Official Olympic Baseball Thread

OLYMPICS - MENS BASEBALL

<table class="matchupBox fontsize16" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="banner"><td colspan="2">OLYMPICS - MENS BASEBALL - Aug 12 </td></tr><tr class="oddRow"><td class="leftColumn"><small>7:30 PM</small></td><td class="rightColumn"><table class="noTopPadding" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="banner"><td colspan="5"> TO WIN GOLD MEDAL - 2008 OLYMPIC BASEBALL</td></tr><tr class="evenRow"><td class="rotCell">30501</td><td class="teamCell">CUBA</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30501_0_-250_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">-250</label></td></tr><tr class="oddRow"><td class="rotCell">30502</td><td class="teamCell">USA</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30502_0_150_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+150</label></td></tr><tr class="evenRow"><td class="rotCell">30503</td><td class="teamCell">JAPAN</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30503_0_600_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+600</label></td></tr><tr class="oddRow"><td class="rotCell">30504</td><td class="teamCell">KOREA REP</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30504_0_1500_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+1500</label></td></tr><tr class="evenRow"><td class="rotCell">30505</td><td class="teamCell">CANADA</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30505_0_2500_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+2500</label></td></tr><tr class="oddRow"><td class="rotCell">30506</td><td class="teamCell">CHINESE TAIPEI</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30506_0_3500_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+3500</label></td></tr><tr class="evenRow"><td class="rotCell">30507</td><td class="teamCell">CHINA</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30507_0_5000_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+5000</label></td></tr><tr class="oddRow"><td class="rotCell">30508</td><td class="teamCell">NETHERLANDS</td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"> </td><td class="selectCell"><label class=""><input name="game" value="751951_0_30508_0_10000_TNT" class="chkbox" type="checkbox">+1000</label></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
Lines are Bookmaker and other books may vary.
Cuba could be great value as Castro will do all he can to send seasoned veterans against the field. 30 year old guy with a 24 year old birth certificate etc..

Would love to see the USA win it. Remember the roster consist of AAA and AA players. I have not seen the other rosters.

Rosters , schedules to follow. Contributions appreciated-D

Here is a quick glance at the USA schedule:

<table cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr height="27"><td>Aug 13</td><td>Korea</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>6:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 13</td><td>Netherlands</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>10:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 14</td><td>Cuba</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>11:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 15</td><td>Canada</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>10:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 18</td><td>China</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 19</td><td>Chinese Taipei</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 20</td><td>Japan</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 22</td><td>Olympic Semifinals</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 23</td><td>Olympic Medal Round</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td></tr></tbody></table>

Remember Japan won the world series of the world. Played the Cubans in the final. Team USA lost an exhibition game to Canada last night
August 2, 2008
Canada edges out Team USA, 4-3
Team USA and Canada continue exhibition play on Saturday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
CARY, N.C. -- Scott Thorman's two-out double in the top of the 10th inning lifted Canada to a 4-3 win over Team USA on Friday evening at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Friday evening's contest marked the first game for Team USA with the Red, White & Blue and Canada set to play three more exhibition contests before heading to Beijing, China for the Olympic Games. With the game deadlocked at 3-3 in the 10th inning, Canada's Stubby Clapp reached base on a one-out walk and would then get into scoring position on a stolen base. With two outs and Clapp still on second base, Thorman knocked a double down the right field line to put the Canadians on top by a run. Right-handed reliever David Davidson entered for Canada in the bottom of the 10th inning and set down all three U.S. batters to close out the game.
Canada reliever Scott Richmond earned the win after hurling two innings and allowing one run on one hit while striking out three batters. USA reliever Jeff Stevens (Berkeley, Calif.) suffered the loss after 1.2 innings of work. He allowed one run on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks.
Things looked good for Team USA early behind starting pitcher Brett Anderson (Midland, Texas). The left-hander looked good on the mound with four scoreless innings of work and allowed just three hits while striking out four and walking only one batter.
The U.S. would go ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning on a two-out RBI double courtesy of Terry Tiffee (North Little Rock, Ark.). The Red, White & Blue got things started with one out as Dexter Fowler (Atlanta, Ga.) reached on an infield single. With Fowler on second base, Tiffee roped a two base hit down the right field line that scored Fowler to give the U.S. a one-run cushion.
The lead increased to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning as Matt LaPorta (Port Charlotte, Fla.) launched a solo homer to left center off of Canadian reliever Rheal Cormier. LaPorta turned on 3-1 pitch from Cormier for his first home run of the summer for Team USA.
With the U.S. holding a two-run lead, the Canadians mounted a rally on the back of three consecutive one-out hits against U.S. reliever Mike Koplove (Philadelphia, Pa.). After a leadoff walk to Emerson Frostad, the Canadians put runners on second and third base on a double from Adam Stern. Canada would then score its first run of the game with a base hit up the middle by Stubby Clapp and took its first lead of the game then on a two-run double from Mike Saunders.
The lead would be short-lived though for Canada as the U.S. tied the game on a solo homer off the bat of Brian Barden (Templeton, Calif.). Barden welcomed Canada reliever Scott Richmond to the ball game with a solo homer off a 2-2 pitch from the right-hander evening the game at 3-3.
Canada finished with an 8-6 advantage in hits including two apiece from Stern, Clapp and Thorman.


Both teams meet in the second exhibition game of the series on Saturday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Note
Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick will be attending Saturday's game between Team USA and Canada at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Gillick will arrive in Cary, N.C., on Saturday morning and have lunch with all members with the Philadelphia Phillies organization (U.S. Olympic Team players Jason Donald and Lou Marson as well as Auxiliary Coach Roly DeArmas and Team Canada players R.J. Swindle and Steve Green).
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Heres a look at team USA:

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<table cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="85">Date
</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="205">Opponent/Event
</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="190">Location
</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="117">City
</th><th style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" colspan="2" width="180">Time/Results (All times ET)
</th> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 1
</td><td>Canada
</td><td>USA Baseball National Training Complex
</td><td>Cary, NC
</td><td>L, 3-4
</td><td> Recap | Box | Log
Cumulative Stats
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 2
</td><td>Canada
</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park
</td><td>Durham, NC
</td><td>7:05 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 3
</td><td>Canada
</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park
</td><td>Durham, NC
</td><td>5:05 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 4
</td><td>Canada
</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park
</td><td>Durham, NC
</td><td>7:05 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 13
</td><td>Korea
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>6:00 a.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 13
</td><td>Netherlands
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>10:30 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 14
</td><td>Cuba
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>11:30 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 15
</td><td>Canada
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>10:30 p.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 18
</td><td>China
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>7:00 a.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 19
</td><td>Chinese Taipei
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>7:00 a.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 20
</td><td>Japan
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>7:00 a.m.
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 22
</td><td>Olympic Semifinals
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 23
</td><td>Olympic Medal Round
</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium
</td><td>Beijing, China
</td><td>
</td><td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <th>#</th><th>Name</th><th>Pos</th><th>B/T</th><th>Ht.</th><th>Wt.</th><th>Birthplace</th><th>Team/School</th> </tr> <tr> <td>40</td><td>Anderson, Brett</td><td>P</td><td>L/L</td><td>6-4</td><td>215</td><td>Midland, TX</td><td>Midland (Athletics Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>34</td><td>Arrieta, Jake</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-4</td><td>225</td><td>Farmington, MO</td><td>Frederick (Orioles Class A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>18</td><td>Barden, Brian</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>5-11</td><td>185</td><td>Templeton, CA</td><td>Memphis (Cardinals Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>17</td><td>Brown, Matthew</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>200</td><td>Bellevue, WA</td><td>Salt Lake City (Angels Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>30</td><td>Cahill, Trevor</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>195</td><td>Oceanside, CA</td><td>Midland (Athletics Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>47</td><td>Cummings, Jeremy</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>215</td><td>Charleston, WV</td><td>Durham (Rays Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td><td>Donald, Jason</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>190</td><td>Fresno, CA</td><td>Reading (Phillies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>45</td><td>Duensing, Brian</td><td>P</td><td>L/L</td><td>5-11</td><td>210</td><td>Marysville, KS</td><td>Rochester (Twins Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>24</td><td>Fowler, Dexter</td><td>OF</td><td>S/R</td><td>6-4</td><td>175</td><td>Atlanta, GA</td><td>Tulsa (Rockies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>7</td><td>Gall, John</td><td>OF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>195</td><td>Stanford, CA</td><td>Albuquerque (Marlins Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10</td><td>Hessman, Mike</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>215</td><td>Fountain Valley, CA</td><td>Toledo (Tigers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>39</td><td>Jepsen, Kevin</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>215</td><td>Anaheim, CA</td><td>Salt Lake City (Angels Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>15</td><td>Knight, Brandon</td><td>P</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>195</td><td>Oxnard, CA</td><td>New Orleans (Mets Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>21</td><td>Koplove, Mike</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>160</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>Las Vegas (Dodgers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>44</td><td>LaPorta, Matt</td><td>OF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>210</td><td>Port Charlotte, FL</td><td>Akron (Indians Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>6</td><td>Marson, Lou</td><td>C</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Scottsdale, AZ</td><td>Reading (Phillies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>49</td><td>Neal, Blaine</td><td>P</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>240</td><td>Marlton, NJ</td><td>Toledo (Tigers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>3</td><td>Nix, Jayson</td><td>2B</td><td>R/R</td><td>5-11</td><td>185</td><td>Dallas, TX</td><td>Colorado Springs (Rockies Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>14</td><td>Schierholtz, Nate</td><td>OF</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>215</td><td>Reno, NV</td><td>Fresno (Giants Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>37</td><td>Stevens, Jeff</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>205</td><td>Berkeley, CA</td><td>Buffalo (Indians Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>29</td><td>Strasburg, Stephen</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>215</td><td>San Diego, CA</td><td>San Diego State University</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>19</td><td>Teagarden, Taylor</td><td>C</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Dallas, TX</td><td>Oklahoma (Texas Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>26</td><td>Tiffee, Terry</td><td>IF</td><td>S/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>215</td><td>North Little Rock, AR</td><td>Las Vegas (Dodgers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>35</td><td>Weathers, Casey</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Elk Grove, CA</td><td>Tulsa (Rockies Double-A)</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> 2008 Olympic Team Coaches </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <th>Name</th><th>Pos</th><th>Birthplace</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Johnson, Davey</td><td>Manager</td><td>Orlando, FL</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Smith, Reggie</td><td>Batting Coach</td><td>Shreveport, LA</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lachemann, Marcel</td><td>Pitching Coach</td><td>Los Angeles, CA</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Eckstein, Rick</td><td>Third Base Coach</td><td>Sanford, FL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>de Armas, Rolando</td><td>Coach</td><td>New York, NY</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Cooke, Dick</td><td>Coach</td><td>Davidson, NC</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="col0">Castro blames 'rich and powerful' for dropping Olympic baseball

</td><td class="col1"> Story Highlights

• Castro blamed the "rich and powerful" for dropping baseball after 2008
• He still likes Cuba's Olympic chances despite recent losses to the U.S.
• He suggested, however, that jet lag could hurt Cuba's chances in Beijing

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</td></tr></tbody></table> HAVANA (AP) -- Fidel Castro on Wednesday blasted the "rich and powerful masters" of the Olympics for dropping baseball from the games beginning in 2012, and said two recent defeats to the United States doesn't mean Cuba can't still win gold in Beijing.
In a brief but confusing essay, the ailing, 81-year-old former president noted the "thundering indignation of the fans because of Saturday's hard defeat."
He was apparently referring to Cuba's 4-1 loss to the United States on Sunday, during the championship game of the 24th Haarlem Baseball Week in Holland.
That loss came after the Americans topped Cuba in the World Cup final in November. Cuba has nevertheless won three of the four Olympic gold medals since baseball became a medal sport in 1992 -- settling for silver only in 2000, when it was upset by the United States.
Castro wrote that the latest incarnation of the national team has "not been defeated."
"We haven't given up on them," he wrote. "We send them a message to raise their spirits."
He went on to suggest that jet lag could hurt Cuba's chances during the Beijing Games, stating that members of the national team, "do not deserve major criticisms if something does not go right."
"They are going to the Olympic Games, which will be played on the other side of the world, where sleeping patterns and the rhythm of life changes," he wrote.
Baseball will not be on the Olympic program in 2012, though officials are hopeful it could return in the future. Castro said the Cuban team has "all eyes on the last appearance of their sport in the Olympics, because that's what the rich and powerful masters of the games have decreed."
He also said he wasn't counting Cuba out, and seemed to be urging nervous baseball fans all over the island to do the same, writing "why don't we wait until the end of the Olympics before discussing at length, and in a democratic way, the responsibility of all those who are involved in Cuban sports."

5 Dimes is currently offering this wager:

<table class="module" rgfloat="440,600" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="800"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td colspan="8" nowrap="nowrap"><small>Baseball Gold medal - winner</small></td></tr><tr style="height: 28px;" bgcolor="#e9eeee" valign="bottom"><td nowrap="nowrap">Thu 8/7</td><td nowrap="nowrap">101 </td><td nowrap="nowrap">Cuba wins Baseball Gold</td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"><input id="editx" name="M1_17" size="4" maxlength="5"> -110 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td></tr><tr style="height: 28px;" bgcolor="#e9eeee" valign="top"><td nowrap="nowrap">10:00PM (EST) </td><td nowrap="nowrap">102</td><td nowrap="nowrap">Field wins Baseball Gold</td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"><input id="editx" name="M2_17" size="4" maxlength="5"> -110 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td></tr><tr style="height: 28px;" bgcolor="#f6f6f6" valign="bottom"><td nowrap="nowrap">Thu 8/7</td><td nowrap="nowrap">103 </td><td nowrap="nowrap">USA wins Baseball Gold</td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"><input id="editx" name="M1_18" size="4" maxlength="5"> +220 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td></tr><tr style="height: 28px;" bgcolor="#f6f6f6" valign="top"><td nowrap="nowrap">10:00PM (EST) </td><td nowrap="nowrap">104</td><td nowrap="nowrap">Field wins Baseball Gold</td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td><td nowrap="nowrap"><input id="editx" name="M2_18" size="4" maxlength="5"> -260 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table style="width: 533px; height: 536px;" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#282898" valign="top"><td colspan="6">TEAM CANADA OLYMPIC ROSTER</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#cccccc" valign="top"> <td style="font-weight: bold;">PLAYER</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">POS</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">AGE</td> <td style="font-weight: bold;">ORGANIZATION</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Chris Begg</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>28</td> <td>Giants</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Tim Burton</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>24</td> <td>Indians</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Stubby Clapp</td> <td>2B</td> <td>35</td> <td>Cardinals</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Rheal Cormier</td> <td>LHP</td> <td>41</td> <td>Phillies</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>David Corrente</td> <td>C</td> <td>24</td> <td>Blue Jays</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>David Davidson</td> <td>LHP</td> <td>24</td> <td>Pirates</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Emerson Frostad</td> <td>1B/C</td> <td>25</td> <td>Rangers</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Steve Green</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>30</td> <td>Phillies</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Mike Johnson</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>32</td> <td>Expos</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Brett Lawrie</td> <td>C/INF/OF</td> <td>18</td> <td>Brewers</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Jon Lockwood</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>26</td> <td>Mariners</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Brooks McNiven</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>27</td> <td>Giants</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Pete Orr</td> <td>INF</td> <td>29</td> <td>Nationals</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Ryan Radmanovich</td> <td>OF</td> <td>36</td> <td>Mariners</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Chris Reitsma</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>30</td> <td>Braves</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Scott Richmond</td> <td>RHP</td> <td>28</td> <td>Blue Jays</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Chris Robinson</td> <td>C</td> <td>24</td> <td>Cubs</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Matt Rogelstad</td> <td>INF</td> <td>25</td> <td>Nationals</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Michael Saunders</td> <td>OF</td> <td>21</td> <td>Mariners</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Adam Stern</td> <td> OF
</td> <td>28</td> <td>Red Sox</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>R.J. Swindle</td> <td>LHP</td> <td>25</td> <td>Phillies</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Scott Thorman</td> <td>1B</td> <td>26</td> <td>Braves</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>Jimmy Van Ostrand</td> <td>1B/OF</td> <td>23</td> <td>Astros</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ebebeb" valign="top"> <td>Nick Weglarz</td> <td>OF</td> <td>20</td> <td>Indians</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Weglarz, Saunders, Lawrie On Canadian Olympic Roster

Posted Jul. 11, 2008 11:39 am by Ben Badler
Filed under: Daily Dish, International, Olympics
With the Olympics two months away, Team Canada announced its Olympic team, a roster that includes three upper echelon prospects.
The most advanced player and perhaps the best prospect is Mariners center fielder Michael Saunders, who is currently with Triple-A Tacoma. The 21-year-old Saunders began the season with Double-A West Tenn, but a .290/.375/.484 performance in 248 at-bats earned him a promotion to Tacoma, where he is batting .275/.351/.490 in 51 at-bats through 14 games. With his tools and stellar results this year, Saunders has a chance to finish the season as the top prospect in the Mariners organization.
"Once you put on your country’s jersey with your country’s name across the chest is something pretty special, especially when you’re going to be playing in the Olympics," Saunders said earlier in the season before the official roster announcement. "It’s the top international baseball competition. It’s just really exciting and it’s taking a sense of pride out there. You could go 0-for any day, and if you’re helping your nation win, it doesn’t matter. It’s something that’s really special to be able to put on a jersey with your country’s name across the chest."
Indians left fielder Nick Weglarz, another prospect in the midst of an outstanding season, has shown an excellent handle of the strike zone with a strong power stroke out of a 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame. Weglarz, 20, is batting .271/.395/.444 in 295 at-bats for high Class A Kinston.

The youngest player on the Canadian team is 18-year-old Brett Lawrie, a first-round draft pick in June who went 16th overall to the Brewers. Lawrie, a catcher from British Columbia, has 70 power on the 20-80 scouting scale, quick wrists and impressive overall athleticism.
One notable prospect omission is Mariners righthander Phillipe Aumont, the team’s first-round pick in 2007 now with low Class A Wisconson. Aumont, 19, hasn’t pitched since June 7 due to an elbow problem.
Team Canada’s roster also features 35-year-old Stubby Clapp, a staple on the Canadian national teams for years who is now a hitting coach for Lexington, the Astros’ low Class A affiliate. Other media outlets originally reported that the Astros had turned down Clapp’s request to leave Lexington to play for the Olympic team, but the team apparently reversed its stance soon thereafter.
Canada qualified for the Olympics in March at the final Olympic qualifying tournament along with Taiwan and South Korea.

Dutch Roster Released

Posted Jul. 20, 2008 12:21 pm by John Manuel
Filed under: International, Olympics
In the Futures Game aftermath, we missed the release of the Netherlands’ Olympic roster, which will be managed by former Yankees shortstop Robert Eenhoorn. The highlights:
• The Dutch got several of their top pitchers to participate, including Futures Game righthander Shairon Martis (Nationals), 7-foot-1 righty Loek Van Mil (Twins) and hard-throwing lefty Alexander Smit (Reds). Other pitchers include Dutch international stalwarts such as righty Rob Cordemans and lefthander Diegomar Markwell.
• The position players include several familiar names infielder, such as Eugene Kingsale, who has more than 500 big league at-bats (but none since 2003); speedster Danny Rombley, a former Expos prospect; and Dirk van ‘t Klooster, who has played more games for the Dutch national team than anyone else. The Dutch were waiting to see if Nationals outfielder Rogervin Bernadina, who got his first big league promotion this year, would be made available to them in time for a spot on the roster.
Other key position players include Yurendell de Caster (Nationals), a former BA Winter Player of the Year; 37-year-old Mexican Leaguer Sharnol Adriana; and former Purdue shortstop MIke Duursma.
• The Dutch weren’t able to secure some of the young players they wanted and one they probably didn’t figure on. Mariners farmhands Wladimir Balentien and Greg Halman aren’t on the roster; neither is Marlins righty Rick Vanden Hurk. However, the Reds’ 30th-round pick, righthander Juan Carlos Sulberan of Florida’s American Heritage High, made the cut. Sulbaran, committed to Florida, has a clean delivery and has shown the ability to have three average pitches in the future with a low 90s fastball, curveball and changeup. But he’s not just another amateur pitcher in this tournament field—he’s a high schooler, the second in the event (following Canada’s Brett Lawrie).

Asian Nations Set Olympic Rosters

Posted Jul. 18, 2008 10:46 am by John Manuel
Filed under: International, Olympics
Asian teams—host China, Japan, South Korea (referred to simply as Korea during the Olympics because of North Korea’s removal from international affairs) and Taiwan (known in international athletic circles as Chinese Taipei as a concession to China)—make up fully half of the 2008 Olympic baseball tournament field. Three of those teams announced their Olympic rosters this week, just as USA Baseball did.
Unlike USA Baseball, those three nations were able to send many of their best players, though like the American team, Japan will not have any of the major leaguers, such as Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who helped it win the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.
Japan’s roster will have several names American fans should recognize, however, led by righthander Yu Darvish of the Nippon Ham Fighters. Darvish is perhaps the top talent in Japan, a hard-throwing righthander who already has won more than 40 games by age 21 in Japan and who sports a career ERA under 2.50. Japan’s roster also features national team stalwarts such as catcher Shinnosuke Abe (Yomiuri Giants) and lefthander Tsuyoshi Wada (Fukuoka Softbank Hawks), who have played for Japan since their college days.
Other names of note include righthanders Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old expected to come to the U.S. after this season; Koji Uehara, who pitched well in the ‘04 Olympics and ‘06 World Baseball Classic but has struggled this season (2-4, 6.46) for the Yomiuri Giants; and 19-year-old Masahiro Tanaka, the No. 1 overall pick in Japan’s 2006 draft. The top position players include Hanshin Tigers first baseman Takahiro Arai, a 31-year-old slugger who belted 43 home runs in 2006, and outfielder Takahiko "G.G." Sato, who ranks fourth in the Pacific League this season with 20 homers.
All of Japan’s players play in the country’s major league, as was the case in 2004, when Japan was upset by Australia in the Olympic semifinals and had to beat Canada to win the bronze medal. Japan won the inaugural 1984 Olympic gold medal when baseball was a demonstration sport, but since baseball became a medal sport in 1992, Japan has won silver once (’96) and two bronzes (2004, ‘92). The country’s greatest international success came with its 2006 WBC championship.
South Korea, Team USA’s opening opponent, reached the WBC semifinals in 2006 and was Team USA’s toughest foe in Sydney in 2000, losing two games started by Roy Oswalt. The Koreans have slugger Lee Seung-yeop on their roster, perhaps the country’s most recognizable player who hit five home runs in seven WBC games. Just four WBC alums made this Olympic roster, however, as big league righthanders Byung-Hyun Kim, Chan Ho Park and Jae Seo did not make the cut or were not available. The most recognizable pitchers to American fans will be former Red Sox and Expos righty Seung Song, a member of the projected Korean rotation, and lefthander Jung-keun Bong, a former Braves farmhand. Song and Bong are slated to be two of the team’s four starters.
The Korea Times reported that the biggest omissions were first baseman Kim Tae-kyun, who leads the Korean Baesball Organization in home runs, RBIs and slugging this season for the Hanwha Eagles; and Son Min-han, a Lotte Giants pitcher who is 8-3, 2.53.
Taiwan has a roster featuring Futures Game MVP Che-Hsuan Lin of the Red Sox system. Also making the roster was former Rockies farmhand Chin-Hui Tsao, who pitched for Taiwan in the ‘04 Olympics as a reliever, and former Dodgers farmhand Chin-Feng Chen. Taiwan will play without Dodgers Hong-Chih Kuo and Chin-Lung Hu, both members of its ‘04 WBC roster, as was Indians farmhand Sung-Wei Tseng, who also isn’t on the Olympic roster.
Taiwan’s team has three amateur pitchers: Lee Chen-Chang, Lo Chia-Jen and Cheng Kai-Wen. The respected Website Taiwan Baseball reports Lo turned down an offer of around $200,000 to sign with the Red Sox this spring and called him the nation’s hardest-throwing amateur, touching 95 mph this spring. Cheng is a 5-foot-9 righthander with a good slider and solid-average velocity, while Lee pitched for Taiwan’s college national team this summer and in the Alaska League last summer, throwing in the low 90s last summer.

2008 - Beijing, China
With Davey Johnson at the helm, Team USA defeated Cuba in the gold medal game of both the Olympic Qualifying event (in Cuba) in 2006 and again in the gold medal game of the 2007 IBAF Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.
The two victories make it virtually impossible to take any teams by surprise in Beijing.
What Johnson and Team USA are working with in China will depend on who's available. Some of the key players from the World Cup have been called up to the Majors and are unavailable. There are some who have remained eligible for Olympic participation, and those players could certainly help secure the USA's first baseball gold medal in eight years. What Johnson seeks for his team is to find a righty-lefty balance from his hitters and pitchers, and to field players who can to put the ball in play and score runs.

m USA crushes Canada, 9-1 Schierholtz's grand slam highlights U.S. power surge
Recap | Box | Log
Cumulative Stats
DURHAM, N.C. -- Behind five shutout innings from Brandon Knight and four home runs, Team USA knocked off Canada, 9-1, in the third game of the Road to Beijing Series. Knight (Oxnard, Calif.) got off to a quick start with a nine-pitch first inning. By the time he exited after the fifth, he had recorded 10 strikeouts, yielding only two hits and one walk.
Sunday marked the first time Knight has pitched since last Saturday for the New York Mets. The righty gave up four earned runs over five innings in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals. Knight was called up only days after being named to the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, and following his start in Shea, rejoined Team USA.
The U.S. struck first with a three-run second inning. Matt LaPorta (Port Charlotte, Fla.) put Team USA on the board with a solo shot over the centerfield fence. It was the Cleveland Indians prospect's second home run of the series, his first coming in the 4-3 Game 1 loss in Cary, N.C. on Friday.
After a Nate Schierholtz (Reno, Nev.) single, Mike Hessman (Fountain Valley, Calif.) followed with a two-run blast to center. Upon leaving the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, the third baseman was among the Minor League leaders in home runs with 32.
The power surge continued in the third when Terry Tiffee (North Little Rock, Ark.) hit a solo home run off the right field foul pole. Team USA's bats were quiet over the next four frames, but in the eighth, a run-scoring single from Matt Brown (Bellevue, Wash.) opened the flood gates.
After Brown's single, the U.S. loaded the bases and, with a towering blast to right-center, Schierholtz cleared them. The grand slam was his second home run in as many nights for Team USA, and for the game, the right-fielder was 3-4 with two runs scored and four RBI.
Team Canada starter Chris Begg went six innings, giving up four runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Second baseman Stubby Clapp went 1-3 with a run scored. In total, five Canadians had one hit in the game.
The Canadians' run came in the sixth, when Clapp was pushed across following an error by U.S. shortstop Brian Barden (Templeton, Calif.). They threatened again in the eighth, but an attempted tag from third by Ryan Radmanovich was thwarted by a strong throw home from LaPorta.
Team USA pitchers combined for the five-hitter, striking out 15 batters and allowing just the one unearned run.
Notes
Knight recorded six strikeouts in a row at one point, over the second through fourth innings...The Bound for Beijing series finale is tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park...Team USA will leave for Beijing on Tuesday morning (EST) and will land in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon (CST)...Team USA signed autographs for fans before Sunday's game.

Exhibition GAME #3



<!-- "mc" -->

Aug 03, 2008 at Durham, N.C. (DBAP)

Canada 1 (1-2)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
Adam Stern lf/cf......... 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1
Stubby Clapp 2b.......... 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
Mike Saunders rf......... 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 2
Ryan Radmanovich rf..... 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scott Thorman 1b/3b...... 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0
Emerson Frostad c/1b..... 4 0 1 0 0 2 7 2 0
Jimmy VanOstrand cf/lf... 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2
Matt Rogelstad 3b/ss..... 4 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 1
David Corrente dh........ 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1
Emmanuel Garcia ss....... 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Chris Robinson c........ 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0
Chris Begg p............. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0
Robert Swindle p........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Steve Green p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals................... 32 1 5 0 3 15 24 9 7

USA 9 (2-1)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
Dexter Fowler cf......... 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
John Gall 1b............. 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 1 0
Terry Tiffee dh.......... 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
Matthew Brown 2b......... 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
Matt LaPorta lf.......... 3 2 1 1 0 1 2 1 1
Nate Schierholtz rf...... 4 2 3 4 0 1 0 0 0
Mike Hessman 3b.......... 4 1 1 2 0 2 2 0 0
Taylor Teagarden c....... 4 0 0 0 0 2 15 2 0
Jason Donald ss.......... 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Brian Barden ss......... 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
Brandon Knight p......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Kevin Jepsen p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mike Koplove p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jeff Stevens p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals................... 34 9 10 9 0 8 27 6 2

Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Canada.............. 000 001 000 - 1 5 0
USA................. 031 000 05X - 9 10 1</pre>

Jesus teams must be awful if knight is doing that good, enjoy watching Taylor Teagarden play

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<table cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="85">Date</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="205">Opponent/Event</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="190">Location</th><th style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17);" width="117">City</th><th style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255);" colspan="2" width="180">Time/Results (All times ET)</th> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 1</td><td>Canada</td><td>USA Baseball National Training Complex</td><td>Cary, NC</td><td>L, 3-4</td><td> Recap | Box | Log
Cumulative Stats</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 2</td><td>Canada</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park</td><td>Durham, NC</td><td>W, 7-2</td><td> Recap | Box | Log
Cumulative Stats</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 3</td><td>Canada</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park</td><td>Durham, NC</td><td>5:05 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 4</td><td>Canada</td><td>Durham Bulls Athletic Park</td><td>Durham, NC</td><td>7:05 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 13</td><td>Korea</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>6:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 13</td><td>Netherlands</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>10:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 14</td><td>Cuba</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>11:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 15</td><td>Canada</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>10:30 p.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 18</td><td>China</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 19</td><td>Chinese Taipei</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 20</td><td>Japan</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>7:00 a.m.</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color" height="27"> <td>Aug 22</td><td>Olympic Semifinals</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>
</td><td>
</td> </tr> <tr height="27"> <td>Aug 23</td><td>Olympic Medal Round</td><td>Wukesong Baseball Stadium</td><td>Beijing, China</td><td>
</td><td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <th>#</th><th>Name</th><th>Pos</th><th>B/T</th><th>Ht.</th><th>Wt.</th><th>Birthplace</th><th>Team/School</th> </tr> <tr> <td>40</td><td>Anderson, Brett</td><td>P</td><td>L/L</td><td>6-4</td><td>215</td><td>Midland, TX</td><td>Midland (Athletics Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>34</td><td>Arrieta, Jake</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-4</td><td>225</td><td>Farmington, MO</td><td>Frederick (Orioles Class A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>18</td><td>Barden, Brian</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>5-11</td><td>185</td><td>Templeton, CA</td><td>Memphis (Cardinals Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>17</td><td>Brown, Matthew</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>200</td><td>Bellevue, WA</td><td>Salt Lake City (Angels Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>30</td><td>Cahill, Trevor</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>195</td><td>Oceanside, CA</td><td>Midland (Athletics Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>47</td><td>Cummings, Jeremy</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>215</td><td>Charleston, WV</td><td>Durham (Rays Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td><td>Donald, Jason</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>190</td><td>Fresno, CA</td><td>Reading (Phillies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>45</td><td>Duensing, Brian</td><td>P</td><td>L/L</td><td>5-11</td><td>210</td><td>Marysville, KS</td><td>Rochester (Twins Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>24</td><td>Fowler, Dexter</td><td>OF</td><td>S/R</td><td>6-4</td><td>175</td><td>Atlanta, GA</td><td>Tulsa (Rockies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>7</td><td>Gall, John</td><td>OF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>195</td><td>Stanford, CA</td><td>Albuquerque (Marlins Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10</td><td>Hessman, Mike</td><td>IF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>215</td><td>Fountain Valley, CA</td><td>Toledo (Tigers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>39</td><td>Jepsen, Kevin</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>215</td><td>Anaheim, CA</td><td>Salt Lake City (Angels Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>15</td><td>Knight, Brandon</td><td>P</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>195</td><td>Oxnard, CA</td><td>New Orleans (Mets Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>21</td><td>Koplove, Mike</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-0</td><td>160</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>Las Vegas (Dodgers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>44</td><td>LaPorta, Matt</td><td>OF</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>210</td><td>Port Charlotte, FL</td><td>Akron (Indians Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>6</td><td>Marson, Lou</td><td>C</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Scottsdale, AZ</td><td>Reading (Phillies Double-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>49</td><td>Neal, Blaine</td><td>P</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>240</td><td>Marlton, NJ</td><td>Toledo (Tigers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>3</td><td>Nix, Jayson</td><td>2B</td><td>R/R</td><td>5-11</td><td>185</td><td>Dallas, TX</td><td>Colorado Springs (Rockies Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>14</td><td>Schierholtz, Nate</td><td>OF</td><td>L/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>215</td><td>Reno, NV</td><td>Fresno (Giants Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>37</td><td>Stevens, Jeff</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-2</td><td>205</td><td>Berkeley, CA</td><td>Buffalo (Indians Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>29</td><td>Strasburg, Stephen</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-5</td><td>215</td><td>San Diego, CA</td><td>San Diego State University</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>19</td><td>Teagarden, Taylor</td><td>C</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Dallas, TX</td><td>Oklahoma (Texas Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>26</td><td>Tiffee, Terry</td><td>IF</td><td>S/R</td><td>6-3</td><td>215</td><td>North Little Rock, AR</td><td>Las Vegas (Dodgers Triple-A)</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>35</td><td>Weathers, Casey</td><td>P</td><td>R/R</td><td>6-1</td><td>200</td><td>Elk Grove, CA</td><td>Tulsa (Rockies Double-A)</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> 2008 Olympic Team Coaches </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <th>Name</th><th>Pos</th><th>Birthplace</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Johnson, Davey</td><td>Manager</td><td>Orlando, FL</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Smith, Reggie</td><td>Batting Coach</td><td>Shreveport, LA</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lachemann, Marcel</td><td>Pitching Coach</td><td>Los Angeles, CA</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Eckstein, Rick</td><td>Third Base Coach</td><td>Sanford, FL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>de Armas, Rolando</td><td>Coach</td><td>New York, NY</td> </tr> <tr class="even_row_color"> <td>Cooke, Dick</td><td>Coach</td><td>Davidson, NC</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"> <table cellspacing="0" width="350"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="4" style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">Olympic Team Archives
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>2006
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> <tr><td>2005
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>2000
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> <tr><td>1996
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>1992
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> <tr><td>1988
</td><td>Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>1984
</td><td>
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td>Statistics
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
</td> <td width="2">
</td> <td valign="top"> <table cellspacing="0" width="200"> <tbody><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(6, 20, 63); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">More Olympic Team History
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>2008 Olympic Team Media Guide
</td></tr> <tr><td>USA Olympics History
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>All-time Results
</td></tr> <tr><td>Record Book: Team
</td></tr> <tr class="even_row_color"><td>Record Book: Individual
</td></tr> <tr><td>Olympic Team Media Guides
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"> <table cellspacing="0" width="350"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="4" style="background-color: rgb(185, 17, 17); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">World Cup Team Archives
</td></tr> <tr><td>2007
</td><td width="">Roster
</td><td width="140">Schedule & Results
</td><td width="80">
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
</td> <td width="15">
</td> <td valign="top">
</td></tr></tbody></table>


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Harvey Dent said:

Jesus teams must be awful if knight is doing that good, enjoy watching Taylor Teagarden play

Click to expand...

I am gonna load up on da Cubans homie

Denniz da Menace said:

I am gonna load up on da Cubans homie

Click to expand...

good call, would be VERY surprised if they didnt win

Harvey Dent said:

good call, would be VERY surprised if they didnt win

Click to expand...

Well we will see if it is a "good call"..they are the favorite

Fidel Castro is such a sob that their roster is unavail, of course..

Because they will field a bunch of guys who are not free men, I think the talent remains trapped on their soil..

I would advise getting action on this as soon as possible because the lines will move up as the games approach.

U.S. Olympic Roster Helps Explains Why Baseball Is Exiting The Olympic Scene

Posted Jul 17th 2008 8:21AM by Josh Alper (author feed)
Filed under: USA
The roster for the U.S. Olympic baseball team was announced yesterday and looking at it, it's not hard to see why baseball won't be part of the 2012 Games. There are no major leaguers, which you could guess, but there are barely any top flight prospects which makes things even worse for those who want to see baseball as an Olympic event.

You've got Matt LaPorta, the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia deal, and Colby Rasmus of the Cardinals but just five players on the roster, assuming their teams don't pull them back before the Games, were on Baseball America's list of the top 100 prospects in baseball entering this season. There are some other decent prospects, a few with marginal futures and career AAA types who won't get more than a cup of coffee in the big leagues.

I don't think the United States needs to win for baseball to be successful at the Olympics, far from it. I'd rather see tight games between the U.S., Japan, Cuba and the Dominican than a 1992 Dream Team type rollover. The seasoned teams from elsewhere get a big advantage because the U.S. team isn't the best one possible. To capture the imagination of the rest of the world, however, you need big names from Major League Baseball or, at least, the cream of the crop from the next level. Without them, it's better to skip baseball at the Olympics and focus on the World Baseball Classic.

Baseball gold medal
Thu 8/7 10:00PM (EST)

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td>Cuba </td><td> -125 </td></tr><tr><td>United States </td><td> +220 </td></tr><tr><td>Japan </td><td> +420 </td></tr><tr><td>Netherlands </td><td> +500 </td></tr><tr><td>Republic of Korea </td><td> +4000 </td></tr><tr><td>Canada </td><td> +7500 </td></tr><tr><td>Chinese Taipei </td><td> +12500 </td></tr><tr><td>China </td><td> +12500 </td></tr></tbody></table>@5 Dimes

wow, Japan at +420 is mighty tempting here.