This year was the first annual World Baseball Classic, a tournament that I hope continues every year till I die.
What made this year especially interesting were the upsets that were pulled. Mexico and Canada both beat the United States in it's own game! But my personal favorite was the tense showdown between Korea and Japan. It wasn't because of my affinity for all these Japanese, no, it was because of Korea and Japan's love for the game of baseball. The two nations are religiously devoted to baseball, and I knew a game between the two would make fireworks scream accross the sky, blowing up into a brilliant spectacle for all to see! Bear in mind Korea was the underdog!
The Games:
Game 1: Korea 3, Japan 2
Game 2: Korea 2, Japan 1
Game 3: Korea 0, Japan 6
Korea played a remarkable 3 games against Japan, but they couldn't clinch a game when it really counted. I took a 250 mile journey to San Diego to see the Semifinal game and was SHOCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEDDDDDDDDDDDDDD to see the kind of support I saw for Korea! They were unified, enthusiastic, and they made the whole stadium tremor. They chanted "Dae Han Min Gook" which, depending on who you ask, means "Go Almighty Korea" or "Republic of Korea". Because Japanese fans were outnumbered 4 -1 I felt it was my duty to root for Japan. So with a loud and brave voice (And considering that I was easily outnumbered 10 - 1 in my section) I chanted "Nipon, Nipon, Nipon" which means "Japan". In the 7th inning, when the game almost got rained out (Oh yeah, rain didn't stop me suckas, I stayed, got drenched, and showed my support for Japan) all the Japanese fans rallied under flags and marched around the stadium chantingn "Nipon, Nipon, Nipon" which made the koreans bang their noise makers even louder, and even though they were down by 6 at this point, they never lost faith, and I must say I've never seen that much loyalty displayed by sportsfans ever!
Best Moment: First homerun in the fifth
Most Enthusiastic Fans: The Korean group of fans that brought trumpets and conducted songs
Favorite Bit of Madness: After the Korean defeat, they still act as though they had won and chant "Dae Han Min Gook" throughought the Gas Lamp District of San Diego, banging pots, pats, tambourines, blasting korean victory music from cars, and children on loudspeakers praising the Korean Team!
Favorite Player: Bum Hoe Lee as in Bumhole lee (Tee hee)
All in all, it was the best game I had ever been to ever!
For those interested the final game between Japan and Cuba will be played Monday at 6:00 P.M. PST.
World Baseball Classic Website
Good Baseball Blog
