UPDATE 4: It’s official. The U.S. sucks. Donkey dick. On a bright note, we’ll get to see a third battle between Korea and Japan. Which should be much more watchable that the lifeless stiffs otherwise known as Team USA.
UPDATE 3: Japanese netizens are apparently pissed about the whole “planting the Korean flag on the mound” bit. According to Kuki News, the Japanese feel the action was a provocation directed at the United States and a display of excessive patriotism. As soon as the flag was planted, the Japanese online community “2CH” apparently lit up with critical comments. Things like:
- “It’s a very Choson (i.e. Korean)-like thing to do.”
- “Planting the flag on the mound is a very provocative act.”
- “I’ve known since the Korea-Japan World Cup that the national character of Korea was lower. So I’m not surprised.”
There were more examples cited.
Korean netizens thought differently, of course. Over at Naver.com:
- “Seo Jae-woong replanted the flag because it was going to fall and kissed the flag poll. That was so nice. Long live Korea!”
- “It was cooler to plant the Korean flag on U.S. soil that it was for the U.S. to plant the U.S. flag on the moon.”
Seo, for his part, said planting the flag-planting was “a kind of performance that planted pride in Korean baseball, which had been relegated to the periphery.”
And I’m sure you all saw this:
For what it’s worth, I have no idea if the Japanese Internet community really is upset about the flag thing, or whether Kuki News is just trying to roil people up. The piece is currently Naver.com’s most looked at. No. 2 is Money Today’s piece on Ichiro Suzuki’s online hazing.
BTW, OhMyNews‘ Lee Han-gi was uncomfortable with the flag ceremony (and the whole “conquering” motif running through the media), which he felt was both unbecoming for the winning side and provocative. He asked, “How would we have felt if we’d lost, and the Japanese had planted their flag on the mound?”
ORIGINAL POST: It’s the bottom of the 8th, and former Junichi Dragon Lee Jong-beom just put Korea ahead 2-0.
It’s OVER: Korea wins 2-1
UPDATE: Now we’re treated to this, courtesy MyDaily:
In the Sydney Games of 2000, the Korean team failed to make it into the finals from the round of four because of a bad call, and in the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, short-track skater Kim Dong-seong was deprived of his gold metal because of the “Ohno Incident.” And two years ago, during the 2004 Athens Games, gymnast Paul Hamm took away Yang Tae-yeong’s sure “gold.” At each turning point, the party that tripped up Korea for doubtful reasons was none other than the United States.
Despite this, Korea has played the role of rescuer each time the United States has faced crisis. A typical instance was the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
Feel free to read the rest on your own.
UPDATE 2: Anaheim is apparently Korean territory.
95 Comments
FINAL: Korea 2 Japan 1
Koreans did it again! Maybe there IS something special in Korean gene.
And another bad form from Ichiro. Barking at the fans and waving his hands in the stand when a fly ball went into the stand and he failed to catch it. There was no fan inteference. At the end of the game Ichiro blows up in front of the camera.
I hope the US win and eliminate these whiners just so that I can see Ichiro blowing up again.
Excellent game. I even saw couple of sacrifice bunts layed down perfectly. How many times have you seen that from the MLB? Not a lot. Usually the guys tries and tries to lay down the bunt and end up striking out or popping up.
Team USA says kamsahamnida for the reprieve.
So if the US fails to beat mexico are they still at the bottom of the tie-breaker for giving up 7 to Korea?
I think you can attribute Korea’s success to 정. Don’t laugh. More on this later.
US should beat Mexico. It’s like the cat having nine lives. It’s another chance for the US, and I doubt they’ll blow that chance with Roger Clemens going. He always comes thru in big games.
I hope to see Korea - US semi final. That would be a dandy game. But I doubt Korea can beat the US again. But then again.. they beat Japan twice..
what the hell is wrong with ichiro??? Fans are part of the game they are allowed to catch the foul ball…. remember that guy who caught the foul ball and because of him chicago cubs was eliminated….
He is a player from SEATTLE MArines so he should know better what an assh#@$
It looked like Ichiro was using some of the English he learned in Seattle…it didn’t look like fan interference and I don’t think he could have gotten the ball anyway.
Yeah, I don’t know what happened to the guy to become so unglued…
Ichiro used to be one of the favorite Major League stars in Korea, but ever since his pre-game remarks, he’s been looked upon as a villain and I guess his predictions of Japanese baseball domination not coming true really bugs him.
Seattle Mariners my mistake…… Anyway does this mean Japan will bitch about their loss in U.S.???
Even their prime minister Koizumi bitched that he just can’t accept the call made by American Eumpire. This should be fun….
ipchiro man…damn…what a frikken looooser.
Btw…before the game started, they played the korean and japanese anthem, but then also played the star spangled banner also. Was this necessary? I thought it was quite inappropriate. Goodness, did they do this for every game played in the states? Pretty damn embarassing for Americans in my opinion.
Yeah, it’s pretty embarassing that they would play the American national anthem at an event held in the United States. The nerve.
I was under the assumption that most of the fans rooting for both teams today were American citizens JW. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
Yeah, I hate when they play Korea’s national anthem at Chamsil stadium before a game starts. Why do they do that?
Ah, but you see Thorin, that’s not the point. It’s just another example of arrogant Americans trying to control everything. Damn us Americans. We are such bastards.
Yeah and most of the fans at the last olympics in Utah and Georgia were americans too if I’m not mistaken. Correct me if I’m wrong but did they play the american anthem before or after every event back then? Gee I wonder why, they were having it on american soil no?
I can’t say you’re wrong because you didn’t make a statement. Unfortunately I don’t have to time to download every event from the aforementioned Olympics to confirm it, but my guess would be that they did indeed play the American national anthem before each event. So I don’t get your point.
YOu know what’s even worse, ESPN chose not to televise live a critical USA vs Korea game. A USA game at a critical stage in the tournament of a game that’s supposedly america’s favorite pasttime. I had to see it on tape delay at 1 fucking am in the morning. THat’s just downright fucking embarassing right there. This game too. I had to pay 10 fucking bucks at mlb.com to watch it and right now ESPN isn’t even showing a tape rerun that was scheduled at 1 am becuz of fucking tennis.
That’s because ESPN, like all Americans (and most of the world for that matter), have devised a sinister plan to keep Korea down. Didn’t you know that?
JW stop with whining we won man!!! who cares we won!!!
And we are certainly getting a lot of thanks from American media that is pretty good enough for me…..
Don’t you know it’s basketball and hockey season?
As opposed to axe-grinding; see link above.
JW obviously hasn’t been to sporting events, or is deaf. Playing the national anthem of the host country is the usual procedure.
Hey, the American media gives credit (in sports at least) where it’s due, especially to our blood ally
Hey, the American media gives credit (in sports at least) where it’s due, especially to our blood ally
As I emphasize again this is something that we Koreans should learn from the Americans.
But I think Some Americans are really pissed off because Most Americans are thanking inferior Koreans for helping them advancing wait there is still mexico game… Well Korea defeated USA so who knows what will happen right???
Playing the national anthem of the host country is the usual procedure.
Yup we played our anthem when American and Portugees played during World Cup 2002…… hold on a minute?? Did we??? do that??? Damn my memory going haywire once again1!!
Undoubtedly some miguks are pissed–like me!–but really, it’s a game, and probably like me we’re more disappointed at the way baseball has declined in America. I don’t mean “it’s gotten so bad even Korean players are better,” I mean the ridiculous salaries, wealthy managers demanding (and getting) massive tax breaks and deals on stadiums that taxpayers foot the bill for, etc.
Korea played a great game against the U.S., and arguably an even better one against Japan, they deserve their time in the limelight.
I can’t speak for most Americans but I can tell you of ONE American who, while not pissed off, can only smile and shake his head at
A) the Korean media’s selective memory regarding past sporting results
B) the Korean media’s uncanny skill of placing the blame on Americans whenever a sporting result (of which they have selective memories) does not go their way
C) the Korean media’s unhealthy desire to not simply celebrate current achievements, but to gloat over past events in which they came to the rescue of Americans despite the efforts of Americans to deprive Koreans of glory in past events (of which the Korean media have selective memories)
D) some Koreans (not you, Hannara) who, even in the midst of exhilaration over a great Korean victory, still make a point to bitch and moan about Americans
Concerning the 2002 World Cup, you shouldn’t insinuate that the Korean anthem wasn’t played if you’re not sure.
Finally, congratulations to Korea on a great victory and a fantastic tournament. And thanks for the help.
I wasn’t insinuating(i actually had to look up that word thanks for teaching me a new word) it was a sarcasm but I guess my literary device failed it … I’m sorry it’s my bad Engrish… to clarify things Yes Korea certainly didn’t play Korean anthem for other matches except for the ones that Korea actually was in it.
Yes Korean Media have huge problems now days but not all Korean media are hypocrites It’s the internet ones that have such a biased opinion and selective article regarding anything that satisfies their political ideology.
I refuse to even call them “media” they are government paid propaganda at best.
But mainstream media are decent like Chosun, Dong A and Joong Ang…
I thank you for congratulating our team’s victory i truly hope for the fair game between Korea and the U.S. in the semis since I really really don’t want to see idiotic Korean people bitching how the game was unfair blah blah blah… But if game is fair we wouldn’t bitch about it because seriously Korea beating U.S, in baseball??? i personally don’t think it will happen again..
Boy, you don’t call yourself Hannara for nothing!
If you thought My Daily was over the top, check out this Yonhap (gov’t funded news agency) piece:
“SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) — They fought for their homeland. Armed with bats and gloves instead of firearms, they defeated the United States and Japan. Of course they had a spirit of patriotism as high as any soldier, although the victory was made on the baseball field, not on the battlefield.”
OK, relax, take a deep breath and repeat after me: IT’S JUST A GAME.
Care to flip me the link to that, michael? Something that classic needs to be saved.
Here’s the first two paragraphs–I don’t subscribe to Yonhap:
http://english.yna.co.kr/Engne.....421E0.html
It’s about exemption from military service and the lead is a sort of an analogy I guess, but the rhetoric is almost KCNA-esque–at least they didn’t threaten to turn San Diego into a “sea of fire…”
The inability to win or lose without the excessive use of disparaging comments is interesting.
“It was a well-played game, both teams showed tremendous hearts. There were great defensive plays and key pitching.” - Buck Martinez on the Korea - Japan game
“I think we are as good as they are, but we lost. We just have to face that Korea is a good team.” - Tsuyoshi Nishioka
“We gave everything we had. All the games were hard-fought games. It was also showing that our lineup had trouble scoring runs against real tough pitching.” - Japanese manager Sadaharu Oh
Some nice things being said while making no excuses.
Koreans are so used to losing to other countries, that they don’t quite know how to handle a victory. They still complain even though they won.
North Korea is probably jealous and yet proud about South Korea winning against Japan and the US. North Koreans should respect South Koreans for all their achievements.
I got to laugh at this thread. Win or lose, the bickerings never stops in here. LOOOOL.
Some of the comments in this thread are funny. Especially about ESPN not televising the event and making it out to be some kind of conspiracy. Could it be because the vast majority of Americans don’t care if the American or Korean team wins or loses in the WBC? Obviously ESPN thought so to play tennis instead.
As far as the gloating Korean media bringing up the World Cup, I find interesting that the media doesn’t mention the help they got from the referees during the World Cup to allow Korea to advance.
Hannara, I wouldn’t be so sure that Korea won’t beat the US again. The US team has little teamwork and motivation, and Korea has proven they have consistent enough pitching, timely hitting, and motivation to beat the US again. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Korean team wins.
I don’t know how it is playing in the States, but if they can keep this up, the WBC might be a major event in a few years.
I find interesting that the media doesn’t mention the help they got from the referees during the World Cup to allow Korea to advance.
That’s precisely my point about the Korean media and its selective memory.
You guys make some interesting points. From my perspective, I was at the game, the majority of the fans were Koreans. We have a large Korean community in Southern California. What was funny/amazing is that I met some Koreans from outside of California. Some traveled from Washington to watch the game live. For me I would have to call that either crazy, dedication, serious national pride, or possibly a chance to boo the Japanese team.
Being at the game, I thought it was pretty cool that they played all three national anthems; the crowd was very respectful during the anthems. In fact concessions and stadium activities were at a halt when they played the anthems of all three countries. No ticket sales, the entrances were stopped, no sales of food, etc..
I would have to say that more than 80% of the fans there were rooting for the Korean team, well that was my perspective. Also everyone had those loud thunder sticks and every minute they were chanting “Korea” in Korean of course. (Korean business were giving the thundersticks away for free…well to the fans, the sticks had Korea printed on them and in smaller print the business of whoever paid for the sticks. For example ours were provided by Joong-Ahng newspaper I think)
Yup every time Suzuki came up to plate or the they showed some person with the Japanese flag the fans booed, but they booed the loudest when Suzuki came up to the plate.
As for the game, it was an exciting game. I have to admit, Japan had a stronger bat. The Japanese players hitting percentages were like in the 300 to 400…there was one guy who had a 500 average. The Koreans though, were mostly in the 170 to 280’s…there was one who I think that was like mid 300’s and one guy who was batting with a .444 average. Pitching and defense was the key. In one inning the Japanese had a man on 2nd and someone hit a double and the guy was coming to home plate, when the Korean catcher got him out. That was a key defensive play or else the Japanese would have scored and scored first. The pitching by the Korea team was awesome; IMHO I think that is the reason why the Korean team has gotten so far. Chan Ho Park, was on. I wonder if he can do that when he plays for the Padres though.
Anyhow it was an exciting game, which was a lot of fun. Interesting side note though, besides the abundance of Koreans and some Japanese, people who were fans of baseball attended, I was speaking with some people who were not of Asian decent who knew a lot about the Japanese and Korean players..well more than me.
Thanks for letting me put up my story.
Oh, too bad the Korean news hasn’t put up any of the other pictures which I saw…there were a bunch of young Korean-American guys with their shirts off with the Korean flag painted of them, and a bunch of other stuff…they had a large Korean flag and were running all over the stadium waving a large flag for most of the game. They went from the lower deck back and forth, all the way to the nose bleed seats…crazy….
‘they got help from the referees at the world cup!’
‘yeah, the korean press never mentions that.’
why should the koreans have to mention that? where’s the proof? it seems expats like you never seem to offer that. you just buzz on and on about how korea bribed referees. WHERE’S THE PROOF? you don’t have any. all you have is your ability to make an accusation that you cannot prove.
koreans need not mention what is not true. korea won. spain lost. italy lost. get over it. k?
Regardless of Ichiro’s behavior last night, he is still one of the best baseball players in the world. No doubt about that. He just had a bad day.
But I was very unhappy about MyDaily’s report “Koreans rescuing Yankees” crap. The report crossed the line. Compromising Americans might be a great way of assessing that we Koreans are better than Americans. Pathetic.
Team Korea won the game not to rescue team USA but to secure her position for the next round, which could grant the military exemption for the young Korean players. There was still a dim possibility of team Korea being eliminated if Japan won. The record shows that team Korea actually lost her chance when the team took advantage of her situation. It happened in a few international matches in the past. For example, in the soccer match in 1988 (?) Olympics, if team Korea were tied in her last preliminary game, Korea would go to the next round. The team played very safe and didn’t even try to win, but in the end Korea lost. Learning from these bitter experiences, team Korea tries to win in any circumstances. That’s the strategy of team Korea.
Kimcheeone, I saw the young Korean boys with no shirts but body paintings cheering for team Korea thru ESPN. It also showed that some Japanese girls (they were very pretty) were crying. Oh, God. Wish we were all happy!
pawigirogi’s rants perfectly illustrates why it is hard for some of us to route for Korea. Because we all know what’s going to come after Korea wins anything meaningful. Nobody likes to read about the ridiculous analogies and self congratulatory parade of self gloatings of the Korean media. Nobody likes to cheer for people who are full of themselves. I feel bad for the Korean team because they played their hearts out. It’s the fanatical nationalism that taints team Korea’s performance. Sticking a Korean flag on the mound was distasteful. No, knowing the Korean mindset, it was simply disgusting to me. But read this link by one American commentator.
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/.....;fext=.jsp
You simply wouldn’t have found that kind of comment from the Korean media if Americans had stuck an American flag on a mound in a Korean stadium.
Yeah, Koreans and Japanese have learned to play the game of baseball. But as for sportsmanship in losing and winning, they have a far far way to go. Which is too bad.
Pawikirogi also does a wonderful job of proving my point.
“Controversy in the World Cup? What controversy? You are all a bunch of whiners. Oh, by the way, that fucking Ohno, Hamm and American officials. If it weren’t for them…”
Blah blah blah.
For the record, I agree with Pawikirogi that Korea has no explaining to do for their World Cup success. Sure there were some controversial calls, but that is part of any game and the Koreans were not responsible for those calls. But it goes both ways. If we could all just remember that.
‘they got help from the referees at the world cup!’
‘yeah, the korean press never mentions that.’
Pawikirogi, I don’t think the implication was that the referees in the Italy and Spain games were bribed, just that they made some decisions that could certainly be interpreted as generous toward Korea. I saw the Italy game on TV and the Spain game at the stadium itself, and for what it’s worth, I thought the refereeing at the Italy game, while flawed, was adequate. Plus, the Italians are infamous for a) trying to sit on one-goal leads with soporific defensive play; and b) their attempts to con referees through incessant diving and the like. So it’s hard to feel too much symapthy if a couple of decisions go against them. The refereeing at the Spain game , on the other hand, was very poor. Were I Spanish, I would have felt seriously sggrieved.
By the way, is Pawikirogi Nulji’s alter ego?
“How would we have felt if we’d lost, and the Japanese had planted their flag on the mound?” Holy shit, a sensible Korean journalist! I’m not going to slag on OhMyNews anymore (well, for a while anyway).
Obviously Ichiro’s temperament has been damaged by exposure to the Western diet. I hope current and future (many future coming :~~ la la) Korean MLB players learn from this.
In the heat of the moment any human being, who’s team was not expected to go 6-0 (not even most koreans expected this), let alone leapfrog “30 years” in catching upto Japan by beating them twice, could be forgiven for such an act.
At the least, Ichiro deserved to have this rubbed in his face.
G1, you echo my sentiments precisely.
The Americans are so far looking mighty cold at the plate.
What if Mehico goes on to win and we go on to beat Japan yet again? That . would . be . crazy. I would have to demand seppuku from Ichiro and he would surely want to comply.
Here we go with dumbass bob davison…YET AGAIN. FUCKING CONSPIRACY.
G1–I don’t think the Korean team (and Seo Jae-woong in particular) was trying to be offensive, and I doubt most Americans found it offensive. I think the team was just excited (as they should have been) and probably didn’t consider what the Korean public’s reaction would have been had the American or Japanese team planted a flag on the mound at Jamsil Statdium. I’m sure (more like hoping) that someone gave the coach a call last night asking him, in the sake of “sport diplomacy,” not to plant flags in the next round.
True Robert. Like I said, in the heat of the moment, people do things without thinking of all consequences.
However, I doubt this act would have been committed had the stage been Tokyo Stadium. This was neutral ground, and the spectators were predominently pro-Korean. I would totally understand Japanese being offended if this had happened on their own soil.
Re: the current U.S.-Mexico game
I’ve never rooted against the U.S. before, but I was praying to God that Cantu would get a base hit there. No, it doesn’t change what happened, but Mexico got the run they deserved and the end result was the same.
Dumbass Davidson again….
Why is he still in there????
Doesn’t matter Mexico scored. Can you imagine the headlines in Japan and in Korea??
I can see the headlines “If this doesn’t prove Americans are biased then what will?”
The next WC, they’ve got to do something about the umpiring. The pro umpires wanted more money so they didn’t show up. The minor umpires are ruining the show. Why aren’t there PR, Cuban, DP, Japanese, Korean, Venezula, Mexican umpires?
Then entire tournament seems to be geared toward giving maximum advantage to the US team, including the pool that they’re in (it obviously backfired).
cm: I can’t tell if your comment means “it doesn’t matter that Mexico scored” or “it doesn’t matter, because Mexico scored.”
In terms of the refereeing, no it doesn’t matter. It’s a farce. But in terms of the game result, yes, it does matter, because the end result was the same as if the home run had been recognized. I’m not trying to defend the call–it was still wrong–but at the very least no one will be able to say that the game turned on that call. If anything, it gave Mexico more impetus to beat the U.S.
How in the hell do you miss that call. HOW? This is a frikken joke. It’s really sad, cuz davidson all by himself will take a huge chunk of prestige out of this otherwise superb tournament that’s almost guaranteed to increase in appeal.
Well, close enough.
Maybe Davidson is somehow distantly related to Byron Moreno?
In all seriousness though…should people have expected any differently?
The WBC was billed as bringing the best in the world together. That is clearly not the case. Due to monetary demands, an inferior crew of umps was brought in to save a buck or two and we are seeing the result.
Didn’t they get their chance when they did the “Ohno butt dance” during the U.S.-Korea soccer game during the World Cup?
Anyway, all you have to do is imagine the Korean reaction had the U.S. team done the analogous act.
“이치로 외에도 일본선수들은 라이벌 한국에게 연패한 충격이 만만치 않은 듯 모두 고개를 숙이고 침통해 했다고 한다. 특히 와다 쓰요시는 주위를 의식하지 않고 소리내 울어 선수단을 안타깝게 하기도 했다.”
WAAAAAAAAAAAA…COME TO PAPA BITCHES AND WE”LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER GOOD OL KICK IN THE ASS YOU WON”T EVER FORGET.
VIVA MEHICO!! VIVA MEHICO!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
It looks somebody has some unresolved issues that need to be addressed.
dogbertt, you are thinking on a different plane (to put it politely).
You are implying Seo Jae-woong (not the team) did this to spite Ohno and Hamm, at the conclusion of a Korea vs. Japan game?
I wonder why he didn’t do the same at the end of the 7-3 game against USA then. Perhaps it was out of respect that it was USA soil, and no member of the USA made the “30 years” statement.
No, just to counter the assertion that poor sportsmanship in victory is understandable.
Actually, I wonder the same thing.
So, it wasn’t still U.S. soil in the Japan-Korea game? That makes no sense.
dogbertt
I don’t think Koreans would have been offended, had USA come to Korea, on a 6-0 run, and erected the USA flag at the conclusion of a USA vs Japan game which they had just won as (a major underdog throughout the entire tournament, asuming that USA were the underdogs for argument’s sake). I know you don’t agree. So let’s just leave it at that.
Some people (MLB.COM) didn’t see it the way you did. I personally, think it was a bit insensitive, but not unforgivable, and understandable considering the feat (read my first post again).
At game’s end, the Korean players took a lap around the outfield carrying their flag, waving at their admirers and eventually planting a Korean flag on the mound. It was a fitting gesture. The groundskeepers later removed the flag, but perhaps they should have left it in place for a while. After all, the Koreans owned this place for the last four days.
Well, looks like we’re going to see that Korea-Japan rematch. Will Korea make it three in a row, or will Ichiro save some face? Should be an interesting match.
It’s over.
That was pathetic. Jeter, Arod, Chipper, Griffey, you telling me they didn’t try their hardest when there were large chants of USA? I don’t buy those excuses anymore. American baseball talent is grossly overstated. I look at the Mexican team, everyone of them play in the MLB with a large portion of the team, all star material. So do the Puerto Ricans, Venezuelens, and Dominicans. Guys like Jeter, Arod, Chipper, Griffey are just dime a dozen in a league that is throughly internationalized. This isn’t America’s game anymore. The tournament was made to be so favorable to the US team to be one of the finalists, and yet they still couldn’t capitalize. Maybe if that steroid freak Barry Bonds joined the team, things could’ve been different. But that would be cheating (playing a cheating drug addict).
Is it better to eliminate yourselves, or to have an umpire do it for you?
I was laughing my ass off when that mexican guy hold the ball and yelling “see the ball!!”
At least you guys don’t have to thank us no more that’s a gain…..
Couldn’t even watch the game, it’s too depressing. Look for Japan out for revenge tomorrow. Should be interesting match indeed….
I think this competition has great potential. Baseball needs a great international competition. But few things need to be changed. The formatting of games and the complicated rules (like pitchers not being allowed to pitch past 80 pitches) need to go. I understand this is to prevent injuries to million dollar players, but it sure takes away from the competition. Let the players play and only let the ability and talents to decide the results. Get international umpires (not just American umpires) to boost credibility. Get rid of the current format where Korea plays Japan 3 times. That should not happen. At some point in the qualification, Korea should’ve played the Dominicans and Japan should’ve played the Cubans.
I hope Korea wallop Japan for the third time, just so that I can see Ichiro’s face and his angry screaming reaction after the loss. That was freaking hilarious.
After watching this game, I’m wondering how Mexico didn’t make it. Supposedly a weak pitching team, every guy that they paraded out, plays for Major league teams and had All Star numbers for their respective teams. Their hitting was no slouch either, especially Cantou. So how did they not beat Japan and Korea?
Good suggestions, CM, every one of them. One more rule, how about “no flag-planting on pitcher’s mound”?
Korea should beat Japan tomorrow, but not without a fight.
Japan throws down their gauntlet (I think it would be advisable if they just play the game instead of making promises they may or may not be able to keep). If Korea loses, it would be a bit unfair. They beat the same team twice but when they lose once to the same team, they’re out? The tournament structure needs to be changed.
Oh jumps for joy as Japan advances to semifinals; Ichiro on the offensive toward S Korea
Friday, March 17, 2006 at 19:14 EST
SAN DIEGO, California — Japan manager Sadaharu Oh said Thursday he is overwhelmed with joy that his team has reached the semifinals after the United States was knocked out of the World Baseball Classic by Mexico the same day.
With the United States’ 2-1 defeat to Mexico, Japan booked its spot in the semifinals at Petco Park on Saturday in what will be its third meeting with the undefeated South Korean team for a chance to play either Cuba or the Dominican Republic in the final on Monday.
Oh is hoping that the third time facing South Korea will reveal the truth once in for all.
“To be honest, I haven’t felt this thrilled in a long time,” said Oh after learning of Japan’s fate while eating out at a restaurant after arriving in San Diego earlier in the day.
Oh said that although he had been discouraged with Japan’s second defeat to South Korea on Wednesday, he felt satisfied that all his players had done their best to allow as few runs throughout the tournament and it was that resolve that ultimately led to Japan making to the best four.
“Right now there’s nothing for us to be afraid of anymore. Winning this game will depend on scoring early and doing our best to shut them down in the late innings,” he said.
Oh said he plans to have Yomiuri Giants ace right-hander Koji Uehara (1-0) take the hill for the first time against South Korea, calling him the pitcher with the most experience to handle an opponent of this caliber.
Meanwhile, Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro, who has been tainted a villain by the South Korean fans for comments made earlier in the tournament, said a third straight defeat to the South Korean team is unacceptable.
“This is the third time we will face them. Japan cannot let them beat us for a third time. I felt the same way yesterday but my feeling is even stronger now,” Ichiro said.
In Wednesday’s defeat to South Korea, Ichiro went 1-for-3 with one strikeout.
He yelled out profanity in the direction of some fans after failing to catch a fly over the wall in foul territory in the decisive eighth inning, and TV replays appeared to show him barking out an expletive in the dugout when the South Koreans took the field for their victory lap.
South Korean fans booed Ichiro during the game, apparently upset with the All-Star outfielder for making a comment before the first round that he hoped Japan would beat its first-round opponents — China, Taiwan and South Korea — so badly that they would not want to play Japan again for another 30 years.
“This is possibly the first time I’ve been this excited in my career as a baseball player. I feel that we have the right team to win this. There are many ways to win a baseball game and the point is we have to adapt to whatever the situation is,” Ichiro said.
South Korea has beaten Japan by only one run in both games, holding Team Japan to a total of three runs. Ichiro said that the winner of the third contest will have to be the toughest mentally. That will be even harder against a Korean pitching staff with a tournament-best 1.33 ERA.
“Nothing will change technically. Taking control in this game will all come down to which team has the stronger mentality.”
When questioned about how the game against South Korea compares with playing the United States, Ichiro hinted that the rivalry was deeply rooted.
“The pressure of trying to beat South Korea is something totally different than trying to beat the United States. I won’t go into explaining the details,” he said.
Ichiro had a fitful night’s rest after the defeat to South Korea but said Team Japan is now in a positive mode after learning of its fate of a chance to settle the score.
I do not know much about baseball or Ichiro, but I am impressed with the passion of the Japanese player. He seems to really care for the game and seems to be very mature and honest with his emotions. It is natural and healthy to yell when you screw up or when you team loses a close game. I think Ichiro handled himself very well, and none of his comments that I have read have been inappropriate. In fact, they seemed very appropriate and mature.
I am glad that Japan will get a rematch with Korea, and I hope Japan wins because I would love to see Ichiro plant the Japanese flag on the pitching mound afterwards. Koreans have proven that they can play good baseball, but they have also proven, once again, that they are world-champion gloaters.
By the way, Robert, I think the Korean player was trying to be offensive when he planted the Korean flag on the pitching mound, just as they were trying to be offensive when they did the Ohno dance at the World Cup. I would not be surprised if the flag-planting was planned, just as the Ohno dance was planned.
“I do not know much about baseball or Ichiro”
there you go, he said it himself.
“I want to make [Korea China, and Taiwan] see that they will not be able to beat Japan in next 30 years”
Very appropriate and mature indeed.
Sorry, I know everyone already knew this apart from gbevers
G1,
I read that remark by Ichiro, but what is inappropriate or immature about it? He simply expressed his desire to win. There is nothing inappropriate or immature about that.
Digging up the pitcher’s mound in another country to plant your country’s flag is what I consider inappropriate and immature.
LOOLL.
Yeah, you’re right, he said it himself… LOL.
“South Korean fans booed Ichiro during the game, apparently upset with the All-Star outfielder for making a comment before the first round that he hoped Japan would beat its first-round opponents — China, Taiwan and South Korea — so badly that they would not want to play Japan again for another 30 years.”
If the japs lose tomorrow, ichiro-saaaaamaaaaaaa must slash his belly.
give any sport fans a reason to boo someone and they will, heck they don’t even need a reason sometimes.
gbevers, i’ll give you inappropriate and immature
Quote In Sik Kim (Korean team manager)
The ever-respectful Kim has made it a point throughout the tournament to heap praise on Team Japan, never pontificating wildly on how good it must feel to win both games against their Asian rivals.
“Just because we [beat] Japan two times doesn’t mean that Korean baseball is much superior than that of Japan,” Kim said. “I still think that the Japanese baseball is stronger than Korean baseball.”
damn Koreans, when will they learn?
Yes, Kim In-sik is quite humble for a Korean. In fact, his humbleness has become big news in Korea, which suggests that it is unusual. Maybe, one of the reasons he is being so humble is that, as he said, “Japanese baseball is stronger than Korean baseball.”
Hopefully, Kim In-sik will teach 50 million other Koreans to be just as humble.
Actually, that quote from Kim In-sik was written by Jim Street from MLB.com, and it had nothing to do with that being a big news in Korea.
I think there’s only 47.5 million South Koreans (minus that one lone humble Korean), that need to be taught. So 50 million would be an impossible number whichever you slice the dice.
Cm,
The Korea media is also focusing on Kim’s humble attitude.
Don’t worry cm I set him up for it. I knew he would think I took it from Korean media.
Breaking news! 50 million Koreans are struggling to come to grips with a Korean who was humble!
“His humbleness has become BIG news in Korea” my ass.
I thought drugs were for foreigners.
Ah, so drugs played a role, huh? I still think jung is the key.
Sorry for the self promo. Won’t do it again.
yikes!
Okay, I mean it this time. Even if this fails.
I think the real stars of this series is the Americans, who favored diplomacy over a no holds barred win at the expense of less talented teams like Korea and Mexico. There are numerous lessons in this:
1) The best individual talent does not assure a team win.
2) American baseballers never play Allstar games with heart, and this series is no exception.
3) A winning streak does not make your country the world’s best, just the world’s luckiest.
4) Kim In-sik is not humble; he is merely honest.
This is not confirmed but I read that the pitcher in question is injured and he took some pain killers, which lead to problems in the drug test.
“favored diplomacy over a no holds barred win” - are you saying they lost on purpose so that everyone can feel nice nice? Oh come on, I understand what you’re saying about sportsmanship, but that’s going a little too far.. and it serves no justice to those American players who gave it their best (eventhough they sucked).
3) A winning streak does not make your country the world’s best, just the world’s luckiest.
I don’t remember anyone saying they were world’s best, not a single member of the Korean team would dare say that. They haven’t even made the final yet. Winning 6 in a row, with the best pitching record in the series, and having made 0 errors on the field, yeah REAL lucky. They should quit baseball and become full-time gamblers.
4) Kim In-sik is not humble; he is merely honest.
Humble or honest (actually my original argument was that it was mature and approriate), it’s a far cry from the statement made by Ichiro, which was the starting point of that argument as someone suggested his remarks were mature and appropriate.
2) American baseballers never play Allstar games with heart, and this series is no exception.
You are comparing Allstar games to an international tournament. They didn’t WANT it as much as the other national teams because Americans just don’t have any national pride, or heart. That’s what you are saying. But you might be onto something, this phenoenon seems to be ocurring in basketball and hockey as well. That would make Americans the most unlucky in the world? Or is competition heating up?
Kim Byung-hyun is up to his old tricks.
BH KIM lost it for Korea after 6 clean innings. Uehara won it for Japan. Congrats to Japan.
Korea? Humble? Those two words shouldnt even exist in the same sentence.
Korea, arrogance, death threats to Olympic Skater contining even 4 years after the incident..immature, inferiority complex, and jealousy..now those words are all part of one big happy family.
Looks like da gooks are really sulking in misery after having the ball handed to them despite their arrogant bragging. LOL..i Love it
I am glad to see that they were put in their places. Koreans have been acting arrogantly since the begining of time in typical Korean fashion whenver they win something in sports. Read this piece of trash journalism in the biggest daily in Korea for a dose of how bad the K-media likes to revel in self masturbation.
http://english.chosun.com/w21d.....70025.html
The article states that American girls are going ga ga over Koreans now because “Koreans are so handsome and cool.” LOL!!!
If the article above wasn’t so funny given that the members of the Korean team look about as attractive as a rabid chimp, it would be very fitting that a piece of work like this resorting to made up lies so that the home crowd can feel so proud of themselves could come straight from something out of a Nazi eugenics manual. Well, I guess that is the only way Koreans can feel good about themselves.
But we all know how they are the most tasteless winners in the world, bragging and gloating whenever they win or beat Japan/US, but of course, when they lose, they are worse (making death threats to American olympic atheletes who beat Korean atheletes fair and square, whining and throwing chairs at boxing officials in the 1988 Olympics, etc.) You dont see Japanese fans making death threats at the US umpire for the bad call. Completely different mindset.
Looks like a case of sour grapes…I love it! Korea..u guys sucked and Japan clobbered you guys 6:0!!! Hahahah
http://english.chosun.com/w21d.....90005.html
Chonko,
do you usually catch much?
Catch much what?
One Trackback
[...] The Korean victory in turn will help the US enter the semifinals if they can beat Mexico, which the way the US is playing (crappy) is by no means a sure thing. Of course the Korean media is hyping up the fact that the Koreans have helped the Americans again like they did during the last World Cup, the Marmot’s Hole has the inside scoop on that. Than of course the Korean media has to bring up all the times they were “cheated” of glory to the Korean race by the wicked Americans: In the Sydney Games of 2000, the Korean team failed to make it into the finals from the round of four because of a bad call, and in the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, short-track skater Kim Dong-seong was deprived of his gold metal because of the “Ohno Incident.” And two years ago, during the 2004 Athens Games, gymnast Paul Hamm took away Yang Tae-yeong’s sure “gold.” At each turning point, the party that tripped up Korea for doubtful reasons was none other than the United States. Despite this, Korea has played the role of rescuer each time the United States has faced crisis. A typical instance was the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. [...]