Knuckle Curve » 2009 wbc

Sidney Ponson Tested Positive at WBC

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:15:28 +0000

At the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Sidney Ponson currently of the Kansas City Royals tested positive for Phentermine, a stimulant that is on the banned substance list. As a result, Ponson won’t be able to play in international baseball competition for 24 months.

Ponson, who pitched for the Netherlands in the 2009 WBC, says that he was prescribed Phentermine to lose weight. Major League Baseball won’t suspend him.

On the season, Ponson has pitched like he needs performance enhancer. The 32-year-old from Aruba is 1-5 with a 7.27 ERA. Last year, while splitting time between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees, Ponson was 8-5 with a 5.04 ERA.

Ponson isn’t the first big league player to have busted at the WBC. Recently, Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana. Soto played in the WBC for Puerto Rico. Since the positive drug test, Soto has apologized. Like Ponson, Soto won’t be suspended by the MLB.

Sidney Ponson - WBC Netherlands (Image: Zuma Press)

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Ichiro a Hero as Japan Wins 2009 WBC

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:41:32 +0000

When Japan needed a big hit to win their second straight World Baseball Classic, they got the needed hit from their biggest star. Ichiro, who has been one of the best baseball players in the world over the last decade, hit a single in the top of the tenth inning to score two runs for Japan.

Ichiro a Hero for Japan (Image: Newscom)

After ending South Korea’s chances in the bottom of the 10th, Japan became successful in their bid to go 2-for-2 in the World Baseball Classic. In 2006, they won the inaugural WBC event.

Japan got up early in this ballgame but could never put South Korea away. After gaining a 1-0 lead, South Korea tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Japan scored once in the top of the seventh and top of the eighth, however South Korea forced extra innings by scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth and the bottom of the ninth.

Ichiro’s big hit came with runners on second and third for Japan. The hit was Ichiro’s fourth of the game in six at-bats. Now Ichiro gets to go to Japan as a hero and a two-time World Baseball Classic champion.

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Japan Eliminates Team USA in WBC

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:48:23 +0000

Japan won the initial World Baseball Classic in 2006. On Monday, they will try to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic after defeating the United States on Sunday night by a final score of 9-4 to advance to the championship game.

Akinori Iwamura Bats for Japan (Image: Newscom)

The night started off well for the U.S. as they scored in the top of the first inning. After Japan tied it at one, the United States went up 2-1 on a David Wright RBI double in the third inning.

However, the wheels came off for the U.S. in the bottom of the fourth. Facing starter Roy Oswalt, Japan scored five times to go up 6-2 and they would never look back.

Getting the win for Japan was Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka, who was the MVP of the 2006 WBC, remains undefeated in WBC play. His ERA for this year’s event stands at 2.45 after he gave up two earned runs in 4.2 innings.

In the championship game, Japan will face South Korea after South Korea defeated Venezuela on Saturday.

The 2009 World Baseball classic championship will take place at 9:30 PM EST at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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South Korea Headed to WBC Finals

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:55:56 +0000

An underdog against the powerful lineup of Venezuela, South Korea quickly showed that they weren’t intimidated. Sprinting to a 7-0 lead after two innings, South Korea easily held on to win by a final score of 10-2.

South Korea’s lone Major League Baseball player provided the big hit in the first inning. Choo Shin-Soo of the Cleveland Indians hit a three-run shot off of Venezuelan starter Carlos Silva.

Choo Shin-Soo Celebrates First Inning Blast (Image: Newscom)

On the mound, South Korea got a huge performance from Yoon Suk-Min. Only 22-years-old, Yoon gave up only two earned runs, seven hits and one walk in 6.1 innings, while striking out four batters. His ERA during the 2009 World Baseball Classic is a sparkling 1.12.

International success isn’t a foreign concept to South Korea. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, they were able to win the gold medal in baseball.

Now South Korea will play the winner of the United States versus Japan matchup for the championship of the World Baseball Classic. Roy Oswalt will get the start for the U.S. and Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for Japan in the game that is to be played on Sunday.

The championship game will take place on Monday in Dodger Stadium.

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USA Calls on Oswalt in Semifinals

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:42:20 +0000

For their semifinal game against Japan, the United States will put the ball in Roy Oswalt’s hand. In his last outing, Oswalt delivered four shutout innings against the Netherlands in a must-win game.

Roy Oswalt, World Baseball Classic 2009 (Image: Newscom)

Facing another must-win game, the US is going back to the pitcher who is regarded by many as the best big game starter on the roster. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros.

Although Japan hasn’t officially named their starter, most followers expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to get the start. Last year with the Boston Red Sox, Matsuzaka had an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA.

The winner of the USA versus Japan will face the winner of Korea versus Venezuela. The championship game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic will take place on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Japan won the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 and Matsuzaka was named the Most Valuable Player of the WBC.

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USA Survives, Then Loses in WBC

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:02:53 +0000

The United States has had a rollercoaster past two days in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday, the US rallied in the ninth inning to beat Puerto Rico and avoid elimination. On Wednesday, the United States got beat handily by Venezuela.

The hero on Tuesday night was David Wright. Down by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Wright hit a single that scored two runs to give their 6-5 margin of victory. With the loss, Puerto Rico was eliminated. Oddly enough, the last time Puerto Rico and the US met, Puerto Rico won that game 11-1.

On Wednesday, Venezuela remained on fire. In the bottom of the sixth, Venezuela scored three times to extend their one-run lead to a 10-6 advantage. After a scoreless final three innings, Venezuela had completed their upset.

Despite the loss, the United States has successfully qualified for the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Gerardo Parra of Venezuela - Source: Newscom

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World Baseball Classic Standings – 2009 WBC

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:07:44 +0000

Here’s a look at the standings for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. While it’s not much of a surprise that Cuba and Puerto Rico are undefeated, it is surprising that teams like the United States and Japan have a loss. And it’s very surprising that the Dominican Republic is eliminated.

POOL A
Korea (3-1)
Japan (2-1)
China (1-2)
Taipei (0-2)

POOL B
Cuba (3-0)
Mexico (2-2)
Australia (1-2)
South Africa (0-2)

POOL C
Venezuela (3-1)
United States (2-1)
Italy (1-2)
Canada (0-2)

POOL D
Puerto Rico (3-0)
Netherlands (2-2)
Dominican Republic (1-2)
Panama (0-2)

Next up is the second round of the World Baseball Classic 2009.

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2009 World Baseball Classic Update

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:38:20 +0000

On Sunday, there were five games on the 2009 World Baseball Classic schedule. The first game saw Cuba hit six long balls on their way to beating South Africa 8-1. Then the Dominican Republic bounced back from their stunning defeat against the Netherland to beat Panama by a final score of 9-0.

The United States advanced to the second round by beating Venezuela by a final tally of 15-6. Australia demolished Mexico 17-7, while Korea stomped China 14-0.

On Monday, Mexico beat South Africa easily. Korea surprised Japan by a final score of 1-0. In a 6-2 ballgame, Italy was able to eliminate Canada. Puerto Rico advanced to the next round with a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands.

The 2009 WBC continues on Tuesday with three games lined up: Italy vs. Venezuala, Dominican Republic vs. Netherland and Cuba vs. Australia.

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Korea Roster – 2009 World Baseball Classic

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:31:46 +0000

Although the Korea has only one player (Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians) on their roster who currently plays in the MLB, they are a team that no other country is overlooking in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. They play very fundamental baseball and are very disciplined. Although their 2009 WBC schedule is difficult, they could be the surprise team of the tournament.

Here’s a look at the Korean roster for the World Baseball Classic 2009.

Bong, Jung – Pitcher
Choi, Jeong – Infielder
Chong, Taehyon – Pitcher
Choo, Shin-Soo – Outfielder
Hwang, Doosung – Pitcher
Jang, Wonsam – Pitcher
Jeong, Keun-Woo – Infielder
Jong, Hyun Wook – Pitcher
Kang, Min Ho – Catcher
Kim, Hyun-Soo – Outfielder
Kim, Kwang-Hyun – Pitcher
Kim, Tae Kyun – Infielder
Ko, Young Min – Infielder
Lee, Bum Ho – Infielder
Lee, Dae Ho – Infielder
Lee, Jae Woo – Pitcher
Lee, Jin Young – Outfielder
Lee, Jong Wook – Outfielder
Lee, Seung Ho – Pitcher
Lee, Taek-Keyn – Outfielder
Lee, Yong-Kyu – Outfielder
Lim, Chang Yong – Pitcher
Oh, Seung Hwan – Pitcher
Park, Ki Hyuk – Infielder
Park, Kyung Oan – Catcher
Ryu, Hyunjin – Pitcher
Son, Min Han – Pitcher
Yoon, Suk Min – Pitcher

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WBC 2009 Schedule – World Baseball Classic 2009

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:50:50 +0000

The first round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic takes place from March 5th to March 12th. During that week, four different pools will play games in four different countries. The entire WBC 2009 runs until a champion is crowned on March 23rd.

Here is a look at the schedule for the World Baseball Classic 2009:

Pool A First Round in Tokyo, Japan
Game 1 – China vs. Japan
Game 2 – Chinese Tapei vs. Korea
Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser
Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Pool B First Round in Mexico City, Mexico
Game 1 – South Africa vs. Cuba
Game 2 – Australia vs. Mexico
Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser
Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Pool C First Round in Toronto, Canada
Game 1 – United States vs. Canada
Game 2 – Italy vs. Venezuela
Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 5 – Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner
Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Pool D First Round in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Game 1 – Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
Game 2 – Panama vs. Puerto Rico
Game 3 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 4 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser
Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

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