Baseball is America's pastime, and this there might be a bit of undue pressure on the country to back that claim up. USA is already the place famous for 100% of the Super Bowl titles and all but 2 World Series champions in addition to the most medals all time in the history of the Olympics...so hard hard could it be to come out on top in the WBC?
Round 1 began with a solid 2-0 win over Mexico, but Canada of all places provided a reality check the next day when they upset the Americans 8-6. With their advancement in doubt and all the pride on the line in the final game of round 1 play, America pulled out all the stops and thrashed South Africa 17-0 in a 5 inning mercy rule shortened game. It would be the only time a WBC would end after only 5 innings until the 2023 competition. With the help of 2 shutouts, the US would finish better than Canada with the tie breaker and advance.
Every other pool had a 3-0 team easily advance, and expectations were on the US to be the 3-0 team from their group, so round 2 began with the Americans looking to prove themselves against tougher competition. Japan would be that competition in the opening game that saw the US squeak out a 4-3 nailbiter that wasn't without it's share of controversy involving an incorrectly called sac fly situation that cost Japan a run.
With arguably the toughest test out of the way, it was a humbling situation when the US lost the next day to South Korea 7-3. After Korea went on to beat Japan the next night, it presented America with a shot at advancing. All they had to do was beat Mexico again, and they could ride a 2-1 record to the finals along with the 3-0 Koreans. But Mexico avenged their round 1 defeat by squeaking by the Americans 2-1, causing a 3-way tie for 2nd place in the pool and needing yet another tie breaker. Japan with their 2.55 RA/9 was just barely better than the USAs 2.65 RA/9 and America was bounced from the competition along with Mexico.
You'll notice a trend of Closers in America's bullpen. Huston Street gives me 2000 Showdown Troy Percival vibes, and that's not always the best comparison to make. But hey, he is coming off an Rookie of the Year campaign here.
If the US had a position of weakness, Catcher would be the one. Offensively, Barrett is solid, but you hope for a batter arm at Catcher.
The cover star of the OG Showdown cards indeed looks just as good representing the red white and blue.
Roger Clemens was still ace material and had no problem against those poor South Africans.
Cordero is a carbon copy of Huston Street. I just can't understand why he's worth 10pts less.
Damon has plenty of speed and on-base at this stage of his career with interesting balance on his chart.
There was space on team America for a low on-base high power potential in the outfield, and Jeff Francoeur is that slugger.
Fuentes offers a change of pace from the above Closers by increasing control in exchange for walk potential.
Griffey highlights the first of a select few cards I've made for this set. He made the All-World Baseball Classic team, and I've decided to honor that by giving him the flag designation where the team logo goes. I'd love to do that for all the WBC players, but some players born in America played for other countries of their heritage. So to avoid that headache, only the select few get the flags.
Holliday doesn't bring the defense, but he brings yet another 10 on-base to help make the American lineup intimidating.
Another All-WBC player, Jeter brings his usual Hall of Fame hitting prowess. I've argued in the past about
the Bot's unfair opinion of Jeter's defense. No way that a Gold Glove winning Shortstop should have his card for that season at +0.
Detroit fans loved to rag on Todd Jones, but that mustache belongs on team USA. Yet another solid Closer option.
Lee was a reliable 1st Base option, especially with A speed.
Lidge brings the 5 control to go with that borderline chart. 2-8 Strikeouts should make him a Closer option for many.
Not every USA Reliever was a Closer on their team. Washington's Closer was already on roster, so Majewski was around to be the bridge to his teammate on multiple teams that year.
Best Closer yet on this team. 6 control with a stingy chart, and plentiful Strikeouts.
They can't all be Closers, and Jake Peavy brings the low control strong chart combo to the equation.
Another 10 on-base star for America. Few people were as excited to play in the WBC as A-Rod.
Schneider brings a slight uptick in defense, with a huge downgrade in offense.
I remember Scot Shields Showdown cards being either a Starter or a multi-inning Reliever. This Scot is not one of those cards. A fantastic chart to go with otherwise average control.
This would be Mark Teixeira's lone WBC appearance. He would look to join the 2013 squad, but injury before the competition would sideline him.
Timlin was another Reliever of less impressive variety.
Chase Utley has the +5 defense at 2nd Base that on it's own is enough to get him in your lineup. The 9 on-base is just icing on the cake.
Team USA Catchers, as before mentioned, aren't as intimidating as the other positions. Varitek is the bridge between the ok offense and ok defense needs.
Vernon Wells is fast, has a nice chart, solid defense and a 9 on-base. It's criminal that a Canadian team sends America such a player.
Wheeler has an acceptable chart to go with that 5 control.
Willis is a bit beyond his hyped debut from years prior, but the funky windup remains entertaining. What isn't is a chart like his appearing for anything other than a 5 or 6 control pitcher.
Even for bench players, Randy Winn is a questionable consideration. The +2 defense for any outfield spot helps, but only if he's replacing someone like Holliday with a +0 arm out there.
If you're keeping track with Michael Youngs defensive journeys, then 2006 is when he was in his Shortstop phase. Playing on the same team as Jeter is a rough deal for anyone, but Young has a nice chart with a 9 on-base that says he can find a place still on some teams.
