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Imperialism32 · 05-14-2020, 11:00 AM

March 16, 1960

World Baseball Championship - Playoff Preview

Everyone who needed to take care of business on the final day of qualifying did so, and we have our final eight teams.

In Pod A, the host team South Korea appear to have gotten a very favorable draw thanks to some tiebreakers, getting Germany and Russia in their pod rather than the United States and Venezuela.

"None of these teams are pushovers, but we're really happy to be where we are," said starting pitcher Hyun-Koo Chai. He and rotation-mate Soo-keun Bae have been two of the early breakout stars on the national stage. They've combined for four starts, throwing 31 innings and allowing just 22 hits and 5 earned runs while walking 12 and striking out 28.

Not surprisingly, the other Pod A teams also see an opportunity. Led by third baseman Yevgeni Sarenko, the Russian squad is relishing their moment in the spotlight. He's been trying to keep his team grounded, though.

"A lot of guys are hyped to advance but I've been reminding them that we should be aiming higher. We won six of our seven games and we fought tough against Venezuela in the one loss [an 8-6 defeat] so we know we can play with anybody.

The elder statesmen of the German team, Daniel Zech, has already befuddled France and New Zealand and he's eager for more. He'll suit up for Berlin when the season starts in April, and he's already seemingly overcome with joy.

"It's really been a dream come true. When you think about where things were 10, 15 years ago to now... It's truly been incredible. I was 20 years old and thinking I might die out there in a war I didn't even agree with. So to be here representing my country in such a different way is just, it shows how special this game can really be."

Meanwhile Pod B might as well be re-named the Group of Death. It's also turned into a Western vs. Eastern Hemisphere battle, with two teams set to advance from each pod.

A relaxed Puerto Rico team, with their spot already clinched, dropped their final game to Panama. So no team made it unscathed through the qualifying round, but star slugger Luis Cueva made it clear he considers his team the favorite.

"I don't think it's arrogance," he said. "We were up there at 6-0 and let out foot off the gas because we could. That's not going to happen this round. Obviously there are some tough pitchers like C.J. Gorski and Vicente Acevedo in our pod, but we've seen these guys before in leagues here. The Asian and European guys we faced last round we hadn't seen as much, but I think we're better prepared this round.

Puerto Rico will face Gorski in game 1, but it's another US ace, Reggie Thurmond, that stole the show in the qualifying round. He dominated Poland and New Zealand, and while the will certainly be a step up in competition, he feels ready.

"I feel like I'm at the top of my game right now," the 30 year-old said. "Any lineup you put in front of me, I'm gonna mow down," he said.

Thurmond is in line to face the Dominican Republic in the third of three round-robin games. Upon hearing this quote, star outfielder Julio Gamez chuckled.

"He can think that, sure," he said. "But it's a different ballgame pitching against us than Poland and Zealand. I was in the stands for the New Zealand game, and no offense to them but he was throwing some hittable pitches that they just missed.

If the USA and Dominican Republic have some serious stakes to play for in that game, you'd better tune in because it could get spicy.

05-14-2020, 11:00 AM	#5
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	March 16, 1960 World Baseball Championship - Playoff Preview Everyone who needed to take care of business on the final day of qualifying did so, and we have our final eight teams. In Pod A, the host team South Korea appear to have gotten a very favorable draw thanks to some tiebreakers, getting Germany and Russia in their pod rather than the United States and Venezuela. "None of these teams are pushovers, but we're really happy to be where we are," said starting pitcher Hyun-Koo Chai. He and rotation-mate Soo-keun Bae have been two of the early breakout stars on the national stage. They've combined for four starts, throwing 31 innings and allowing just 22 hits and 5 earned runs while walking 12 and striking out 28. Not surprisingly, the other Pod A teams also see an opportunity. Led by third baseman Yevgeni Sarenko, the Russian squad is relishing their moment in the spotlight. He's been trying to keep his team grounded, though. "A lot of guys are hyped to advance but I've been reminding them that we should be aiming higher. We won six of our seven games and we fought tough against Venezuela in the one loss [an 8-6 defeat] so we know we can play with anybody. The elder statesmen of the German team, Daniel Zech, has already befuddled France and New Zealand and he's eager for more. He'll suit up for Berlin when the season starts in April, and he's already seemingly overcome with joy. "It's really been a dream come true. When you think about where things were 10, 15 years ago to now... It's truly been incredible. I was 20 years old and thinking I might die out there in a war I didn't even agree with. So to be here representing my country in such a different way is just, it shows how special this game can really be." Meanwhile Pod B might as well be re-named the Group of Death. It's also turned into a Western vs. Eastern Hemisphere battle, with two teams set to advance from each pod. A relaxed Puerto Rico team, with their spot already clinched, dropped their final game to Panama. So no team made it unscathed through the qualifying round, but star slugger Luis Cueva made it clear he considers his team the favorite. "I don't think it's arrogance," he said. "We were up there at 6-0 and let out foot off the gas because we could. That's not going to happen this round. Obviously there are some tough pitchers like C.J. Gorski and Vicente Acevedo in our pod, but we've seen these guys before in leagues here. The Asian and European guys we faced last round we hadn't seen as much, but I think we're better prepared this round. Puerto Rico will face Gorski in game 1, but it's another US ace, Reggie Thurmond, that stole the show in the qualifying round. He dominated Poland and New Zealand, and while the will certainly be a step up in competition, he feels ready. "I feel like I'm at the top of my game right now," the 30 year-old said. "Any lineup you put in front of me, I'm gonna mow down," he said. Thurmond is in line to face the Dominican Republic in the third of three round-robin games. Upon hearing this quote, star outfielder Julio Gamez chuckled. "He can think that, sure," he said. "But it's a different ballgame pitching against us than Poland and Zealand. I was in the stands for the New Zealand game, and no offense to them but he was throwing some hittable pitches that they just missed. If the USA and Dominican Republic have some serious stakes to play for in that game, you'd better tune in because it could get spicy.