2017 MLB Thread News & Notes

[hockeyfan1]

Well, it's almost time for "Playball!".  Whilst our Blue Jays and other Major League teams are engaging in a series of Spring trainig exhibition games, there is something else to interest baseball fans -- the World Baseball Classic.

Taking place in the U.S. this year, and with Ernie Whitt's Team Canada long eliminated, it'll be coming diwn between undefeated Puerto Rico (7-0) and the winner of the Japan/USA tilt.

Puerto Rico  beat the Netherlands 4-3 in extra innings to vault them into the championship game. 

Marcus Stroman and Team USA had previously defeated Jose Bautista and the Dominucan Republic in their Semi-Final matchup.

The U.S. vs Japan game is set for tonight.

Stories:
http://deadspin.com/the-wbc-knows-baseball-is-supposed-to-be-fun-1793474911

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/3/21/14998400/world-baseball-classic-usa-japan-semifinals

[hockeyfan1]

So, Team USA staved off Team Japan 2-1 vaulting them to a meeting against Team Puerto Rico in the WBC Championship Final tonight.

This is the first time the U.S. has ever reached the WBC Final in spite if the fact that the United States has hosted previous editions of this annual tournament.  Speaking of Team USA, Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman will be the starter on the mound.

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/22/usa-beats-japan-reaches-world-baseball-classic-final-first-time/99480456/

[Captain Canuck]

So, Team USA staved off Team Japan 2-1 vaulting them to a meeting against Team Puerto Rico in the WBC Championship Final tonight.

This is the first time the U.S. has ever reached the WBC Final in spite if the fact that the United States has hosted previous editions of this annual tournament.  Speaking of Team USA, Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman will be the starter on the mound.

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/22/usa-beats-japan-reaches-world-baseball-classic-final-first-time/99480456/

So this annual tournament is held every 4 years? How does that work?

[hockeyfan1]

So, Team USA staved off Team Japan 2-1 vaulting them to a meeting against Team Puerto Rico in the WBC Championship Final tonight.

This is the first time the U.S. has ever reached the WBC Final in spite if the fact that the United States has hosted previous editions of this annual tournament.  Speaking of Team USA, Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman will be the starter on the mound.

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/22/usa-beats-japan-reaches-world-baseball-classic-final-first-time/99480456/

So this annual tournament is held every 4 years? How does that work?

Typo.  Correoted.

[hockeyfan1]

The Jays' Stroman led the way on the mound  as Team USA earned it's first ever WBC Championship shutting out Team Puerto Rico 8-O.

Stroman played a big part in the victory, pitching a no-hitter through to the seventh inning until Puerto Rico's Angel Pagan broke it up with a  double.
Stroman's one-hitter (including a walk) was preserved by reliever Sam Dyson who got the save.

"This is Marcus Stroman at his absolute best, and not just because of his six no-hit innings. Soft-contact ground balls are bread and butter." - Jeff Pasan of Yahoo! Sports.

Joe Sheehan   @joe_sheehan
I'm enjoying the start of the Marcus Stroman Era.

Congrats to Team USA and especially to the Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman.  Way to go!

Read all about it:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2699561-usa-marcus-stroman-beat-puerto-rico-for-world-baseball-classic-2017-title 

[hockeyfan1]

Wondering about ex-Blue Jays now Cleveland Indians Edwin Encarnacion?

Here are his stats:

2017       WAR    AB   H   R   HR   RBI   SB   BA 
              -0.1     23   5   2     1     1      0    .218


Source:   baseballreference.com

Nothing that the Jays have missed in abundance so far.

[Joe]

So no part of your brain said 'this info might be a bit too soon'?

[L K]

Encarnacion is a notoriously slow starter.  If his stats are bad in June I think the Jays can relax.   Meanwhile they look to be in sell everything for 5 cents mode as no one is playing well.

[hockeyfan1]

So no part of your brain said 'this info might be a bit too soon'?

That's why I said "so far". 

[Joe]

It's statistically irrelevant.

[hockeyfan1]

The Pittsburgh Pirates Gift Ngoepe made history in Monday night's game between the Pirates & the Cubs, in being the first ever African-born player to hit in his first major league at-bat.

A proud moment for an emotional Ngoepe who is also the player in MLB to come from the African continent.

Story:
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/pirates-rookie-gift-ngoepe-first-african-born-player-mlb-history-225005809.html

[Captain Canuck]

The Pittsburgh Pirates Gift Ngoepe made history in Monday night's game between the Pirates & the Cubs, in being the first ever African-born player to hit in his first major league at-bat.

A proud moment for an emotional Ngoepe who is also the player in MLB to come from the African continent.

Story:
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/pirates-rookie-gift-ngoepe-first-african-born-player-mlb-history-225005809.html

The other interesting part of this story is the Pirates actually cut MLB's first Lithuanian player to promote MLB's first African player.
The Pirates were also the team that signed pitchers from India, so they have a culture of exploring every corner of the world for baseball talent.

[hockeyfan1]

How many times does this happen, eh?  (Psst.  In 2007).

What's the fuss?  Read on to find out:


http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/twins-set-franchise-record-28-hits-20-7-rout-ms/

[Arn]

Just picked up a couple of tickets to catch the Red Sox in Tampa in a couple of weeks time. Tropicana Field looks like a pretty... unique venue.

[Heroic Shrimp]

Just picked up a couple of tickets to catch the Red Sox in Tampa in a couple of weeks time. Tropicana Field looks like a pretty... unique venue.

That's one way of putting it.