World Baseball Classic update

WBC 1st round pool D

Canada vs. Mexico in the top of the 9th inning, had one of the biggest brawls I have ever seen in baseball. It was amazing! Canada bunted to get on base with a 6 run lead (Can 9 Mex 3). The third basemen for Mexico after picking up the bunt told his pitcher to hit the next guy by pointing at him. Normally bunting with a big lead would be considered bush league but in the WBC the more runs you score the better in this format of play incase of a tie breaker. Mexico threw at the next batter as a warning. Some words were exchanged between benches. Then the home plate umpire came out and warned both benches. The next pitch straight at the back of team Canada. I couldn't believe it and I knew something bad was going to happen. The batter that was hit started walking towards the pitcher basically wording out What are you doing? as he was in shock that he still threw at him. The catcher pushed the batter and both benches were cleared. It was a crazy brawl with multiple guys throwing full out punches and guys getting thrown to the ground. It became more than just a baseball fight. It was one country vs. another country. It took a long time to get everything under control. Even when things seemed to cool down the fighting would break out again. Finally when the two teams started to go back to their dugouts, team Canada got pelted with bottles from Mexico's fans in the crowd. This started players and fans exchanging words. There was even fights in the crowd between fans.

Mexico Fans continued to throw stuff at Canada's dugout. It was considered to call the game as a forfeit. Security and law enforcement were escorting many fans.

One of the reasons why it was such a huge brawl was due to the fact that it was two different countries going at it. It's a lot different than two MLB teams that are part of the same organization.This shows how the passion in these games are so intense and just makes winning that more important.

Here is a link to a video of the fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0445HMGAzA0

The final Canada wins 10-3.

Another big game to watch tonight at 9 PM ET is USA vs. Italy. USA is a big favorite but Italy has been surprisingly impressive. It should be a good game. If USA beats Italy then the game tomorrow afternoon of USA vs. Canada will be the deciding game to see who will move on to the next round with Italy. 

2013 AL East

Who is going to win the division?
This year the AL East will be almost impossible to predict who will come in first. Every team has a good shot at it.

1. The Blue Jays are the team to beat this year but they might be getting to much hype. I really like their lineup with some good bats in it. Im a little worried about their pitching.
2. The Yankees are looking weak to tell the truth. Losing Granderson for 10 weeks, Jeter coming back from his injury, Arod missing most of the season, not having Martin this year (cervelli is a bonafide scrub) and just dumb moves like getting Youkilis (makes me sick). They have a weak bottom of the order so the production of runs will decrease this year and the pitching doesn't look an better than last year. Still a good team but not sure if its a done deal on getting to the postseason but its the Yankees who know how to win and get it done. 
3. Orioles
4. The Rays
5. Red Sox 

ESPN greatest team of all time...

ESPN greatest team of all time...

The 1998 New York Yankees!!!

record: 114-48
Finished 1st in AL East

Won the World Series against Padres in 4 games.

Not much to say about our 2012 postseason

I'm not happy but I'm also not mad. The Yankees basically finished in 4th in the MLB this year making it to the ALCS. Thats a good accomplishment and I believe people don't realize it because of the high expectations every year with the Yankees. Also winning the AL East this year was great especially battling a lot of key players getting injured during the season.

The #1 problem during the postseason was EVERYONE was in a slump except Raul Ibanez who made most of the games very exciting. It wasn't just A-Rod who couldn't hit but seemed like he was put in the spotlight because of his high expectations and low performance every postseason.  This year he hit a .120 during the postseason.  After Derek Jeter got injured would have liked to see A-rod get moved to short. A-Rod is was of the best shortstops to play the game. I feel as if making that move might have changed his play and might have been enough to get him out of the slump.

Going into the postseason this year I was thinking the Yankees would have been struggling with the pitching but getting help from a strong offense. It was the exact opposite the Yankees just couldn't hit and the pitching was good.

KEYS for the offseason:

1. Try to get Ichiro Suzuki back
2. Say goodbye to Nick Swisher - My sister and brother in law called this move a year ago and I always backed Swisher but my breaking point was the error in right field during ALCS with the line drive on his glove side he completely missed. Its about a 98% chance he isn't returning next year in pinstripes.
3. If no Ichiro and with Swisher gone the Yanks need a right fielder. Many options that will be available. Wouldn't mind seeing Torii Hunter or even Melky Cabrera.
4. Keep Granderson
5. Keep Martin even with his .211 avg this year / very reliable behind the plate
6. Keep Ibanez
7. Re-sign Andy Pettitte
8. figure out what to do with A-Rod keep or trade
9. Get ready to win number #28

2012 American League East standings 7/20/2012

Love to see these standings.
1. Yankees
2. Baltimore
3. Rays
4. Boston
5. Toronto

The Yankees have a big lead in first but that can always change. Before the Yankees late game tonight they are 8.5 games ahead of Baltimore. Toronto has been a disappointment this year. I had high hopes for Toronto this year.

In the East
The Yankees have the lowest runs allowed with 373. They also have 452 runs scored which is third. 1st Boston 469, 2nd Toronto 454 Keep it up Bronx Bombers!!!