Very impressive by Canada, beating both PR and Cuba. They certainly earned their top spot in the group. But their success is being overshadowed by Italy, which (on Tuesday) beat the U.S., 8-6, and then came back the next day (yesterday) to crush Mexico, 9-1!
I saw a clip from an interview with the US manager, who apparently didn't realize they needed to win against Italy to be assured of going through to the quarter finals. There was some explanation about the rules being complicated that I found ... unconvincing.
My partner and I have each picked a non-US team to cheer for. He chose Japan, and I'm pulling for the Dominican Republic.
A major shake-up at the World Baseball Classic. On the one side, things developed as you might expect: Dominican Republic crushed Korea; while USA held on to beat Canada in a close game. USA and DR will play against each other in the semifinal.
But on the other side of the bracket! Venezuela beat Japan, 8-5! Defending champion Japan is out of the tournament. And who will Venezuela face in the semifinal? Oh, that would be Italy, who beat Puerto Rico, 8-6. Italy has now beaten USA, Mexico and Puerto Rico!
I just want to add that Venezuela certainly earned the title. Let's not forget that they also beat the defending champ, Japan, back in the quarterfinals.
I'm looking forward to the season starting. We have two teams here for Spring Training. Traffic before and after the games is brutal! If both teams play, we just might as well stay home, rather than get into that traffic.
I'm looking forward to the season starting. We have two teams here for Spring Training. Traffic before and after the games is brutal! If both teams play, we just might as well stay home, rather than get into that traffic.
Let the best team win!
As hot as it will be the next few days down there, stay home. No need to get heat exhaustion.
Today's the day! Play ball! The first official game of the 2026 season will be tonight: NY Yankees v. SF Giants.
Sadly, that is the only game today. I mean, I get it. It is being shown on a streaming service (Netflix, I believe) and I am sure their business honchos want "all eyes" on that game. Except neither is a team I follow or care about. So, no, I won't be watching. For me, Opening Day is tomorrow, when we have eleven games scheduled, and four teams that I have an interest in (two of them are playing each other).
But in researching that, I came across this delightful story. Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto has gifted a street clock to stand at the entrance of their ballpark. I love clocks, and this is a beauty. Built by the Verdin Company. I do love the charm of a street or post clock. They have fallen out of fashion (because they are no longer a necessity as they were in their heyday). But they are still beautiful and add charm to a public location. Well done, Mr. Votto!
Should be a good day for the Mariners vs Guardians tomorrow with a 7% chance of liquid sunshine.
"
Mrs Gramps was wondering why Cleveland was renamed the Guardians. This is what I found. The name draws inspiration from the iconic “Guardians of Traffic”—the massive art‑deco statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge next to Progressive Field. These sculptures symbolize progress, protection, and resilience, themes the team wanted to embody.
If you know of a team that has been renamed which team, and the background behind the new name.
Team names are notoriously murky. In the Early Days, teams were often just called whatever the local sportswriters chose to call them--and could be called by multiple names at the same time.
My Phillies were the Philadelphia team in the National League (the "Philadelphias"), but the sportswriters soon took to just calling them "Phillies." In the 1940s, to shake off a loser image, management tried to institute a secondary nickname of...the Blue Jays! It never caught on and fans persisted in calling them Phillies to this day, leaving the door open for Toronto to swoop in and claim the Blue Jays moniker!
One of the more fun histories is the NL team from Pittsburgh. They grew out of an independent baseball team in what was then Allegheny City, just outside of Pittsburgh (and then swallowed up by it in 1907!). When the team turned professional with the "American Association" (an earlier league prior to the American League) in 1882, they came in as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. They then switched to the National League in 1887. In 1891, they were accused of stealing a player from the Philadelphia Athletics, which the Athletics' manager dubbed a "piratical" act. Accordingly, the newspapers started calling the Pittsburgh team "the Pirates" and the name stuck, with "Pirates" finally appearing on the team's jerseys in 1912.
And then, of course, there are the Dodgers. When they started in Brooklyn, they did not have an "official" nickname until 1932. Prior to then, they were referred to as the "Trolley Dodgers," "Dodgers," "Bridegrooms," "Robins" and "Superbas"...often interchangeably. I have seen articles were the sportswriter used multiple names to refer to the team throughout the story! In 1932, the "Dodgers" name was finally adopted as the "official" nickname. Which is why they are not the Los Angeles Bridegrooms.
And, now, the major leagues will be using a robotic system to determine if a pitch has correctly been called strike or ball. Each team will have two challenges per game. A batter, catcher or pitcher can challenge a call by touching the top of his head. A similar system has been used for cricket and tennis, even in the minor leagues. I hope it helps keep the game fair, but I wonder if it will delay the game more.
Comments
If Italy beats Mexico today, looks like Italy and the USA also go through.
[Edit: Typo amended. - Wesley J, Circus Host]
My partner and I have each picked a non-US team to cheer for. He chose Japan, and I'm pulling for the Dominican Republic.
But on the other side of the bracket! Venezuela beat Japan, 8-5! Defending champion Japan is out of the tournament. And who will Venezuela face in the semifinal? Oh, that would be Italy, who beat Puerto Rico, 8-6. Italy has now beaten USA, Mexico and Puerto Rico!
And Spring Training is in its last few days. The season officially starts next Wednesday. We are almost there!
Let the best team win!
As hot as it will be the next few days down there, stay home. No need to get heat exhaustion.
Sadly, that is the only game today. I mean, I get it. It is being shown on a streaming service (Netflix, I believe) and I am sure their business honchos want "all eyes" on that game. Except neither is a team I follow or care about. So, no, I won't be watching. For me, Opening Day is tomorrow, when we have eleven games scheduled, and four teams that I have an interest in (two of them are playing each other).
But in researching that, I came across this delightful story. Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto has gifted a street clock to stand at the entrance of their ballpark. I love clocks, and this is a beauty. Built by the Verdin Company. I do love the charm of a street or post clock. They have fallen out of fashion (because they are no longer a necessity as they were in their heyday). But they are still beautiful and add charm to a public location. Well done, Mr. Votto!
Mrs Gramps was wondering why Cleveland was renamed the Guardians. This is what I found. The name draws inspiration from the iconic “Guardians of Traffic”—the massive art‑deco statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge next to Progressive Field. These sculptures symbolize progress, protection, and resilience, themes the team wanted to embody.
If you know of a team that has been renamed which team, and the background behind the new name.
My Phillies were the Philadelphia team in the National League (the "Philadelphias"), but the sportswriters soon took to just calling them "Phillies." In the 1940s, to shake off a loser image, management tried to institute a secondary nickname of...the Blue Jays! It never caught on and fans persisted in calling them Phillies to this day, leaving the door open for Toronto to swoop in and claim the Blue Jays moniker!
One of the more fun histories is the NL team from Pittsburgh. They grew out of an independent baseball team in what was then Allegheny City, just outside of Pittsburgh (and then swallowed up by it in 1907!). When the team turned professional with the "American Association" (an earlier league prior to the American League) in 1882, they came in as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. They then switched to the National League in 1887. In 1891, they were accused of stealing a player from the Philadelphia Athletics, which the Athletics' manager dubbed a "piratical" act. Accordingly, the newspapers started calling the Pittsburgh team "the Pirates" and the name stuck, with "Pirates" finally appearing on the team's jerseys in 1912.
And then, of course, there are the Dodgers. When they started in Brooklyn, they did not have an "official" nickname until 1932. Prior to then, they were referred to as the "Trolley Dodgers," "Dodgers," "Bridegrooms," "Robins" and "Superbas"...often interchangeably. I have seen articles were the sportswriter used multiple names to refer to the team throughout the story! In 1932, the "Dodgers" name was finally adopted as the "official" nickname. Which is why they are not the Los Angeles Bridegrooms.