past (1991 World Junior Championship gold medal, bronze medal at the 1993 World University Games, wins over both Cuba and the United States at the 1999 Pan-Am Games and a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics), this year’s U.S.eh! game will likely go down as the most memorable.
For baseball fans in the U.S. and around the world, the U.S.eh! game is the game that has put Canadian baseball on the map. Within baseball circles, Canada’s baseball teams have been earning more respect and although Canada has been producing more and more quality Major League players, fans who generally tune-out during international competitions have been oblivious the strides Baseball Canada has made over the last 15 years. Now that Canada has pulled off another major victory on the biggest stage against the best players baseball’s birthplace could provide, sports fans around the world are finally realizing that Canada is not just about hockey, curling, and ketchup sandwiches.
1. After the first round, Canada was no better or no worse than the two teams who advanced ahead of them.
Canada was the only team in the entire World Baseball Classic field to be eliminated with two wins in its three first round games. After being tied with the United States and Mexico with two wins and a loss, Canada simply ended up getting the short-end of the stick on a tie-breaker rule in a sport that prides itself in determining a clear winner every time out. With two wins in the most competitive first-round pool at the World Baseball Classic, Canada’s team has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
