International Baseball Madness

I am incredibly pumped for the World Baseball Classic game tomorrow. USA vs. Canada. A rematch of the game. I have no idea how I am going to watch it, but I definitely will try.

The game is of course the Canada vs. USA World Baseball Classic game in 2006. I was still on the U of T campus when the game began, and didn't know the score until I got into my dad's car for the ride home. It was only then that I found out about the ridiculous lead that Canada had built, in Arizona no less, from the FAN590 (the local sports radio station). Needless to say, I was shocked. Remember, we are talking about baseball here. America's national pastime.

Unfortunately, none of the radio stations was actually playing the game, and so I remained at the mercy of the FAN590 and their game updates. Considering it was still early in the game, the car ride only got more and more nerve-racking, even as the Canadian lead kept growing. Could they actually pull off the upset?

When we finally arrived home, I bolted out of the car, into the house, and to the nearest available TV. We arrived joyously to see the Americans were still down by 8 runs.

However, Adam Loewen, who was the starting pitcher for Canada, had to be pulled from the game - despite having handcuffed the US for the first few innings. With the departure of Loewen, the Americans started to mount an incredible comeback in the 5th inning, much to my dismay.

After having already put up 6 runs in the fifth so as to pull the game back to 8-6 Canada, the Americans loaded the bases with two outs and set the stage for Chase Utley, the American second baseman.

At this point, I was terrified. Not only had the Americans clawed there way back, but we had some pitcher I had never heard of on the mound, and he was pitching to probably the best hitting second baseman in the game. And just as expected, the pitcher threw a beachball right down the middle of the plate that Utley was more than willing to crush.

All I could manage to do was slump over in my chair in agony. The game had gone sour. The momentum had completely changed in favour of the Americans. Even worse, Canada's pitching staff was essentially cobbled together from whomever they could find, and so I did not believe that they could keep the Americans from running away with the victory.

The game was essentially over and I knew it. So did Chase Utley, who made the moment so much more devastating when he allowed a smarmy grin to creep onto his face. He even raised his fist in triumph before the ball had left the park, a moment I expected would haunt me in my sleep. But then Adam Stern happened.

Adam Stern was/is a middling prospect who, at the time, had played a handful of games at the Major League Level, and has hardly played any more since. But this was his day. He was batting ninth, and yet somehow managed to collect 4 RBI's which included this glorious piece of work. Just watch that clip. The announcer didn't even know who he was.

Most importantly, Adam Stern was not about to let Canada lose this game.

I wish I could find a video of the ensuing play. All I remember is the ball sailing off of Utley's bat, headed to the bleachers behind centerfield. Both Utley and I assumed it was a homerun, but instead, Adam Stern came out of nowhere to make a ridiculous leaping catch right by the wall. As he fell into a heap on the ground, I leaped out of my chair and screamed in joy. The inning was over. Canada still had the lead. We could still win this game!

Sure enough, the scrubs that together formed Canada's pitching staff somehow managed to hold on for the win. Canada 8, USA 6. IN BASEBALL! It was one of the most satisfying sports victories I could possibly imagine.

The rematch of this game goes down tomorrow at the Roger's Centre in Toronto. I wish I could be there, however I am in Edmonton. But I am proud to hear my sister is keeping the faith and attending. If you enjoy baseball (particularly if you are Canadian, or even just mildly approve of Canada), you should make every effort to go.

If you do go, give the team (especially for Adam Stern) a standing ovation. And when you are done, give them a second one for me.