Dominican Baseball Experts: Your Opinion.

[miguel]

Ay Dios!

Who are some of you trying to kid?.

Let's forget about being a dominican player fan. Let's me just express my view as a baseball fan:

The DR has enough good players to make ONE and a half team.

Venezuela has enough players to make 1/2 a team.

Puerto Rico has enough players to make ONE team.

THE GOOD OLD US OF A HAS ENOUGH PLAYERS TO MAKE ABOUT 20 TEAMS!!!!!. And every single of those teams can beat the hell out of any teams made out of Dominicans, Venezuelans, Puerto Rican, Mexicans and Martians, for crying out loud!.

Yes, the DR has ALOT of good players but come on people, lets be realistic!.

The only way that the US will not win is if they do not select the right players or some players opt to not participate (as did Sheffield).

Have some of you forgotten why El Licey, under Tommy Lasorda, back in the '70's, used to win so many championships?.

 

[DRPAWA]

You are only partly right Tia Trina...

Sorry, I couldn't resist calling you Tia (yes I have an aunt with that name).

When you say, " Now think about Dominican pride, and how baseball is the lifeblood of most Dominican men. Who do you think will put forth a better effort...." I think you are partly right - it is going to be about national pride so these guys should give it their all. But then I think about Manny....

So, yes I'm agreeing with you but I think there's more to it.

 

[DRPAWA]

Half a team Miguel?????

"The DR has enough good players to make ONE and a half team.

Venezuela has enough players to make 1/2 a team."

Miguel, I think you may be forgetting that there may only be half a Venezuelan team playing in the Biggs but that doesn't mean that there aren't 20 good Venezuelan players playing in Venezuela or Japan or even DR that will make the Venezuelan team and play great since this will be a global stage they'll be playing on and this could be their chance. Similarly, there's tons of great Dominican ball players that you and I don't know about because they're not playing in MLB.

As for the El Licey teams of the 70's, (which I know nothing about) those were teams playing together all the time. Now you're going to have a mix of big shots and economically poor players together. You don't think they'll be some interesting things going on in the background that will affect the performance of the team? I do! I hope it doesn't but it's part of human nature. Let's hope Felipe can deal with these kinds of things effectively - if he is in fact the one who will manage the DR team.

 

[miguel]

"The DR has enough good players to make ONE and a half team.

Venezuela has enough players to make 1/2 a team."

Miguel, I think you may be forgetting that there may only be half a Venezuelan team playing in the Biggs but that doesn't mean that there aren't 20 good Venezuelan players playing in Venezuela or Japan or even DR that will make the Venezuelan team and play great since this will be a global stage they'll be playing on and this could be their chance. Similarly, there's tons of great Dominican ball players that you and I don't know about because they're not playing in MLB.

As for the El Licey teams of the 70's, (which I know nothing about) those were teams playing together all the time. Now you're going to have a mix of big shots and economically poor players together. You don't think they'll be some interesting things going on in the background that will affect the performance of the team? I do! I hope it doesn't but it's part of human nature. Let's hope Felipe can deal with these kinds of things effectively - if he is in fact the one who will manage the DR team.

True, about the players that we do not know, but lets not forget about the american players that are also playing overseas or in AAA.

About the Licey comment: All I wanted to state was that El Licey won so many times because Lasorda used to take some of his Dodgers players (regulars and from AAA), after the season was over, to play for El Licey in the DR.

I hope that you are not trying to say that the US is NOT the team to beat?.

 

[DRPAWA]

Absolutely not Miguel...

Miguel asked:"I hope that you are not trying to say that the US is NOT the team to beat?.."

I think it's plainly evident that the Gringo team is the team to beat and that everyone want them to be beaten. Furthermore, everyone thinks that if anyone can do this it's the Dominican team! Don't tell me you don't think so!

Digression: It will be interesting to me to actually see how good the Cuban team will be (if they participate) and how many will defect. Would it not be crazy if they all defected like that dance troupe that defected in Las Vegas?

 

[toneloc24]

Miguel asked:"I hope that you are not trying to say that the US is NOT the team to beat?.."

I think it's plainly evident that the Gringo team is the team to beat and that everyone want them to be beaten. Furthermore, everyone thinks that if anyone can do this it's the Dominican team! Don't tell me you don't think so!

Digression: It will be interesting to me to actually see how good the Cuban team will be (if they participate) and how many will defect. Would it not be crazy if they all defected like that dance troupe that defected in Las Vegas?

I would never put anything past Castro. He is a huge baseball nut, amongst other things. He may risk his best players defecting, for the chance of showing what Cuba baseball is all about on such a world stage, against the best in the world. They shut teams down. Been doing it for years, and we never even know any of the names of the players on the team. But they always find a way to leave an impression.

 

[miguel]

Miguel asked:"I hope that you are not trying to say that the US is NOT the team to beat?.."

I think it's plainly evident that the Gringo team is the team to beat and that everyone want them to be beaten. Furthermore, everyone thinks that if anyone can do this it's the Dominican team! Don't tell me you don't think so!

Actually, the only team, out of them all, that can beat the "gringos", in my opinion, would be the dominican team. BUT only if the "gringos" do not take their best players. Again, lets be real!.

I think that the US should make one team to play the dominicans, another team to play the Venezuelans, another team to play the Puerto Rican, etc.. and they would beat them all at the same time, lol.

Comparing 'gringos" talents to any other talents is like comparing oranges to apples!. Not trying to take anything away from the good spanish players but in my opinion (NOTE: MY OPINION) for every good spanish player, there are 5 or more better "gringo" players.

 

[SKY]

Miguel,

I hate to bring this up again, but maybe you missed my previous posts.

I am looking for 2/1 odds. I will take the D.R. and you can have the U.S. to win the tourney. Any other team wins, it is no bet and the money is returned. Please do no take this personal. I just want to back my team. I have about 50K US to risk.

 

[miguel]

I see!

Miguel,

I hate to bring this up again, but maybe you missed my previous posts.

I am looking for 2/1 odds. I will take the D.R. and you can have the U.S. to win the tourney. Any other team wins, it is no bet and the money is returned. Please do no take this personal. I just want to back my team. I have about 50K US to risk.

Not a gambler, nor a lover for that matter, lol.

I do not have to bet to prove a point, unless you want to bet your 50k against the 2 pennies that I have saved in the bank.

One question: since you are sure about your team and you want to back them up, why not an even bet?.

 

[SKY]

How much would you like even for. 50K US?????

 

[miguel]

Not me!

How much would you like even for. 50K US?????

As I said: not a gambler.......

When I asked "why not an even bet", I meant to even the bet with other posters, not with me. But it you want to bet your 50k to my saved 2 pennies, you have a deal.

Buddy, even if I was born in the DR, I know oranges from apples. I am not blind. I am a baseball fan and not just a dominican player fan. If they are good, I will be the first one saying that they are good. Just don't be too good when playing my beloved Yankee Doodles Dandies!!, lol.


Do we have a bet?.

 

[SKY]

Miguel,

I am sorry but I will have to pass.

We have a bet though on dinner for four at Rockys. I have the D.R. and you the U.S. But you cannot bring AZB

 

[miguel]

Whaaaaaaaat?.

Miguel,

I am sorry but I will have to pass.

We have a bet though on dinner for four at Rockys. I have the D.R. and you the U.S. But you cannot bring AZB

You don't want me to bring may "man"?. Just because he dumped me for Larry?. Out of the question, lol!!!!!.

You have a bet.

Just remember these names:

C Schilling
J Smoltz
R Johnson
R Clemens
J Kent
R Halladay
J Varitek
M Piazza
L Berkman
J Damon
B Bonds
D Jeter
K Woods
and many, many, many others great "gringo" players.

 

[SKY]

You don't want me to bring may "man"?. Just because he dumped me for Larry?. Out of the question, lol!!!!!.

You have a bet.

Just remember these names:

C Schilling
J Smoltz
R Johnson
R Clemens

How many of them will show up? Want to make another bet?

 

[miguel]

Oye!

How many of them will show up? Want to make another bet?

Care to know why am not making a big deal these games?.

Listen carefully: remember that baseball, now, it's more about business than anything else.

Do you think owners will be happy that their "players" are playing games that has nothing to do with their contracts and they are at risk of getting hurt?.

Don't you know that now in about all contracts are clauses where a player can not play sports, in the offseason, where they can hurt themselves.

Do I have to remind you what the Yankees did to Aaron Boone when he got hurt playing basketball on the offseason?.

That said, don't be surprised if many of the dominican players are not allowed to participate.

So in a way, I think that you, some posters and I are just wasting our time.

 

[SKY]

Miguel,

Colon has a huge contract with the Anaheim Angels. In it, it states that he cannot play Winter League Baseball.

When Licey and Aquilas played in the finals guess who pitched in two crucial games. COLON.

The difference is Dominicans do not always follow the rules. You should know this. They will all play. Mark my words. I already bet six figures, and not Pesos.

 

[miguel]

But!

Miguel,

When Licey and Aquilas played in the finals guess who pitched in two crucial games. COLON.

The difference is Dominicans do not always follow the rules. You should know this. They will all play. Mark my words. I already bet six figures, and not Pesos.

Guess what will happen to him if he gets hurt?. Just remember Aaron Boone. Enough said!!.

 

[easygoin]

Reality check please

I keep checking my PM?s and see nothing. Where is all the big money in the U.S????

As they say in Brooklyn. PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!

For you to come off at 5-1... you have no confidence in your team and ARE really scared, of the history of baseball..USA. That's WHAT that comment shows me about you. and YOU still have the BALLS ... I mean empty sack to repeat yourself.

LET'S just see what Vegas says, before we squash you like a little bug that you are.

 

[Mr_DR]

Since you wanted to go down this path, you're acting like the USA won't shut the DR down. After Pedro, you have suspect pitching and fielding. As we know great pitching ALWAYS trumps great hitting. You really might want to re-think this.

The DR has a great group of individual talent, without question. Now put them on the field together and see what happens. My US team has specific positions, and plenty of quality depth at each position. Still wanna battle?

SP - Roger Clemens/Mark Prior
SP - Randy Johnson/Kerry Wood
SP - Curt Schilling/Jake Peavy
SP - Roy Oswalt/Jon Garland
SP - Chris Carpenter/Mark Buehrle
SP/RP - John Smoltz
SP/RP - Roy Halladay
RP - Brad Lidge/Jason Isringhauser/Derrick Turnbow
RP - Joe Nathan/Trevor Hoffman/Braden Looper
RP - Billy Wagner/B.J. Ryan

1B - Derrek Lee/Mark Teixiera
2B - Brian Roberts/Jeff Kent
SS - Derek Jeter/Michael Young/Chone Figgins
3B - Alex Rodriguez/Morgan Ensberg
LF - Barry Bonds/Cliff Floyd
CF - Ken Griffey Jr/Jim Edmonds/Johnny Damon/Tori Hunter
RF - Gary Sheffield/Adam Dunn
C - Jason Varitek/Joe Mauer/Mike Piazza

Any questions?

That's what you call a real dream team.

 

[NY1]

Yes, the DR has ALOT of good players but come on people, lets be realistic!.

You seem to forget, that not only does DR have some good players, they have arguably the top 6 players in the game.


As for the 25 man roster someone asked about:

1. 2b Alfonso Soriano
2. 3B Alex Rodriguez
3. DH David Ortiz
4. LF Manny Ramirez
5. SS Miguel Tejada
6. RF Vladimir Guerrero
7. 1b Albert Pujols
8. CF Jose Guillen
9. C Miguel Olivo

Bench:

Juan Encarnacion
Luis Castillo
Adrian Beltre
Aramis Ramirez
Moises Alou

P Pedro Martinez
Bartolo Colon
Odalis Perez
Jorge Sosa
Runelvys Hernandez

Francisco Cordero
Jose Mesa
Yhency Brazoban
Felix Rodriguez
Armando Benitez (if healthy)
Damaso Marte



That's the 25 best that I find. Of course they'd also need a backup catcher like Alberto Castillo, but, oh well. Willy Mo Pena and Rafael Furcal would also look good on that team as well, but no room.