A heart breaking 2-1 loss in the 2nd round ended Venezuela's run in the 1st World Baseball Classic. They didn't mess around to start 2009 as they beat Italy 7-0 before they got checked by the United States 15-6 where they barely avoided the mercy rule. In the losers bracket, they eliminated Italy in their rematch 10-1 before they came back and avenged their loss to the US by beating them 10-6 to win pool C.
Venezuela wasn't able to get revenge on the Dominican Republic for that 2-1 loss in 2006 because they were eliminated. Instead, Venezuela began round 2 against the Netherlands (who had eliminated the Dominican Republic) and beat them 3-1. Next they met up with Puerto Rico and prevailed 2-0 to lock up a spot in the final bracket. The United States came out of the losers bracket and the two teams met up for a third time to decide who wins the round 2 pool. Venezuela won the rubber match 10-6 to gain a home field game in the semi-finals.
Instead of pitching their ace Felix Hernandez against South Korea in the semi-finals, he was kept in hopes of starting the finals and instead Carlos Silva got the start. Korea took an early lead and never looked back though, as Venezuela fell in a 10-2 blowout, ending their greatest ever run.
Jose Lopez brings dual position eligibility, but it was as a 2nd Baseman that he took home all WBC honors from the tournament. He has a dangerous chart for the rare instances he gets the advantage.
Abreu isn't quite in his prime anymore by 2009, but his speed and 9 on-base would make for a good role player off the bench.
Blanco remains someone with some pop as Catcher, but his defense isn't what you remember from his OG Showdown days.
Cabrera still had a triple crown in his future, and you see that potential in his card here.
No power in his chart, Endy Chavez is best used (if at all) as a speedy bench outfielder you insert late in the game to make a game saving catch.
His card is pretty useless now, but something tells me Armando Galarraga is about a year away from a near perfect card...
If you need a fast outfielder on the bench, there are better choices than a 5 on-base guy with no homer potential.
On the bright side, Enrique Gonzalez can go for 2 innings, in case you want someone with 0 control to pitch more than he already should.
If he was a Shortstop, this would be a pretty OK card. As an outfielder, it's not.
*IF* Venezuela could make it to the final game, Hernandez very well could have stifled Japan and won the entire competition. Sadly, we can only play the what-if game. Anyone with a 6 control is a good choice to anchor a pitching staff.
At +4 for SS, Izturis makes for a great defensive option, but his offense is very lacking so keep him on the bench.
With Melvin Mora, it seems every year brings a new defensive choice for him to play. As strictly a 3rd Baseman here, he's an easy avoid.
Ordonez is a tough sell for your team with +0 as his defense and very limited power despite his attractive 9 on-base.
Parra is very borderline as a bench option. 8 on-base, B speed, barely any power, average defense. You need at least one of those things to be better.
Despite allowing a double at 20, Ramon Ramirez has a great chart for a 3 control Reliever.
Always be wary of a Catcher that also plays 1st Base. Their defense is usually lacking, and that's much more important for your Catcher than a so-so chart.
K-Rod as Closer is a safe bet against most teams.
I have a Scutaro card from the '04 PR set, and here he still maintains a high on-base with solid defense to go with an improved chart overall.
It really isn't fair to compare Mariners teammates Carlos Silva with the above Hernandez, but since Silva was tasked with pitching against South Korea over Hernandez, such comparisons must be made. On one hand, that 1 control and terrible chart have no business starting the penultimate game of the WBC...but then who else on Velezuela could go out there while still saving their ace for the defending champion Japan waiting in the final game? An impossible choice, and Venezuela's lack of pitching depth held them back.
