The Netherlands has done it again, knocking off the D.R. 2-1 in 11 innings. It is being hailed as the "biggest upset in D.R. baseball history."
Really?
The Dominican team is full of major league talent. But it's full of major league talent with guaranteed contracts during the beginning of spring training. These players are still slowly and leisurely playing their way into baseball shape. Sure, maybe they've been working out over the winter break, but they certainly haven't been facing live pitching since last September/October. Add to that the fact that many of these players are stars for their employers, and a good number of players have either politely refused to play or been denied the opportunity to play by their teams for fear of exacerbating lingering injuries. Then put them up against a young team with few players in any major league system, players entering the spring training period with something to prove, and players for whom this tournament IS their world series.
Yes, this is a rather incredible story and no, I don't want to take anything away from the Netherlands who beat a baseball powerhouse twice over 4 days. But does this scenario sound familiar to anyone else? If you're a fan of USA Basketball, it should. It took a 6th place finish in 2002 and being relegated to the bronze medal game in 2004 for playing for those involved with USA Basketball to really buy in. Perhaps this will serve as similar motivation for the Dominican players in 3 years.
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