The New York Times has some pretty fine sports photography, especially baseball. The article which goes along with this picture of Cuba's team preparing for the World Baseball Classic says:
The most fascinating and mysterious team participating in the World Baseball Classic sometimes practices at a field hockey stadium on a worn artificial surface while using a dozen smudged baseballs. No one removes the field hockey nets at each end of the field. The players easily work around them. They are outfitted in a collage of red, blue and white pants, jerseys and caps. None of the 30 players preparing for what they feel is a historic tournament are dressed identically. Naturally, these resilient players do not measure themselves on sartorial style.You hope for Cuba like you hope for any little guy and not like you ever hoped for the 1970s Soviet hockey teams. There is something so bare about baseball and something childish like having a hot dog unselfconsciously in front of thousands of strangers that makes it hard to imagine a Red Army style training camp creating the beauty. There is also that chance of surprise. Surprises like Korea beating Japan. With strong teams from the Dominican and Venezuela and with less than full support from the teams in Major Leagues Baseball like the "Yankess" there is a chance that this will not be a coronation of sorts.
Comments
Alan - March 6, 2006 10:16 AM
FYI: Cuba v. Puerto Rico Friday 7:30 pm EST. Second best game of the week after tomorrow afternoon's match between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
Don - March 6, 2006 10:33 AM
Did Cuba ask any of their MLB players to play?
Alan - March 6, 2006 10:38 AM
Did Pat Quinn coach in the Olympics? Hard to break sports from politics.
Don - March 6, 2006 11:03 AM
So I had to read the article to answer my own question as your smart arse response didn't. No they didn't.
So they think our Canadian players aren't going to play their hearts out because they also play for money.
Arrogant Cuban baseball snobs - I won't be cheering for them.
Alan - March 6, 2006 11:18 AM
I am only slave to your questions Tuesday to Thursdays. Read the contract.<p>I don't plan to cheer for them but I may have by jaw drop every once in an while.
Don - March 6, 2006 11:25 AM
Thinking it about it a wee bit more maybe they should consider whether the Cuban player would be more worried about an injury and lose his car, housing, and money and be kicked off the team to live like the rest of the Cuban working class.
Did you hear whether Larry Walker was asked to join Team Canada?
Don - March 6, 2006 11:29 AM
Keeping in the day's theme - I'll answer my own question.
Walker hurt himself and is on the coaching staff.
Alan - March 6, 2006 11:33 AM
I am really looking forward to Clemens. With any luck he will pitch against the DR.