The Bleacher Bums: March 21, 2006 Archive

Gambatte, Nippon!

Posted at 5:10 PM on March 21, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

Japan won the WBC yesterday with a very solid presentation of both pitching and batting. Matsuzaka ended up doing quite well, even after giving up a solo shot to his first batter, right after getting 4 runs in the first. For alot of pitchers that could be a bad bellwether, but he got through it and dominated most of the very-good-hitting Cuba team.

Matsuzaka ended up being the tournament MVP, with Ichiro and Satozaki both being selected to the All-Tournament team. Gourriel, Garlobo, and Marti from the Cuban team were also selected.

I personally loved seeing the different styles of play shown by the various teams. I loved seeing the fire and passion displayed. I loved how the teams actually stood at the top of the dugouts and watched the actual game happening, and were even cheering along with the crowd. I especially loved really small things, like how the Cuban catcher fired the ball as fast as he could back to the pitcher every time. I swear he would have caused several errors if not for the pitcher's quick reaction. Anything that caught your eye?

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