TWIB Notes- WBC Round 1

I have to say, I am watching alot more of the WBC than I was in 2006. Games have been close and exciting, and while there haven't been alot of upsets, there have enough, especially the Dutch beating the heavily-favored Dominican Republic not once, but twice. The comparison of the two teams is completely one-sided: Netherlands has 2 players with MLB experience, while the DR has 23. And the salaries? Netherlands had $400,000 in 2008 MLB salaries, while the DR had $80 million. So take heed, Yankees & Sox- money doesn't win everything, and good pitching wins almost all of the time.

As for other matchups, the US redeemed itself from its horrible '06 showing by making the 2nd round. Japan, Cuba and Korea easily moved on as well. There should be some really good matchups for Round 2, which start on Saturday. I know I'll be watching.