Canadian Olympic Baseball Team

[kipperfan]

Am I the only one a little surprised by the calibre of talent that is on our olympic team. I remember our national teams from the past, and they were horrible, and you wouldnt know a guy on the team unless you followed A ball.

But these guys are real players!! We got Ducey, Spoljaric, Dickson, Radmonovich, Klapp and Laforest with good ole Ernie Witt as the manager!! I think we have a decent shot at silver in this event, I cant predict us to beat Cuba too, but sh** anything could happen!!

[Jiggy_12]

They look good so far, but they have yet to play a contending team. I look forward to see how they stack up against Cuba and Japan.

[kipperfan]

They have looked good, but I was referring more just to the bigger names, with much more expiernece and skill than ever before, my hopes are high!!

Beating Cuba, ihope so, but wouldnt bet on it, but those Japs better watch out, cause their goin face Dickson, and hes real good.

[JiriHrdina]

In the exhibition games leading into the Olympics I believe their biggest problem was hitting. If they can keep on swinging the sticks as they have been they should be fine. The pitching should be good enough to contend with the good teams.

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by Jiggy_12@Aug 18 2004, 01:43 AM
They look good so far, but they have yet to play a contending team. I look forward to see how they stack up against Cuba and Japan.

Agreed.

But they are going no-nonse. Heard an interview with Ernie Whitt - the guy sounds like he takes no bull. Its all or nothing...

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by kipperfan@Aug 17 2004, 07:46 PM
Beating Cuba, ihope so, but wouldnt bet on it, but those Japs better watch out, cause their goin face Dickson, and hes real good.

What is it 1942? Yes - but what will we do when we face those Kraut and Wop teams?

[Resolute 14]

I am encouraged that Canada is blasting these teams. That is a very good sign. But, fact is, Taiwan, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Australia arent contenders.

Japan and Cuba are going to be the tough ones, and I really, really hope we can upset Japan. With our run differential, beating Japan would likely mean 1st in the round robin, a very easy semifinal matchup, and an excellent shot at the gold medal game.

edit: Of course, what the Canucks are doing is made very remarkable by the fact that our two best players in Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis were not released by their major league teams to come to Athens.

[calf]

Any team with a guy named Stubby Clapp is going to be good. It's the law.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse+Aug 18 2004, 03:02 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (I-Hate-Hulse @ Aug 18 2004, 03:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-kipperfan@Aug 17 2004, 07:46 PM
Beating Cuba, ihope so, but wouldnt bet on it, but those Japs better watch out, cause their goin face Dickson, and hes real good.

What is it 1942? Yes - but what will we do when we face those Kraut and Wop teams? [/b][/quote]
Lay off the Wops what did they ever do to you.

Sincerely,

Drunken Irish pig.
________
OMAHA FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASSEMBLY PLANT PICTURE

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Personally I'm hoping we can play Japan in baseball just so I can see some coverage of the Olympics that isn't Japanese.

The Olys here are as bad as Bob Costas and NBC.

[Resolute 14]

Australia upset Japan, leaving us the only undefeated team. Our chances of winning the pool just increased.

[RedHot25]

Did any of you guys see the Road to Athens/Athens In-Depth report on Sportsnet (I believe it was)?

These guys look like they are quite the team- i.e. for what it is worth, the chemistry and camaderie appears to be present. Apparently, I believe likely after qualifying for the Olympics, they sang Oh Canada on the bus ride - insanely loud.

Not that its a huge deal, but it just shows how strong their commitment is...

[Jiggy_12]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Aug 18 2004, 08:21 AM
Australia upset Japan, leaving us the only undefeated team. Our chances of winning the pool just increased.

Wow, Autrailia? Thats unexpected, our chances just got a whole lot better.

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by Jiggy_12+Aug 18 2004, 06:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Jiggy_12 @ Aug 18 2004, 06:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Snakeeye@Aug 18 2004, 08:21 AM
Australia upset Japan, leaving us the only undefeated team.# Our chances of winning the pool just increased.

Wow, Autrailia? Thats unexpected, our chances just got a whole lot better. [/b][/quote]
I havent checked the standings, but Cuba may be in a position where they could throw their game against Canada to ensure Canada finishes first, and they fourth. They did it to us in the 99 Pan Am Games, and I wouldnt put it past them if they had the opportunity this time around.

Edit: Forgot to mention we beat Team North America...err, Greece 2-0.

We are 4-0, while Japan is 3-1, and Cuba 2-1, but leading their game today.

[evman150]

Australia beat Japan pretty good yesterday and the Aussies lost to Chinese Taipei who Canada beat 7-0. What does that say about the Japanese? And what does it say about the Cubans that they lost to the Japanese? I think it says Canada's got a pretty good shot at gold here.

I heard them say on the broadcast this morning the Aussies had one Dave Nilsson on their team. You Milwaukee Brewers fans out there will remember Dave, the slugging first baseman/catcher from the early 90's. Wondered what happened to him.

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by evman150@Aug 19 2004, 09:49 AM
Australia beat Japan pretty good yesterday and the Aussies lost to Chinese Taipei who Canada beat 7-0. What does that say about the Japanese? And what does it say about the Cubans that they lost to the Japanese? I think it says Canada's got a pretty good shot at gold here.

I heard them say on the broadcast this morning the Aussies had one Dave Nilsson on their team. You Milwaukee Brewers fans out there will remember Dave, the slugging first baseman/catcher from the early 90's. Wondered what happened to him.

Be careful with that idea, though...not saying that it couldn't happen or is happening, but Japan and Cuba are traditional powerhouses.

[Resolute 14]

All it takes is one upset. Canada is only in the olympics because Mexico shocked the US in the quarter finals of the qualifying tournament. Were it not for that upset, we would have met the Americans in the semis, and probably would be on the outside looking in.

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Aug 19 2004, 05:10 PM
All it takes is one upset. Canada is only in the olympics because Mexico shocked the US in the quarter finals of the qualifying tournament. Were it not for that upset, we would have met the Americans in the semis, and probably would be on the outside looking in.

Well, we didn't get that upset, did we? 9 - 1....all I have to say is OUCH!

[kipperfan]

Well I was pretty wrong.

Im hoping that game was the exception, not the rule, that was sick, if we have any chance of contending with the big boys we CANT pitch like that.

[TheCommodoreAfro]

All it takes in Bball is a pitcher to have an off day - the Japanese were whipped by the Aussies for the same reason we were spanked by them.