Good lord, for a tournament that is “meaningless” some feathers have become very ruffled.

Where to start since my last piece on the 2009 World Baseball Classic? Ok, I know one place. I was wrong in saying USA would lose to the Netherlands, they did not. But Matt Lindstrom’s behavior in game 3 of pool 2 was stupid.

I don’t get why Lindstrom is so offended for a brief look at the ball (Everyone knew it was out, fair or foul was the question.). I guess he has never pitch in a MLB game.

I mean that bastard Ken Griffey Jr, he has no class watching them go. As did Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Mike Piazza, and Ryan Howard. If they have no right in looking for a split second before heading to first, how dare Bryan Englehardt not pull a “Charlie Hustle” out of the box.

What little class of Englehardt to enjoy the only upside of their elimination, the first ever Dutch home run in WBC history. How dare Englehardt not consider the extremely sensitive diva personality of the greatest closer in baseball Matt Lindstrom!

Wait don’t “K-Rod” and Brad Lidge close for teams in the same division as “Diva Matt”? Hmmm, while I’m thinking of it, why not pitch behind the next batter. Matt just wants someone to say his name. Much like Billy Wagner, they need to hear themselves on TV. “Diva Matt” later would leave the game (after many more bad pitches) claiming an injury. (How manly a way to leave a fight!) Now they say “strained rotator cuff” but I suspect its the baseball version of “Whiplash! Call the lawyer!”

I just can not wait for Team USA short stop Jimmy Rollins to “Pimp a home run” (As Paul Lo Duca called it) off of Lindstrom. Hopefully Ryan Howard will be the next up to bat, see how bad-ass “Diva Matt” is then.

Tonight Team USA faces Puerto Rico. Winner advances loser goes home. And considering the lack of depth left for USA, my money is on the Puerto Ricans. Davey Johnson put a catcher in the outfield to play the Netherlands, but only as a last minute pick over a pitcher. And considering what I read in todays San Fransico Gate, Johnson seems ready to wave the white flag.

A team that did not surrender was Cuba. This roster of names the big sports network doesn’t know is fun to watch. These guys are not warming up for MLB season, this is their big dance. Dancers should be warned, Cuba often takes the lead and steps on toes.

Their victory over Mexico sends the team from just “south of the boarder” back across. Hopefully they will not run into drug wars, that look like something from the awful Fox series “24”. Most will be in Arizona or Florida with MLB and affiliated camps.

Another team with some moves is Venezuela, who has been shaking as the top of Pool 2. Tonight’s winner between USA and Puerto Rico must face the the South American squad.

On Pool 1 we have a big match up, yet again between Japan and South Korea. (North Korea can’t play at night due to no lights.) This great rivalry that goes back well over a century in life, will make for some great Asian ball. I see Japan advancing from this match up.

The teams that will be in the “Final Four” I suspect will be Japan, Cuba, Venezuela, & Puerto Rico.  We will know in a few hours.

But before I go, I must make special note of some awful coverage on ESPN.

For those not in the know, ESPN is owned by ABC/Disney. While the first thing that name evokes is a Mouse. It should be noted ABC Talk Radio is one of the most right wing outfits on AM radio. Their flagship station is WABC-AM NYC. A once diverse talk station that canned the two liberal shows they had right when we invaded Iraq.(Also Disney’s film wing refused to distribute  Fahrenheit 9-11.)

During midday you can hear former “NFL Sunday Countdown” member Rush Limbaugh.  (what was it he said to end that gig?) Then for the drive home they have right wing crack pot Sean Hannitty. So is ABC sports above Fox using Sports broadcast to push right wing propaganda? NO!

When I was watching Venezuela beat Puerto Rico, every chance these goof balls at ESPN got was more 2005 talking points about the nations leader Chavez. And how his “move to socialism, like Cuba may prevent any talent from Venezuela to be scouted.”. Ok a few lessons on Political Science ESPN. Cuba is “Communist” not “Socialist”. Canada, England, Italy, the Netherlands are “Socialist” in they provide service like healthcare, and free education. But they have free elections and a democratic civic system.

Cuba is authoritarian Communist, please let Hannitty misuse political terms, and announce the freaking game! And also how many times did ESPN have to show the Cuba team doctor/ son of Fidel? MLB Network made note of it and covered the game, did ESPN? NO! (ESPN aired “Castro-palooza 2009”)

Also the claims that the fans were “heavily booing Magglio Ordonez because of his friendship with Hugo Chavez”. Amazing I did not hear any more boos for him than Abreu, or Pudge Rodriguez.

I guess I didn’t have my ABC Talk Radio headsets on. The Sham-Wow guy sells them, “…two pairs for just $9.99, if you call in the next five minutes. They turn a ball game, into a Political Hackfest, and they are made in Germany. The Germans always make great propaganda.”

ESPN again with the non-stop political activism  over why Cuba is so bad. My personal favorite is their claim “all the players from Cuba, would love to defect and play in the MLB for more money. But the government would punish their families.” Really? Or is it not everyone wishes they were from the US? Maybe some people like a modest life and play a game for the love not a McMansion, a Hummer with spinning rims, and gold teeth!

Maybe just maybe ABC/ESPN/Hitler Youth at the big rodent sports network could focus less on GOP talking points. Less on living in a complete bubble from the American and World Mainstream. (This is the WORLD Baseball Classic, not the CONSERVATIVE UNITED STATES Baseball Classic!)

I just wish this whole thing was on the MLB Network, Matt V & Charley Steiner worry more about covering the game, and less about boasting the audience of dying talk shows! Maybe Rush should send his Oxy Contin to the crew at ESPN so they can chill out, on some of that “Hillbilly Heroin”!

SHUT UP, AND PLAY BALL!!!!