Super Bowl XL has long since passed, or at least I've done my best to forget about it.  However there is one piece of unfinished buisness left.  During the game my girlfriend made one of the greatest comments I've heard during any game.  I made a promise to her that I would post it, but it is well worth it, just hope it isn't one of those had to be there moments.

     During the return of a Rothleisberger INT he (Big Ben) proceeded to be on the wrong side of one hell of a block.  A block which sent him tumbling backwards and looking like a skiier who just wiped out at a high speed.  After seeing this, my girlfriend Lynn, said with all the sincerity in the world "Well now that wasn't professional", reffering to Big Ben, not the guy who hit him.  Still brings a smile to my face just thinking about it...

     While I am at it I will include last years best Super Bowl comment.  My buddy Chris kept going on and on about how funny it would be if Paul McCartney came out to the halftime show in a pair of "ass-less chaps".  He continued these assertions several times, until enough was enough and I needed to inform him, "Uh Chris, all Chaps are ass-less".  Again, probably much funnier in person. However here's one we all probably are more familiar with.

     Super Bowl XXVIII - The country collectively wonders in a temporary moment of silence....."Did I just see what I thought I saw".       

     The heck with the blurb this week onto the Bonehead....

Bob Davidson (WBC Umpire) - For those of you following (this award blog and the WBC) you'll know that Bob, made dishonorable mention last week for his bad call in the Japan/USA game.  Well this time, he was at it again.  He showed us that it's not only little league outfielders that get caught not paying attention to the game.  Davidson blew a homerun call in the US/Mexico game.  The ball clearly hit the foul pole, the only way he and the rest of the umpire crew could have missed it was to not be paying any attention, or needing glasses.  Well this congrats, you've finally done it.  Your our bonehead of the week.

Dishonorable mention - Jerry Jones (Owner Dallas Cowboys) - Anyone who signed TO was going to get at least a dishonorable mention.  It may be a smart move on the field, but has proven to be a team killer on both of his previous teams.  Drew Bledsoe,  I hope you have ear plugs.

     Did anyone see 2 for the Money?  That's how I feel these days, with all the unpredictablity of this Tournament.  I am however feeling a little better after going out on a limb on the Korea vs. Japan semi.  Phew, well anyway, back to blogging with as championship game preview for everyone.

     Japan vs. Cuba - So who out there would have predicted that we would see Japan vs. Cuba in the Finals.  If you did, chances are you are either lying or you were sweating bullets the whole classic.   Neither team was overly impressive in the first 2 rounds.  Japan was only 3-3 going into the semi-finals before upsetting Korea.  Cuba faired better at 4-2, but both were up against the two stories of the Classic.  Korea was 6-0 and the Dominican Republic was 5-1.  Well that's why they play the games. 

     What can we expect?  Like most of the bigger games pitching will be in the spotlight.   Japan has seemed to come up with some timely hitting and showed the ablity last game to crack a seemingly unbeatable pitching staff.  Team speed is a huge factor, this team can manufacture runs.  It seems that all the big hitters were silenced in this Tournament, so this seems to bode well for Japan.  Cuba, well, I hate to admit this but I still don't know what Cuba can bring to the table.  Only one game was televised in English here in the states and I don't get ESPN Deportes.  Unfortunately work caused me to miss that game.  I hate to say it but my best guess is flipping coin, especially since I've been wrong about Cuba for the 3rd straight round.  Well the coin says Japan.  Not the analysis that I would have liked to give, but this thing has turned into a real crap shoot.  Should be fun to watch...

So much for feeling like I had a grasp on this WBC thing.  After going 7 for 8 in the opening round, I only managed to go a pathetic 1 for 4 in Round 2.  Well back to the drawing board for the Semi's.  On a personal note, this is exactly why out of all sports you should never bet on a baseball game, too unpredictable.

Semi #1 - Korea vs. Japan -  As we all know by now the Korean team has yet to lose a game and have already rung up 2 victories over team Japan.  Edge Korea.  They should advance and ontop of things have allowed an extremely low numbers of runs against.  But, this is a grudge match.  Japan twice now has had to lick their wounds.  The smart money would be on Korea, however I've learned one thing about the WBC, the smart pick isn't always going to be the right pick.  The Korean team plays in a lot of close games, it will come back to haunt them. 

Who will advance? - Well, it's either three strikes and you're out for Japan or the third time being the charm.  I'll take three times a charm, Japan advances to the finals.

Semi #2 - Dominican Repulic vs. Cuba -  Ok again, I didn't think Cuba had what it took to make it this far, I've been wrong on them all tournament long.  Dominican Repulic showed that it is human after all with their first loss of the Tournament.  So where does that leave things now?

Who will advance? - Going with an earlier theme, I've twice picked Cuba to lose out and they advanced.  Well third times a charm for me.  The Dominican Republic advances to the Finals.

 The debate is already starting to heat up, is Spring Training more important than having the WBC?  Both are "competing" for top billing in the build-up to the regular season.  Which one has the edge, if any, and which one will go the way of the dinosaur?  Let's take a look at each one.

Spring Training - The traditional start to the season where players hone there skills in short outings over the course of about a month.  This is the chance for younger players to show what they have and make a run at a possible roster spot.  It helps build team chemistry going into the season. 

     Some drawbacks however are that the games are essientally meaningless.  Sure, players get their at-bats in as they warm up for the start of the season, but they mean nothing and unless you're trying to win a spot on the roster there is little if any pressure.  Even when there is pressure to perform it isn't for the team, it is for the individual. 

     Spring Training games are boring.  Sorry, they really are.  It's a nice warm, friendly atmosphere around spring training games but with nothing on the line there is an aurua of nothingness around the games.  Sure it's nice to win, but how many guys really care about the win in spring training over personal achievement.  I love baseball, don't get me wrong, but at my most recent spring training game I found the kids running up and down the hill along the 3rd baseline more interesting. 

The WBC - I probably wasn't as leary about it's prospects off the bat as most were.  I thought it was a great idea who's time has come.  Although I was setting myself up for disappointment with all the big names declining to play, I was getting more and more worried.  However the level of play and passion in the games has showed.  It's been a success so far and only will get better. 

     The games actually have meaning to them.  For most of the MLB players in the WBC their normal spring training would consist of extremely limited at-bats in early innings.  Now they step to the plate with national pride on the line.  It gives those players a real chance to gain more experience in situations that they will never come across in a Spring Training game.  Besides, like I said before, it's great baseball we're seeing and it's televised.  Spring Training games are occasionally televised, so the WBC gives more exposure to fans who can't see a Spring game that starts at 1 pm (I'm not sure but it seems like almost all of them do).

     One last thing the WBC does is actually allow for more playing time in Spring Training for guys trying to make the team.  Players missing from their clubs camp mean more oppertunity for those players still there.  I like the WBC, I like it a lot.  To me Spring Training is already the substitute for watching the WBC.

     I want to defend some criticisms of the tournament.  First is the pitch counts.  People can complain about this all they want, fact is these pitchers are probably getting more work in than they would in Spring Training.  If not more at least an equal amount against more quality batters. 

     It detracts from Spring Training.  Well, ok there is a point here.  If I was a big fan of a certain star player and took the time to head to spring training to see them, I might be a little mad.  But, seriously though, how often do the Barry Bonds' of the league play in Spring Games.  A lot of the guys don't make the trips to other spring ball parks.  Chances are unless you are there for opening day of Spring Training, you could very easily go to the game and not see your favorite player at all.

     The last issue I want to address is the "soccer attitude".  The Soccer Attitude is this, people will not even consider giving this a chance (like soccer in america) and will bad mouth the whole thing, find faults where they can and yet never even watch a game.  That really bothers me.  Along with that attitude is that if the US isn't in it then it's no longer interesting.  Fair point to some degree, but if you are just watching the US games you are missing out on the whole point of the WBC and some amazing baseball being played in other games. 

     I guess a lot of the attitude is aversion to change.  I take issue with people complaining about soccer and how boring it is, etc etc etc, who have never watched a game and just form their opinion on the sport because the media here doesn't like it.  Probably more due to the fact that they have no clue about the sport and if they don't understand it, it must be bad.  I've heard the same sort of garabage spewed about the WBC from some in the media.  Get a clue, watch the games then say what you have to say.