Kevin Kernan is silly.

"This was an international disgrace."

No, it was not. Losing a baseball game is not an international disgrace.

(Predictably, Team Canada's manager suggests that his team won because they have more heart. I'm guessing they're also clutch and a team of destiny.)


"Mark it down as the most embarrassing defeat in Team USA baseball history, losing on its home turf to a country known for hockey, eh."

I can't rebuke that particular point. It probably is the most embarrassing loss in Team USA baseball history. It's also proably the least embarrassing loss in Team USA history.

Quick! Name one other loss in Team USA baseball history. Name one victory in Team USA baseball history, prior to the 2006 WBC. Name one play in Team USA baseball history, prior to the 2006 WBC.


"Shockingly, Team USA could be eliminated from the World Baseball Classic without throwing another pitch."

Good. Get them back to their teams in Spring Training.

Then the fans can be "shocked" and "stunned" when AAA pitchers manage to get three outs in an inning, which happens every day in Spring Training. Heck, it happens just about every day in the Majors. The only difference between Randy Keisler and Sandy Koufax is consistency.


Team USA's WBC loss is niether shocking nor stunning. It's one game and that's just how baseball works.

Dontrelle Willis had an off day in early March and Mark Teixeira was 0-for-5. Play again in July and Willis might throw a shutout and Teixeira might hit two grand slams. Play again tomorrow and Team USA might win 15-zip and set the world back on its axis.