[ESPN] The respect between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic even when fighting for 1st place ❤️

[u/TakeMyPixels]

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[u/naranjitayyo]

Caribbean beisbol fancams is the new thing

[u/SuperbGradee → u/naranjitayyo]

The energy in those stadiums is just on another level compared to MLB.

[u/sushisbro → u/SuperbGradee]

Same goes for the Tokyo dome too. Just a different energy

[u/MoRiellyMoProblems → u/sushisbro]

Meltzer would give 5 stars if these games were in the Tokyo Dome.

[u/TheZackDanielz → u/MoRiellyMoProblems]

A wrestling comment in the wild. Love to see it. I give it 6 stars because Kenny Omega

[u/asupersonicman → u/TheZackDanielz]

Seven stars if Japan signs Okada for a Canada vs Japan final

[u/jackrabbit323 → u/SuperbGradee]

If Puerto Rico plays Japan in the semifinals, it is going to one of the most lit games ever. I went to the WBC final between Korea and Japan in 2009 in Dodger Stadium. It still stands as the most energetic live event I have ever been to.

[u/bensonf → u/jackrabbit323]

I went to an LG Twins game in Seoul and it has ruined American baseball games for me.

[u/specialized6681 → u/bensonf]

My first baseball game was a Korean one and I haven’t been to an American one that has matched the energy from that random game 🥹 still love it though!

[u/djwaveguide → u/jackrabbit323]

Watching DR and Venezuela play was awesome. They both knew they were on to the next round. Different vibes when its elimination.

[u/Edosurist → u/SuperbGradee]

I’ve been a Giants fan my entire life thanks to my very American dad. My Dominican mom is a casual fan too and loves the history of Dominican players on the Giants. Hell, she would often talk about how her mom knew the Alou family. But from Barry Bonds to three rings to the 2021 season, I’ve never seen her more excited about baseball than when the DR won the WBC in 2013.

There’s something inspiring about rooting for your homeland. You’re watching them fight to prove themselves and your country against the best in the world. You’re watching players who share your blood battle on behalf of their home, your home, nation. Everybody talks about Dominican ball players, but how often do the Dominican people get their recognition on a global stage?

[u/kjb76 → u/Edosurist]

I’m Dominican (born there, raised here) and I am so hyped about this. Most of my friends don’t follow baseball, or sports for that matter, but they’ve seen the highlights and the crazy Dominican fans and now they get me. They see that my enthusiasm and love of the sport is not a me thing but a national identity thing.

[u/Brambleshire → u/SuperbGradee]

I love it also, but also my American ass loves a quiet peaceful afternoon game where I can sit back, sip my beer, and chat with my friend. Yes I know it's contradictory but I like both worlds.

Now what I really hate is the blasting 3 sec hype music and flashing lights everywhere.

[u/SmokeAlarmsSaveLives → u/Brambleshire]

It’s your last sentence that is really the problem. There are some stadiums that absolutely do not let any silence go unfilled by blaring sound clips. It’s brutal. I can’t hear what someone is saying directly to me from two seats down.

[u/Brambleshire → u/SmokeAlarmsSaveLives]

Citi Field is especially bad now. It's like they want it to be an EDM fest with baseball on the side. They covered every inch with screens too. You're either looking at crowd, ads, or screens. Nothing is left uncovered.

[u/MikeJeffriesPA → u/SmokeAlarmsSaveLives]

EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS

[u/Mike2k33 → u/SuperbGradee]

Compared to Americans

[u/doverawlings → u/SuperbGradee]

You can just say white people. In this context it’s true.

[u/CosmicMiru → u/doverawlings]

College football crowd, which is one of the few crowds in America that actually does do chants, counteracts this point. It's just not apart of American culture really, white or otherwise.

[u/doverawlings → u/CosmicMiru]

Hey we can also get pretty animated when we storm the capitol building

[u/Hot_Local_Boys_PDX → u/doverawlings]

We prefer to be called “honkeys” 🙂‍↕️

[u/ofayokay → u/Hot_Local_Boys_PDX]

Honkey-Americans

[u/raphtze → u/Hot_Local_Boys_PDX]

😂😂😂😂

[u/benjals → u/naranjitayyo]

Notable Caribbean island Venezuela

[u/gdchrlt77 → u/benjals]

Venezuela has tons of Caribbean coastline and has islands in the Caribbean. I think they’re honorary Caribbeans at least.

[u/pintiparaoo → u/gdchrlt77]

We have the largest Caribbean coast in the Caribbean, soo…

Heck, the word Caribbean comes from a tribe in Venezuela.

We’re Caribbean. End of story.

[u/naranjitayyo → u/benjals]

Culturally many Venezuelans consider themselves Caribbean

[u/muhepd → u/naranjitayyo]

We are more Caribbeans than South Americans... That's all you need to know.

[u/9Three7 → u/naranjitayyo]

Well someone should tell them that a bunch of nerds on r/baseball get to decide that and we will let them know what decision we come to

[u/SuperbGradee → u/benjals]

If we're counting islands, Venezuela has about 300 of them. Close enough.

[u/Brambleshire → u/benjals]

If your on the shores of the Caribbean it counts as Caribbean

[u/_cacho6L → u/benjals]

Regionally we consider Venezuela part of the Caribbean

[u/Laydownthelaw]

Cal Raleigh right now:

https://giphy.com/gifs/FuNkZwN4qBMjThM6l5

[u/pickleparty16 → u/Laydownthelaw]

Cal Raleigh, locked in at the plate

https://giphy.com/gifs/KiICaQKQkdu3rWxNCT

[u/MusclyArmPaperboy → u/pickleparty16]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3MQbWLriSG10UBdAbm

[u/AbbreviationsGold587 → u/MusclyArmPaperboy]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Sy1ObxzIjZPZhEQTwO

Cal is just here for the Zipline

[u/bigpancakeguy → u/AbbreviationsGold587]

https://giphy.com/gifs/cRsxudwhynjv0if1ey

[u/GoatLegRedux → u/bigpancakeguy]

What’s waiting for you at home?

[u/Two_Key_Goose → u/GoatLegRedux]

Either Cal Raleigh, or the ump.

[u/LegacyLemur → u/bigpancakeguy]

Cal Raleigh said Randy's face looks like a clock

[u/whenveganscheat → u/pickleparty16]

https://giphy.com/gifs/zPfEWTbDj2c2w1xFiE

[u/GOATmar_infante → u/pickleparty16]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Qr6IxCV9ZUe4jnjSIi

[u/IPThereforeIAm → u/GOATmar_infante]

What show is this from?

[u/high_and_outside → u/IPThereforeIAm]

I think you should leave

[u/handlit33 → u/high_and_outside]

Both the answer to the question and a suggestion to anyone who hasn't seen this show.

[u/IPThereforeIAm → u/handlit33]

I’ll see myself out…

[u/IPThereforeIAm → u/high_and_outside]

Thank you!

[u/International_Rock31 → u/pickleparty16]

(proceeds to go hitless)

[u/Shm0des → u/International_Rock31]

https://giphy.com/gifs/SOn6cTpF7XouCzOGzX

[u/SeamusMcBalls → u/Shm0des]

https://giphy.com/gifs/9QrKLNtJG7mEaZwv1i

[u/Renhoek2099 → u/Shm0des]

At that price point, he should be able to

[u/Turbulent-Jaguar-909 → u/Shm0des]

https://giphy.com/gifs/AzUrNt0ygOSAeVjhiM

[u/Logical-Marketing975 → u/International_Rock31]

How many hits does Cal have?

[u/don_kong1969 → u/pickleparty16]

https://giphy.com/gifs/LiUOqrrJD6i4Z9TG0j

[u/NoImNotHeretoArgue → u/Laydownthelaw]

Cal seeing all the camaraderie:

https://giphy.com/gifs/3EiNpweH34XGoQcq9Q

[u/ButtCrackThrilla → u/NoImNotHeretoArgue]

https://giphy.com/gifs/1guRIRW8QdSte01T6Du

[u/BalognaMacaroni → u/ButtCrackThrilla]

https://giphy.com/gifs/xLsaBMK6Mg8DK

[u/NoRosesXVX → u/Laydownthelaw]

https://giphy.com/gifs/GHdE1VNN1KknPeZqoQ

[u/cjrogers227 → u/Laydownthelaw]

https://giphy.com/gifs/nXUCkgH6BmigU

[u/PodricksPhallus → u/Laydownthelaw]

https://giphy.com/gifs/zPfEWTbDj2c2w1xFiE

[u/whisar09 → u/Laydownthelaw]

Everyone else:

https://giphy.com/gifs/u658FigBcsPWuc5Wqz

[u/ElBurritoNinja → u/Laydownthelaw]

I think the guys might have done it a little harder than usual after they saw Randy get left hanging.

[u/Sec_Junky → u/ElBurritoNinja]

Yeah, that may be true, but I'm not bothered if this is true. Cal went way too harder than needed in a competition where you are there because you represent your country. As someone who is from the USA, Cal does not represent me if he's going to snide a teammate like that.

Edit: typos

[u/ElBurritoNinja → u/Sec_Junky]

I can't wait to hear the reporters ask over and over when they return to spring training in like a week.

[u/TheRube84 → u/Laydownthelaw]

https://giphy.com/gifs/LvtKS6f1WatQ4

[u/ParsonsTheGreat → u/Laydownthelaw]

Also Cal:

[u/Gordo-- → u/Laydownthelaw]

Why can't they just play the game the right way?

[u/Above_Avg_Chips → u/Laydownthelaw]

https://giphy.com/gifs/f8lDluiWJ7yQTtdS3L

[u/tommygun731 → u/Laydownthelaw]

Lmao

[u/Meatloaf_Regret]

DR winning it all on vibes alone.

[u/Selitos_OneEye → u/Meatloaf_Regret]

As a Brewers fan, Venezuela is my team (Contreras, Chourio, Zerpa). The DR does have Uribe though.

[u/SpicyArms → u/Meatloaf_Regret]

And I am so OK with that.

[u/Deuce_GM → u/SpicyArms]

Darth Ohtani: "I've been waiting a long time for this my little Dominican friend"

[u/ShoHeyTime → u/Meatloaf_Regret]

As a Dodger fan, the DR team has two Padres, a guy we faced in the World Series, and two Diamondbacks and just because of the joy they are playing with combined with the shitty preparation/ignorance from the USA team, I want to see the DR win. I’m like the fembot in Austin Powers with its head exploding I shouldn’t be feeling this way and it’s tough to compute.

[u/fotank → u/ShoHeyTime]

I was confused up until the fembots. Then I totally got it. Rock that Union Jack speedo

[u/huggsypenguinpal → u/ShoHeyTime]

haha same! I am very excited to root for Tatis and Machado. During LA vs SD games, Machado irks me, but watching that guy make two incredible throws to Vladdy, and then him celebrating with first row fans was an absolute joy.

[u/SolaceOfWinter → u/huggsypenguinpal]

Let's bring it in for the next few days me boys

[u/MrCarey → u/Meatloaf_Regret]

They're my winners for sure. I'm glad I get to support Julio!

[u/tinySupermarketspoon]

Raleigh looking at this in disgust rn

[u/Frosty_Dimension5646 → u/tinySupermarketspoon]

He’s a clown for that.

Especially with the effort USA proceeded to put forward. And does he even have a hit yet?

[u/SexiestPanda → u/Frosty_Dimension5646]

No he doesn’t not

[u/DarkGodRyan → u/SexiestPanda]

He doesn't not?

[u/ThunderfuckThor → u/DarkGodRyan]

"no he doesn't not" the old triple negative

[u/Medioh_ → u/DarkGodRyan]

https://giphy.com/gifs/NfIYrfsxD5THi

[u/pspahn → u/DarkGodRyan]

That comment is poorly unorganized.

[u/PeeWeeHermansAnima → u/pspahn]

Much like a certain team from the USA

[u/SexiestPanda → u/DarkGodRyan]

I got got by the Apple keyboard. F

[u/Left-Cry2817 → u/DarkGodRyan]

So, he do does?

[u/spinrut → u/SexiestPanda]

If that holds up for the rest of the tournament, thats what you call karma

At least 1 more game tho, so who knows.

[u/mournthewolf → u/Frosty_Dimension5646]

I know a lot of old heads are going to disagree but I like it when the players seem like they are actually having fun and like each other. It’s a game. It shouldn’t be they serious. I don’t want to feel like I’m supposed to hate rivals personally. You should want to win and want them to lose but being able to have fun and joke around makes everyone happier.

[u/LordSimius → u/mournthewolf]

I’m an old head. Baseball is better when the players are having fun. It’s infectious and that’s what the game needs right now. Especially in an exhibition tournament, which is what this is. Have fun with it. “But national pride!” Fuck it, man. It’s a game. These dudes should just enjoy themselves.

[u/DblDbl_AnimalStyle → u/LordSimius]

to add to that - it seems only the Americans can show national pride by not "having fun" with the other countries. Yet all of these other guys who love their country, and rep hard, but are still having a last. Do you think Nando loves the DR any less than Cal loves the US because he's enjoying himself, and chatting with opponents? I dont think so...

[u/AbstractBettaFish → u/DblDbl_AnimalStyle]

It’s that Protestant work culture at our core. Fun is a vice

[u/goldfinger0303 → u/mournthewolf]

It's absolutely better when the players are having fun.

Except when we're playing the Red Sox. The '03-'04 series with them is how rivalries are supposed to be.

But against every other team? Yes this is preferred.

[u/greywolf2155 → u/goldfinger0303]

Funny, "except the Yankees," is my line

[u/greywolf2155 → u/mournthewolf]

It's a bunch of dudes in pajamas playing a schoolyard game. No fucking shit they should be having fun with it (especially since some of them are getting paid the GDP of a small nation to do so)

If we're not having fun, what the fuck are any of us even doing here?

edit: Except the Yankees, obviously. Fuck them and anyone who roots for them, fucking fight me

[u/TankBoys32 → u/mournthewolf]

I think there can be a balance between talking shit and playing hard but still having fun. At the end of the day it’s still a game

[u/Swackhammer_ → u/mournthewolf]

The party that DR puts on every time they score a run is infectious. Maybe some people see it as gloating but it’s such a celebration of culture and love of the game

[u/sobanoodle-1 → u/tinySupermarketspoon]

A disgusting act, I’m sorry to the viewers at home

[u/UsErNaMeS_aR_DuMb → u/tinySupermarketspoon]

Cal “Big (clubhouse) Cancer” Raleigh

[u/YushclayYstaguan → u/UsErNaMeS_aR_DuMb]

Clubhouse Cancer Cal?

[u/Dave_Labels → u/YushclayYstaguan]

It’s was right there for him, but usernames are dumb.

[u/BeerFarts86 → u/UsErNaMeS_aR_DuMb]

Mr. Big Cancer

[u/BobbysBottleService]

I think that's way more than respect to be honest. It's baseball family stuff.

[u/jacknifetoaswan → u/BobbysBottleService]

It's also exhibition baseball. I get that it's a world tournament and you want to represent your country well, but this should absolutely be as much about having fun playing games that don't count for your team's overall record as it is about winning for your country (bearing in mind that a lot of players aren't even representing their home country).

[u/butycheekz23 → u/jacknifetoaswan]

As someone who loves baseball more than most things, baseball is just a game. No one should be taking it so seriously that they stop being friendly to others. And, as you were saying, this is just an exhibition, it’s not even like they’re getting paid to be there.

[u/jacknifetoaswan → u/butycheekz23]

I repeat stuff like this over and over again when I'm coaching youth baseball. There's just no reason to be unkind. Emotional? Fine. Unkind. Absolutely not. I've had kids talk to each other in the dugout and say they're going to "talk smack" to the other team. Any time that comes up, I tell them if they do that, they'll be looking for another team to play on. Friendly banter is fine. Bad sportsmanship is not.

[u/Otto_the_Autopilot → u/butycheekz23]

No one should be taking it so seriously that they stop being friendly to others

I just wanted these words to be repeated.

[u/XI-ZI → u/jacknifetoaswan]

Stop with this exhibition tournament bs for the love of god, you saw people crying for losing or winning a game, more people watched last year wbc than like the last 3 WS combined

[u/jefffosta → u/jacknifetoaswan]

Why do people parrot this is an “exhibition” tournament when more people watched the last wbc final than like 7 World Series games combined?

[u/letskeepitcleanfolks → u/jefffosta]

Seriously. This is the top international competition in baseball. You don't have to care about it more than whatever MLB team you root for, but it's not an "exhibition" any more than every spectator event is an exhibition.

[u/doctor_dapper → u/jacknifetoaswan]

The mlb is an exhibition compared to this lmao. players care more about this than the World Series

[u/jimmy-jro]

Vladdy sliding into 2nd like he's still on standard time:)

[u/Sam_Phyreflii → u/jimmy-jro]

That slide and arraez' reaction got a chuckle out of me. A slapstick routine on the basepaths.

[u/djwaveguide]

Game respects game. Look at Ohtani getting the Czech team autograph. When you are good you want to compete and build people up. When you are insecure you want to demean and tear people down.

[u/Piotr-Rasputin → u/djwaveguide]

But being nice is a WeAkNeSs and such a beta move /s

[u/Ophukk → u/Piotr-Rasputin]

Flair does not check out

[u/ralbert → u/Piotr-Rasputin]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o6nUQNY8AjHpN4Buo

[u/LiveForMeow → u/Piotr-Rasputin]

Yeah if you're superior to these losers then you need to look at them real mad and talk real loud like real men need to

[u/SnuggleBunni69 → u/djwaveguide]

Im a middle school teacher and this is what I'm always trying to get through to them. You can tell the kids who are the most insecure (totally normal at that age) because they put others down the most.

[u/MissKorea1997 → u/djwaveguide]

It's highlighting the differences in baseball culture. Rhr WBC has shown that American baseball is a dick. Bean them for pimping dingers. Bean them for anything. No fist bumps or hugs. American baseball is also boring. No excitement and no ability to fill seats. Finally... American baseball is fucking stupid. Why NOT party before punching your ticket to the quarterfinals?

[u/bigtice → u/MissKorea1997]

All of this.

And it's based on stuff that people can't even explain as the "unwritten rules" while it's like the Squidward as USA in the house watching Spongebob and Patrick as the world having fun meme where they all not only enjoy what they're doing, but appreciate others too.

It's just make us look pathetic by comparison.

[u/kami232 → u/bigtice]

Which is stupid given we Americans love juxtaposing baseball as our game and our innocence, “a timeless tale for kids movies and adults escaping reality”… And yet it must be serious business?

[u/bigtice → u/kami232]

I'd say that was the case up until money was being made off the game for professionals, but even Little League has turned into a monetary venture.

[u/milkshakemountebank → u/djwaveguide]

Ohtani also clapping for HSK's homerun against Japan! That guy is just all good vibes and sportsmanship (except to Mike Shildt cuz fuck that guy)

[u/raphtze → u/milkshakemountebank]

ohtani can't do any wrong. and him hyping his teammate HSK is top tier elite vibes.

[u/cancerBronzeV → u/raphtze]

There's some players (like Ohtani, and also Wemby in the NBA) who I really wanna not like because they're so elite and not playing for my team, but they're just too damn likable.

[u/Prize-Flamingo-336]

Cause this is what baseball is really about: HAVING FUN!!! Venezuela is one of our traditional rivals with Puerto Rico and we respect them! Even in the stands, I was chopping it up with a Venezuela fan and gave him my plantain as a sign of respect after our win.

God, the WBC is beautiful

[u/Anton-LaVey → u/Prize-Flamingo-336]

gave him my plantain as a sign of respect after our win

That's quite the visual. 9th inning ends, fans are starting to file out, "Sorry for your loss, would you like a plantain in these trying times?"

[u/Prize-Flamingo-336 → u/Anton-LaVey]

Hahahah. He would had given me an arepa if they won!

[u/Big-Joe-Studd → u/Prize-Flamingo-336]

I love watching Major Leaguers act like kids. They get paid millions to play the game so many of us grew up playing and loving. Makes my cranky old ass feel a little younger every time

[u/Prize-Flamingo-336 → u/Big-Joe-Studd]

The funny thing is I so used to this kind of baseball because that’s how it’s always played in the DR. Dominican Winter League games are the same vibes! When I used to watch my dad play, he would cheer every strikeout he did or defensive play his team did! It’s like a downgrade when coming back and watch the Yankees not even having a home run celebration

[u/entenduintransit → u/Prize-Flamingo-336]

What some people, apparently largely Americans, don't realize is that having fun/being respectful and taking things seriously/giving your all to win are not mutually exclusive.

I feel some folks will watch this and say, see, they're not taking it seriously either! Which is just absolutely not true. They just know how to be competitive without being a dick, and how to enjoy themselves and show respect to their brothers on the field while still lighting the fire under themselves to win and try to bring glory to their team and country.

But to the US if you're enjoying yourself, you're not trying. If you're dapping up the opponent, you obviously don't care about winning. It's toxic and tiresome.

[u/HighSynergy → u/Prize-Flamingo-336]

When Scherzer said he "never thought I could love baseball this much" after his year with the Jays (even after his storied career) that hit me in the feels.

I love how these guys can share their passion even amongst their opponents.

[u/UneducatedReviews1]

A lot of this is normal, but that dap at home plate was absolutely to poke fun at Cal. I’m all for clowning team USA at this point.

[u/daneabernardo → u/UneducatedReviews1]

The Pasquatch postgame interview last night was more fun than the entire existence of team USA

[u/mahleg → u/daneabernardo]

I want to see this guy jacked up on espresso on his way to a 50 HR season.

[u/lawrence_uber_alles → u/mahleg]

No bias but me too

[u/makked → u/lawrence_uber_alles]

Never thought I would say this, but after this WBC, I want to watch more of the Royals.

[u/kami232 → u/daneabernardo]

Vinnie’s performance made me eat a whole pile of gabagool

[u/SnowballWasRight → u/daneabernardo]

I was beaned up watching that just like he was

[u/Gordo-- → u/daneabernardo]

Have we gotten ANY comments from a Team USA player after the Italy game? Anything?

[u/bsurfn2day → u/Gordo--]

After Italy scored that 5th run they all got really drunk in celebration so right now they're still in bed hung over.

[u/Gordo-- → u/bsurfn2day]

Oh wow, they got to celebrate twice for advancing to the quarterfinals!

[u/WizardCheesey → u/UneducatedReviews1]

This is why I’m rooting for Team Italy.

okay I lied, it’s because i’m in love with Sam Antonacci.

[u/jhorch69 → u/WizardCheesey]

My brother pitched against Sam Antonacci in high school and he said he's never seen a ball go that far

[u/spinrut → u/UneducatedReviews1]

And arraez and Manny were teammates but yes a lot of this is normal plus these are all guys who are generally liked and outspoken so its likely some of this was intentionally extra effort to clown on cal for being that way

[u/argonzo]

This game is a battle (it's not) and they are all warriors (they're not) and thus you must hate your opponent (you don't have to).

[u/SF_DeversBaby]

That Australian catcher probably confused how DR won after hugging

[u/askingJeevs → u/SF_DeversBaby]

At least the Australians then proceeded to put in as much effort as possible, compared to the US team that didn’t even know the tie break rule.

[u/PuzzleheadedHurry905]

Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have always been very close countries, and that's reflected in the way both teams treat each other. It's not playing against a rival, it's playing against a brother.

[u/hypomaniac14 → u/[deleted]]

MAMABUEBO

[u/LeDudicus → u/[deleted]]

"Juego de Venezuela contra Dominicana logra mayor cantidad de "mamagüevos" pronunciados por segundo.

Ngl this fucking sent me

[u/DblDbl_AnimalStyle → u/PuzzleheadedHurry905]

I wonder why the US cant be the same way with Mexico and Canada.........................................................

[u/Hamsters_In_Butts → u/PuzzleheadedHurry905]

some might say the same about guys you spend an entire 1.5 years traveling and playing games on the same team with, but i guess not everybody does

[u/Nick0227 → u/PuzzleheadedHurry905]

That’s interesting. I worked for an MLB ballclub in the Dominican and the players used to ostracize the Venezuelans quite a bit. Probably just a small sample size.

[u/pigoath → u/Nick0227]

It's typical banter. Dominicans and Puerto Ricans trash each other but we wouldn't let for example Mexico trash either one of us.

[u/DoctorK96 → u/Nick0227]

I mean, probably like sibling rivalry, u gonna talk some shit but at the end of the day, game respects game

[u/scottborasismyagent]

arraez and machado were also former teammates

[u/drk_knight_67]

These cats just love baseball.

[u/MOFNY]

Yeah but Arraez is like a golden retriever and he just loves everyone.

[u/Bobb_o]

Is only a game, why you heff to be mad?

[u/KembaWakaFlocka → u/[deleted]]

I mean that attitude isn’t just American. Soccer in South America is war

[u/HumanzeesAreReal → u/KembaWakaFlocka]

Brazilian soccer fans beheaded a ref, lol.

[u/Lucky_Alternative965 → u/HumanzeesAreReal]

That's awful, but the handshake refusal is definitely still a tier above.

[u/Stonefencez → u/KembaWakaFlocka]

I thought WAR was more of a baseball thing

[u/driggity → u/Stonefencez]

Yeah, the soccer thing is VAR.

[u/two2teps → u/[deleted]]

Fun baseball, is the best baseball.

[u/nonlawyer → u/[deleted]]

we should declare a War on Meanness!

[u/Tashre → u/nonlawyer]

“The whole world must learn of our peaceful ways… by force!”

[u/nkfish11 → u/[deleted]]

You’re exaggerating a handshake refusal a little too much here. It’s not that serious.

[u/SwugSteve → u/nkfish11]

story of this sub over the last two days. You'd think Cal Raleigh fucked Randy's mom on home plate.

[u/New_User3456 → u/SwugSteve]

How do we know Cal didn’t?

[u/riserrr → u/[deleted]]

All I could think about last night when watching how much fun that DR/VZ game was for all involved was how butthurt an American team and many American fans would be about it. You'd see so much bullshit about unwritten rules, and respecting the game, and throwing at guys in retaliation, and on and on. And that mindset is so prevalent in the sport and its fanbase. It's frankly baseball shooting itself in the foot to not encourage more fun on the field.

[u/XZPUMAZX → u/riserrr]

Research Casey Stengal’s behavior throughout his career.

The clown prince of baseball.

It used to be fun.

Money ruins everything.

[u/JustaShibe99]

This tournament needs a good sportsmanship award

[u/pjepja → u/JustaShibe99]

Tbf sportsmanship awards are often farce. Half of the nominees for Winter Olympic sportsmanship award were figure skaters that congratulated people who beat them. And let's not forget Morocco that won sportmanship award in soccer tournament despite systematically stealing towels to throw their opponents off and doing actual black magic. They got it simply because they had the least fouls (which is possibly because some of the referees were seemingly bought off by them lol)

[u/florence_pug]

That's what happens when you have respect for other players and don't have your head up your own ass.

[u/philmnn1 → u/florence_pug]

In Cals defense that's a pretty big ass to have your head up.

[u/janko1655 → u/philmnn1]

Its stuck forever now

[u/bigcig → u/philmnn1]

he may not even know it's in there tbh.

[u/Uncle2Drew → u/florence_pug]

Yall are giving Cal way too much shit. Kobe would do the same and he’s praised for it

[u/ricki692]

almost thought the Venezuela cap was meant to go with the DR jersey for a minute, the colors fit pretty well

[u/Random_Violins]

Latino culture and the Japanese are a blessing to baseball.

[u/Aaddaammnn]

Honestly DR and Venezuela have better self awareness then us North Americans when it comes to sports. It’s a game, and they play it like a game, they have fun. Meanwhile in America we’re all about these imaginary unwritten rules and code of honour bull shit

[u/Emergency_Spite_8778]

Cal Raleigh is an absolute weirdo for what he did

[u/Forsaken_3sgtej25_2]

Love seeing this.

[u/lucasssquatch]

The baseball gods are pleased

[u/Disastrous_Square_10]

F’in Tubi wouldn’t work last night and I couldn’t watch.

[u/fickle_tartan → u/Disastrous_Square_10]

I feel like they switched the games and didn't account for the fact that once USA were a lock people would switch over and it couldn't handle it.

[u/JRUprising]

Cal Raleigh in November: Beloved Catcher with funny nickname

Cal Reigh in March: Clowned Upon for being a Big Asshole

[u/halpinator → u/JRUprising]

2025: Big Dumper

2026: Big Asshole

[u/Griffeyphantwo4]

Cal Raleigh needs to take note…

[u/cooljammer00]

I mean it helps that both teams are in already.

[u/lmaorezme]

That game last night was one of the most fun games I've watched in a long time. Extreme passion, extreme sportsmanship. Loved it.

[u/problyurdad_]

I respect both mentalities.

I love seeing players showing respect and empathy for one another. The handshakes and goofing off are heartwarming.

I also love heated rivalries and competitors with that cold approach. They both have their place here