Chick Gandil was, in many ways, the mastermind of the players’ side of the Black Sox scandal. Earlier in his career, however, he played in Washington. Check out that old glove!
This photo is from the Library of Congress Flickr stream, and there are no known copyright restrictions.
While Puerto Rican baseball has, as I’ve said before, seen better days, the roster that Puerto Rico has in this WBC will have plenty of MLB experience, and will have at least two genuine stars: Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina. So as they host the first round Pool C, they won’t be lacking for talent.
The question, though, is whether that talent will be enough to help them escape the “group of death” that also features the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. While on paper they seem to be the third-best team, this is baseball, and it certainly is possible that Puerto Rico will be able to escape the first round… and perhaps beyond.
Go below the jump for the rest of the analysis.
And now, because nobody asked for it, an image of a young Casey Stengel wearing sunglasses, circa 1915.
This photo, from the Library of Congress Flickr, has no known copyright restrictions.
The Dominican Republic, like the USA and Venezuela, has yet to live up to it’s baseball pedigree when it comes to the WBC. They went down in the semifinals in 2006, and were embarrassed by the Netherlands twice in 2009. Can they do better this time around?
Well, that remains to be seen. For one thing, the roster for Team DR that was released is only 23-men strong, probably due to the fact some players (most notably Albert Pujols) are still of an uncertain status due to various issues, such as insurance clearance. For another, they will be in a group of death, as Pool C also has Venezuela, Puerto Rico and (to a much, much lesser degree) Spain.
So, how’s it look? Go after the jump to find out:
In the days leading up to the Presidential Inauguration (which is today), the Baseball Continuum will be posting pictures celebrating the relation between the presidency and baseball. These are not meant to be an endorsement of either side of the political aisle nor the policies of any of the men featured within, merely a celebration of the close connection between America’s leader and America’s game.
President Obama threw out the first pitch of the 2009 All-Star Game, but on the way Air Force One had another distinguished passenger: Willie Mays.
This image is from the White House Flickr stream and is a work of the US Government, making it free to use with this caveat:
This official White House photograph is being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Coming in the next seven days on the Continuum:
And don’t forget to check out Joe Connor’s WBC Guide!
My post over at the Old Time Family Baseball blogathon is now up and can be found over there. So check it out.
The Patriots and 49ers will win today and meet in Super Bowl XLVII. No further analysis needed.
(Oh, crud, that’s two sentences. Sorry, everyone!)
In the days leading up to the Presidential Inauguration, the Baseball Continuum will be posting pictures celebrating the relation between the presidency and baseball. These are not meant to be an endorsement of either side of the political aisle nor the policies of any of the men featured within, merely a celebration of the close connection between America’s leader and America’s game.
Before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series, the first game of the World Series in a New York still clearing wreckage from Ground Zero, George W. Bush took the mound to throw out the first pitch.
This image is from the U.S. National Archives’ Flickr feed and has no known copyright restrictions.
Outside of Busch Stadium, there is a simple statue of a left-handed Cardinal at the bat. There are only two things inscribed upon it: The man’s name on one side, and on one of the other sides, a quote:
“Here stands baseball’s perfect warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”
The Baseball Continuum 