2 US Sports dropped from the Olm. Games

Discussion in 'Politics & Current Events' started by Scarecrow, Jul 8, 2005.

  1. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Red Card

    Feb 13, 2004
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  2. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    This is totally outrageous. I think I'll pass on the Olympics from now on.
     
  3. Michael K.

    Michael K. Member

    Mar 3, 1999
    There or Thereabouts
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank ******** for that. I could not bear to watch us get our asses kicked in by the Cubans once again in a sport we invented. Good riddance.
     
  4. M

    M Member+

    Feb 18, 2000
    Via Ventisette
    Reasonable move. I don't think baseball and, in particular, softball should have been added in the first place. Just not widely enough played at a competitive level to justify entry.
     
  5. Don Boppero 3000

    Don Boppero 3000 DNALMQNLGLLMX!

    Jan 15, 2001
    The Fullerton Hotel Chicago
    Club:
    Club América
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    Replace baseball with Golf or a roller sport of some sort! IOC should just add bocce ball and HALO 2, only the CTF version.
     
  6. NGV

    NGV Member+

    Sep 14, 1999
    I doubt it's anti-Americanism, and it's definitely not an attempt to prevent the US from winning the most medals (there's only one medal for each sport and a gold for the US in baseball is hardly guaranteed - we didn't even qualify for the Olympics in Athens).

    Here's the list of current team sports in the Olympics: baseball, basketball, field hockey, handball, soccer, softball, volleyball, water polo. Of those, softball is clearly the least popular internationally, and baseball has a narrower international appeal than most of the others. Add in the fact that most prospective host cities don't have a suitable baseball stadium, and the fact that major leaguers don't play, and it's pretty clear why they'd consider dropping it.
     
  7. pylon

    pylon New Member

    Mar 28, 2004
    Chi-Det corridor
    This is too bad. I was looking forward to baseball in Regent's Park in 2012. Surely baseball has as much popularity internationally as ice hockey, yet there's no sign of that being dropped from the Winter games.

    All the more reason to have a true Baseball World Cup involving MLBers. We'll see how this World Baseball Classic works out.
     
  8. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    It sure as hell is anti-baseball. Can't wait to see synchronized swimming in 2012 :mad:
     
  9. michaec

    michaec Member

    Arsenal
    England
    May 24, 2001
    Essex
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Isn't Ice Hocky popular in the Scandanavian countries, Russia and Eastern European countries as well? Much more widely played/followed than Baseball or Softball surely?

    I'm sure they'll go with golf and rugby to replace them as they bring the most instant popularity of any of the proposed sports raising the profile of the games even higher, as if they need it.
     
  10. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    That's totally ridiculous. Numerous countries play baseball competitively. I just hope the World Baseball Classic works out.
     
  11. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow Red Card

    Feb 13, 2004
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Ice Hockey is pretty popular, but Baseball is also very popular around the World. Japan, Korea, USA, Cuba, Mexico, to name a few all have National Leagues that produce some damn good players. Really only in Europe and Africa are the only places that baseball does not do well. South America has baseball leagues, hell many MLB players play winter ball there. Taking Baseball off is a mistake.
     
  12. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    Baseball America's projected lineupes for the world cup (World Baseball Classic). Names of MLB teams are included where applicable.

    11 of the countries are serious about their baseball, while 5 are more marginal. The two European teams and South Africa are there to make it a WORLD cup.

    DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

    C—Miguel Olivo (Mariners)
    1B—Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
    2B—Alfonso Soriano (Rangers)
    3B—Aramis Ramirez (Cubs)
    SS— Miguel Tejada (Orioles)
    LF—Manny Ramirez (Red Sox)
    CF—Jose Guillen (Nationals)
    RF—Vladimir Guerrero (Angels)
    DH—David Ortiz (Red Sox)
    SP—Pedro Martinez (Mets)
    SP—Bartolo Colon (Angels)
    SP—Odalis Perez (Dodgers)
    SP—Daniel Cabrera (Orioles)
    RP—Francisco Cordero (Rangers)
    Manager: Felipe Alou (Giants)


    UNITED STATES

    C—Jason Varitek (Red Sox)
    1B—Todd Helton (Rockies)
    2B—Jeff Kent (Dodgers)
    3B—Scott Rolen (Cardinals)
    SS—Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)
    LF—Lance Berkman (Astros)
    CF—Jim Edmonds (Cardinals)
    RF—Gary Sheffield (Yankees)
    DH—Barry Bonds (Giants)
    SP—Roger Clemens (Astros)
    SP—Mark Prior (Cubs)
    SP—Ben Sheets (Brewers)
    SP—Mark Mulder (Cardinals)
    RP—Billy Wagner (Phillies)
    Manager: Bobby Cox (Braves)

    JAPAN

    C—Kenji Jojima
    1B—Nobuhiko Matsunaka
    2B—Tadahito Iguchi (White Sox)
    3B—Michihiro Ogasawara
    SS—Kazuo Matsui (Mets)
    LF—Kosuke Fukudome
    CF—Hideki Matsui (Yankees)
    RF—Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)
    DH—Norihiro Nakamura
    SP—Daisuke Matsuzaka
    SP—Koji Uehara
    SP—Hideo Nomo (Devil Rays)
    SP—Tomo Ohka (Nationals)
    RP—Shingo Takatsu
    Manager: Sadaharu Oh

    KOREA

    C—Seung-heun Hong
    1B—Seung-yeop Lee
    2B—Kyung-hwan Ahn
    3B—Dong-soo Kim
    SS—Sae-wan Hong
    LF—Joon-hyuk Yang
    CF—Jeong-bum Lee
    RF—Jong-soo Shim
    DH—Hee-seop Choi (Dodgers)
    SP—Jae-weong Seo (Mets)
    SP—Chan-ho Park (Rangers)
    SP—Myung-hwan Park
    SP—Min-tae Chong
    RP—Byung-yung Kim (Rockies)
    Manager: Jae-park Kim

    PUERTO RICO

    C—Ivan Rodriguez (Tigers)
    1B—Carlos Delgado (Marlins)
    2B—Jose Vidro (Nationals)
    3B—Mike Lowell (Marlins)
    SS—Alex Cora (Indians)
    LF—Alexis Rios (Blue Jays)
    CF—Carlos Beltran (Mets)
    RF—Jose Cruz Jr. (Diamondbacks)
    DH—Javy Lopez (Orioles)
    SP—Javier Vazquez (Diamondbacks)
    SP—Joel Pineiro (Mariners)
    SP—J.C. Romero (Twins)
    SP—Kiko Calero (Athletics)
    RP—Roberto Hernandez (Mets)
    Manager: Jose Cruz Sr. (Astros)

    CUBA

    C—Ariel Pestano
    1B—Danny Miranda
    2B—Yulieski Gourriel
    3B—Michel Enriquez
    SS—Eduardo Paret
    LF—Frederich Cepeda
    CF—Carlos Tabares
    RF—Alexei Ramirez
    DH—Eriel Sanchez
    SP—Norge Vera
    SP—Vicyohandri Odelin
    SP—Adiel Palma
    SP—Danny Betancourt
    RP—Pedro Luis Lazo
    Manager: Higinio Velez

    TAIWAN

    C—Chun-chang Ye
    1B—Chia-hsien Hsieh
    2B—Chung-yi Huang
    3B—Tai-shan Chang
    SS—Ching-lung Hu (Dodgers)
    LF—Chin-feng Chen (Dodgers)
    CF—Chih-yuan Chen
    RF—Kan-lin Huang
    DH—Cheng-min Peng
    SP—Chien-ming Wang (Yankees)
    SP—Chi-Hung Cheng (Blue Jays)
    SP—Chih-chia Chang
    SP—Ming-chieh Hsu
    RP— Chin-hui Tsao (Rockies)
    Manager: Sheng-ming Hsu





    VENEZUELA

    C—Ramon Hernandez (Padres)
    1B—Edgardo Alfonzo (Giants)
    2B—Cesar Izturis (Dodgers)
    3B—Carlos Guillen (Tigers)
    SS—Omar Vizquel (Giants)
    LF—Melvin Mora (Orioles)
    CF—Bob Abreu (Phillies)
    RF—Miguel Cabrera (Marlins)
    DH—Magglio Ordonez (Tigers)
    SP—Johan Santana (Twins)
    SP—Carlos Zambrano (Cubs)
    SP—Freddy Garcia (White Sox)
    SP—Kelvim Escobar (Angels)
    RP—Francisco Rodriguez (Angels)
    Manager: Ozzie Guillen, White Sox

    CANADA

    C—Pete LaForest (Devil Rays)
    1B—Justin Morneau (Twins)
    2B—Pete Orr (Braves)
    3B—Cory Koskie (Blue Jays)
    SS—Danny Klassen (Astros)
    LF—Jason Bay (Pirates)
    CF—Aaron Guiel (Royals)
    RF—Larry Walker (Cardinals)
    DH—Matt Stairs (Royals)
    SP—Rich Harden (Athletics)
    SP—Erik Bedard (Orioles)
    SP—Jeff Francis (Rockies)
    SP—Ryan Dempster (Cubs)
    RP—Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
    Manager: Ernie Whitt (Blue Jays)

    MEXICO

    C—Miguel Ojeda (Padres)
    1B—Guillermo Velasquez
    2B—Jorge Cantu (Devil Rays)
    3B—Vinny Castilla (Nationals)
    SS—Alfredo Amezaga (Pirates)
    LF—Mario Valenzuela
    CF—Luis Garcia
    RF—Karim Garcia
    DH—Erubiel Durazo (Athletics)
    SP—Esteban Loiaza (Nationals)
    SP—Oliver Perez (Pirates)
    SP—Rodrigo Lopez (Orioles)
    SP—Elmer Dessens (Dodgers)
    RP—Luis Ayala (Nationals)
    Manager: Fernando Valenzuela

    PANAMA

    C—Einar Diaz (Cardinals)
    1B—Olmedo Saenz (Dodgers)
    2B—Jose Macias (Cubs)
    3B—Damaso Espino (Royals)
    SS—Vicente Garabaldo
    LF—Carlos Lee (Brewers)
    CF—Ruben Rivera
    RF—Fernando Seguignol
    DH—Julio Zuleta
    SP—Bruce Chen (Orioles)
    SP—Roger Deago (Padres)
    SP—Ramiro Mendoza (Yankees)
    SP—Len Pecota
    RP—Mariano Rivera (Yankees)
    Manager: Omar Moreno


    SOUTH AFRICA

    C—Willem Kemp
    1B—Nick Dempsey
    2B—Paul Bell
    3B—Jonathan Phillips
    SS—Brett Willemberg
    LF—Jason Jonathan
    CF—Jason Cook
    RF—Ian Holness
    DH—Adrian Langeveldt
    SP—Barry Armitage (Royals)
    SP—Bruce McCleland (Royals)
    SP—Tyrone Lamont (Mariners)
    SP—Carl Michaels
    RP—Darryn Smith
    Manager: Raymond Tew


    NETHERLANDS

    C—Chairon Isenia
    1B—Randall Simon (Devil Rays)
    2B—Evert Jan t'Hoen
    3B—Vince Rooi (Nationals)
    SS—Raily Legito
    LF—Eugene Kingsale
    CF—Andruw Jones (Braves)
    RF—Rikkert Faneyte
    DH—Sharnol Adriana
    SP—Sydney Ponson (Orioles)
    SP—Calvin Maduro
    SP—Alexander Smit (Twins)
    SP—Rob Cordemans
    RP—Ferenc Jongejan
    Manager: Robert Eenhoorn

    AUSTRALIA

    C—Dave Nilsson
    1B—Justin Huber (Royals)
    2B—Trent Durrington (Brewers)
    3B—Adam Morrissey (Athletics)
    SS—Glenn Williams (Twins)
    LF—Chris Snelling (Mariners)
    CF—Trent Oeltjen (Twins)
    RF—Brett Roneberg
    DH—Ben Risinger (Padres)
    SP—Chris Oxspring (Padres)
    SP—Grant Balfour (Twins)
    SP—Travis Blackley (Mariners)
    SP—Craig Anderson (Mariners)
    RP—Jeff Williams
    Manager: John Diebel (Phillies)

    CHINA
    C—Wang Wei
    1B—Chen Qi
    2B—Feng Fei
    3B—Zhang Wei
    SS—Zheng Yu Feng
    LF—Lin Xiao Fan
    CF—Sun Ling-feng
    RF—Yang Guo Gang
    DH—Liu Guang Biao
    SP—Wang Chao
    SP—Wang Nan
    SP—Zhang Jian Wang
    SP—Su Chang-long
    RP—Li Wei Liang
    Manager: Li Bin

    ITALY

    C—Carlos A. Patrone
    1B—Claudio Liverziani
    2B—Francesco Imperiali
    3B—Igor Schiavetti
    SS—Seth la Fera
    LF—Daniel di Pace
    CF—Daniele Frignani
    RF—Jim Buccheri
    DH—Jairo Ramos Gizzi
    SP—Jason Simontacchi
    SP—David Rollandini
    SP---Silvio Censale
    SP—Ilo Bartolucci
    RP—Juan Carlos Vigna
    Manager: Giampiero Faraone
     
  13. Calexico77

    Calexico77 Member

    Sep 19, 2003
    Mid-City LA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As a competitive fencer, all I can say is




    phew. . .
     
  14. topcatcole

    topcatcole BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 26, 2003
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There have been other times that added to it, but the Olympics kind of died for me the day the South Koreans blatantly awarded the Gold to their own boxer. If that didn't do it, choosing Beijing certainly did. Ted Turner had more vision than the entire IOC.
     
  15. HiJazzey

    HiJazzey Member

    Jan 29, 2002
    London
    Club:
    Al Ittihad Jeddah
    Baseball doesn't have worldwide appeal. Americas + Japan and Korea is hardly global.
     
  16. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I wouldn't call a handful of countries "numerous". I'm not sure they needed to drop it, though. It's probably about money, i.e. the expense of hosting it, and the lack of return. I don't know. Perhaps they can get more revenue from other sports, e.g. golf.
     
  17. Sine Pari

    Sine Pari Member

    Oct 10, 2000
    NUNYA, BIZ
    No softball ?

    This is nothing but anit-gay homophobia !



    ;)
     
  18. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Hey, at least you all get to finally appreciat Cricket.
     
  19. Foosinho

    Foosinho New Member

    Jan 11, 1999
    New Albany, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There are five Dutch players in MLB? Who knew?
     
  20. Ray Luca

    Ray Luca BigSoccer Yellow Card

    Feb 2, 2005
  21. DoyleG

    DoyleG Member+

    CanPL
    Canada
    Jan 11, 2002
    YEG-->YYJ-->YWG-->YYB
    Club:
    FC Edmonton
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    Let's see what's happened the the baseball venues since it became an Olympic sport.

    Barcelona: Now a soccer stadium

    Atlanta: Demolished

    Sydney: Rugby League stadium

    Athens: One permanent stadium and one temporary stadium.
     
  22. Sine Pari

    Sine Pari Member

    Oct 10, 2000
    NUNYA, BIZ

    I've been to a Cricket match

    Other than getting rip roaring drunk, it was the most boring time I've ever spent in my life
     
  23. Shurik

    Shurik New Member

    Nov 2, 1999
    Baltimore, MD
    Yeah, and IOC's long-running non-acceptance of lapta, gorodki, poddavki, chizh, chess and bandy is just a part of the US-led blatant anti-Russian campaign.

    Get a life. When it comes to international sports, baseball and softball are two pimples on an elephant's butt. Their admittance in the first place was an entirely US-appeasing move, just as is the case with snowboarding.
    Besides, when you admit two obviously unpopular sports, they should at least have the common decensy to show up with their best players. But, hey, if baseball is too good for the Olympics, why the hell should anyone care about it?
     
  24. topcatcole

    topcatcole BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 26, 2003
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    When will we get a REAL sport, NASCAR!! :rolleyes: That's where the big money is!!
     
  25. Coach_McGuirk

    Coach_McGuirk New Member

    Apr 30, 2002
    Between the Pipes
    There are fewer sport sin the Winter Olympics, and you are wildly underestimating hockey's appeal in Europe, especially in the Scandanavian countries.

    Besides, comparing ice hockey to baseball is like comparing Formula 1 to a snail race, as far as excitement goes.

    I would think Cricket might be added as a demonstration sport for the London games in 2012.
     

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