Comments on: Nelson Figueroa: Hometown Kid Shines In WBC Spotlight

By: Just-Da-Damaja

Just-Da-Damaja — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:30:26 +0000

“Where is the passion to play for your country, the one that invented the darn sport, really?”

That passion is way higher in the Caribbean than in America

The way Canadian folks take to Hockey is the way Latinos take to baseball.

baseball is a way of life down in some of these countries, it reminds me of the way it USED to be here…back when we used to get together as kids and play baseball in each others backyards or in the street….

hell it was snowing like crazy this winter….and driving around surburbia….i didnt see ANYONE play football in the street…nobody….

no kill the man with the ball..

not even two-hand touch

all these kids are locked up in their rooms playing video games or on their smart phones…

go down to DR or Cuba or some parts of PR ( I’ve been to all 3 ) where folks live in shacks…and kids play the way WE USED TO PLAY….OUTSIDE….WITH EACH OTHER….

The American Passion to play sports is now on your X-Box or PS3

By: sarge69

sarge69 — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:06:59 +0000

Congrats to Figgy and Bah Hum Bug to the top of the USA order, Rollins looked like he wanted to be somewhere else, Phillips has usually hit higher up in order; is this the best 2 leadoff guys the US team can come up with?
Hosner was terrible I hope he does better for KC.

The US lacked the intensity you find in playoff games and it showed in 1st loss to Mexico with ancient Garcia playing RF, really!

If not for GS by David and his continued clutch hitting in Arizona the USA would be on their way home.

Where is the passion to play for your country, the one that invented the darn sport, really?

I guess you don’t get a QS for going 6 innings and then use that at arbitration or the fact you helped your country win can’t be turned into a new contract just has the USA once again losing in this tournament.

If players have no passion, or you cant’ get the “BEST” to play as other countries do then don’t have a team.
Some of these teams, Mexico and players from PR and DR have been playing winter ball so maybe their pitching is a better conditioning but really guys the other teams have maybe 2 o3 MLB stars while we “supposedly” have one at every spot, sure don’t look like it.

Captain America has shown his true value

By: Lifelongmetsfan

Lifelongmetsfan — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:33:40 +0000

It was good to see. Congratulations to Figs. and The PR team.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:50:02 +0000

“Nothing pretentious about him.”

Agreed.

By: Hotstreak

Hotstreak — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:44:12 +0000

Mr. North NJ: Nothing pretentious about him. He embodies perseverance have played all over the world he belongs in the WBC. For Figgy to succeed is special for him and to his fans as I am one of them.

By: Hitman

Hitman — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:21:50 +0000

I still can’t believe this guy kept the US in check. Unbelievable.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:04:42 +0000

Figgy was denied the opportunity to play for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series due to some misunderstanding by him it seems that if he played for a D.R. team during Winter ball he waived his right to play in the series. He has always taken great pride to represent P.R. whenever he could so seeing him get the chance in the WBC and pitch well last night was good to see.

P.R. has gone further than I ever envisioned. I’m hoping the final is kept in the Caribbean with D.R. & P.R. squaring off.

By: Chicago Days

Chicago Days — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:59:58 +0000

Good for PR & good for Figueroa. Otherwise, bah humbug. Bad format with pros with fat contracts, where the risk of injury is real and potentially damaging to them, their teams, and their fans.
Want to continue this Olympics of the Diamond? Fine. Do it with best amateurs in the Sport in both USA and Other Countries. No pros. Thanks.