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By the time most bauxites wake up on Monday morning, Canada will have either lost to or (more likely) defeated Italy in the second game of their quest for the gold. Jason Dickson gets the start for the red and white.

Canada played solid baseball in downing Chinese Taipei, winning 7-0. The game story from CBC/Canadian Press provides some of the details. TSN has a more detailed game story.

And here's the BOXSCORE! from the official site of the Olympiad.



AAA mainstays Pete Orr, Pierre-Luc (Pete) Laforest and the incomparable Stubby Clapp each drove in two runs. Leftfielder Jeff Guiel was the defensive star with two assists - one to cut down an opponent trying to stretch a single and another (with the relay by shortstop Danny Klassen) to get a runner trying to score on a double that short-hopped the wall. Here's a nice picture of Stubby after the tag out. Guiel also singled and doubled.

Mike Johnson tossed 7 scoreless innings, allowing but four hits. Chris Mears and Aaron Myette mopped up to preserve the shutout.

Taipei committed 4 errors, which ruined a solid performance by starter Chih Chia Chang of the Seibu Lions (Japanese League). Chang went 6 innings striking out 9, allowing 3 runs only 1 earned.

Italy, Canada's next opponent, were blasted by Japan 12-0, after the mercy rule was invoked (game stopped if one team is leading by more than 10 after 7 innings or later). More info on Japan-Italy and Cuba's 4-1 victory over Australia. Here is a piece on two Aussie Olympians: former Blue Jay Graeme Lloyd and former Brewer Dave Nilsson.

Baseball "powerhouse" the Netherlands handed Greece their hats, winning 11-0 and limiting Hellas to two hits. The New York Times has the story behind the Greek team. Who is the biggest name on the Greek side? Why, Clay Bellinger of course! Clay's great grandmother was born in Greece.

Canada's Olympic Baseball Dream: Game 2, vs Italy | 80 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_Mike Forbes - Sunday, August 15 2004 @ 11:38 PM EDT (#41987) #
When is the game? I'd like to watch it since I have little to do tomorrow.
robertdudek - Sunday, August 15 2004 @ 11:44 PM EDT (#41988) #
The game starts at 11:30 AM local time, which I believe makes it a 4:30 AM start in the Eastern time zone. I think you'll be able to catch some of the game on TSN.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:31 AM EDT (#41989) #
Alright, thanks Robert.

Looks like I'll have to rely on MVP Baseball to keep me awake until then...
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:43 AM EDT (#41990) #
Mr. Forbes, allow me to ask you this question since no one is really posting right now and I noticed you also share a passion for MVP baseball.

Is there anyway to unlock the classic players without them showing up on the free agency list in dynasty mode? Because Im getting mighty sick and tired of the Dodgers assembling the greatest players in the history of the game on their team.
_DaveInNYC - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:49 AM EDT (#41991) #
Jobu, I'll help you out here.

When starting up a dynasty, you have to scroll down and underneath "use default rosters" it should say something like "allow classic players"

Make sure that you turn that off and all of the classic players won't be allowed in the dynasty mode.

That should help.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:05 AM EDT (#41992) #
Hey, Thanks Dave!

I already got two seasons in the books so Im too attached to start from scratch, but I'll remember that when I start a new season when all the real players retire.

In case anyones interested (which I doubt but I have nothing better to do) this is the line up for the LA Dodgers in 2007 for MVP baseball. I swear to you all that I did not put these players onto the Dodgers (save for their SS who they recieved in a trade from me) nor am I exagerating.

1B: Gehrig
2B: Cora
3B: Beltre
SS: Woodward
RF: Ruth
CF: Yount
LF: Encarnacion
C: I. Rodriguez

Bench:
Stargell, McCovey, Mondesi

SP: Niekro
SP: Jenkins
SP: Cy Young
SP: Ishii

Bullpen by commitee. No one famous.

Funny yes? Annoying when you play them for the world series? Definatly.
_DaveInNYC - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:15 AM EDT (#41993) #
No problem Jobu.

That's some lineup the Dodgers have right there (save for Woody and Encarnacion)

I started a fantasy dynasty with the Mariners (randomly picked a team) after I did a real dynasty with the Jays and won the World Series in 2008. My team is comprised of prospects, prospects, and MORE PROSPECTS!!

I'm telling you, when doing a dynasty try and trade for a 1B prospect named Sheldon Regnier. He's an absolute monster in the game and he always posts a +400 OBP for me.

And I'd just like to mention that MVP does a great job of capturing Safeco in that game, that stadium is definitely the nicest in the league... except for Skydome of course :)
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:17 AM EDT (#41994) #
See, now this is funny. I was just at a store today while on vacation (that sounds weird...I assure you that I am able go to any store, regardless of my vacation situation) and I almost bought MVP 2004. Now I read about Jobu playing the Super Dodgers on the same game.

Is it worth the money? Or should I wait until '05 comes out?

And I'm glad to see I'm not the only wacko staying up until 4:30 to watch Canada vs. Italy.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:19 AM EDT (#41995) #
Since I have tons of time on my hands right now, I'm gonna post my Toronto Blue Jays dynasty lineup... Its heavily modified..

Lineup:

LF: Johnny Damon
2B: Jose Reyes
CF: Vernon Wells
DH: Carlos Delgado
1B: Josh Phelps
RF: Austin Kearns
SS: Angel Berroa
3B: Michael Barrett
C: Toby Hall

Bench:

Orlando Hudson, Some Davis Guy, Kevin Cash, Ivan Ortiz.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:31 AM EDT (#41996) #
And after my computer crashed..

Rotation:

RHP: Roy Halladay
RHP: Mark Prior
RHP: Matt Clement
LHP: Ted Lilly
LHP: Oliver Perez

Bullpen:

CP: Tim Spooneybarger
SU: Justin Speier
SU: Miguel Batista
LRP: Some Triple A Guy
LRP: Ryan Drese

My bullpen looks weak but Spooneybarger actually has an 1.00 ERA through 62 games.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:33 AM EDT (#41997) #
Mike F: Would you recommend MVP 2004 to a fellow Bauxite? I need a new baseball game; my All-Star Baseball 2004 is starting to annoy me. Also, it's just too damned easy.

When DeWayne Wise posts a .300/.400/.500 line on the hardest difficulty setting, it's time to find a new game.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:35 AM EDT (#41998) #
Dave: I actually traded Woody to the Dodgers in a very funny story. Syracuse needed a new 1stbaseman, before the Dodgers signed all the superstars (for some reason, i just thought they wouldnt get signed) I put Ruth in AAA to fill space and make me chuckle. Then I tried to trade Ruth to the Dodgers for gagne and they refused. So I offered Ruth and Woody and they magicaly accepted. Not only is the trade funny that they were holding out for Woody, it also makes it the funniest line up ever with the best ever on the field and on the bench, and Woody as starting SS.

What team can i find this Regnier fellow on?

Rob: Id have to say get the game now, but thats only b/c i cant picture myself without this game. I have almost every sport title EA makes yet 95% of my PS2 time is devoted to this game. It constantly amazes me. As Dave said the stadiums are surreal, player animations (to specific players) spot on. Incredible game play. I cant say enough good things really.

I think I play the same way as Mr. Forbes. Modify alot of stuff and go nuts :)

While I didnt go the same extent as you. My Jays are almost exactly the current Jays save for a character I made called Little Matsui who is the fastest, best fielding, and best batting for average SS in the leauge (and is remarkably short). I turned Sparky into an abolutle monster trhough player edits, and I brought Nolan Ryan and Gagne to the team. Other than that its almost verbatim.

Come one and all, disucss MVP until olympic baseball begins! :>
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:44 AM EDT (#41999) #
You know you're a devoted fan of baseball when you stay up until 4:30 to watch a game featuring a team with a bunch of AAAA and retired players, and an entire team of Italian players you have never heard of and will never see again...and you talk about a baseball video game you have never played with people you have never met at 1:38 in the morning!

(And you're planning on keeping score during the game...that should be fun, trying to fit Davide Dallospedale and Giovanni Pantaleoni onto the scorecard.)
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:46 AM EDT (#42000) #
Rob, I think you'd love MVP Baseball and as Jobu said, it is absolutly addictive! I play atleast 3 games before I go to bed. The indepth Dynasty Mode definetly stands out above any other Baseball franchise I've played. The Home Run Showdown is a nice change of pace from the overused "Homerun Derby" and The Pitchers Showdown is a good way to kill some time. The graphics are very good and while the game isn't overally hard, it can be challenging.

My advice is to pick it up.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:55 AM EDT (#42001) #
Oh yes, certainly challenging. I'll be honest, when I play video games, especialy sports games I like to go into the game knowing I have about an 80% chance of winning. Some people like to crank games to the hardest level, sweat it out, through their control down in anguish, but me, I like to just take it easy and play a game for pure fun. The game comes with 4 difficulty levels Rob: Easy, Pro, All-Star, and MVP. Im an odd one, in that when I play I pitch on MVP then pause the game and switch to Pro when I bat. This is the perfect level of difficulty for interest and game confidence for me. Pitching is easy to dominate in with practice and playing smart. Hitting can also be dominated with practice and patience, but I got bored of winning games 1/2 - 0 on MVP so I bat on pro and hit alot more balls and have more fun myself games usualy being around 7 - 2 for me. There's also many sliders so you can adjust very specific difficulties in the game, but I myself have yet to find the setting that alows me to keep the game on MVP and not have to focus like a ninja just to get a run per game.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:01 AM EDT (#42002) #
Well, I might just have to buy it somewhere. If only there was a Wal-Mart open at 2 am...and if only I had my PS2 here with me...damn that suitcase, with its finite volume.

I just read the Gamespot review of MVP. Now I really want it.

Some questions:
Does it actually have the New Hampshire Fisher Cats? That is just neat.
What's with the text-based sim in franchise mode? Can I still play through all the games?
Is there some kind of lefty-righty split stat available?

Answer away, gentlemen. You still have 149 minutes until the game starts. :)
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:03 AM EDT (#42003) #
I like your way of playing with the difficulty, Jobu. I personally find batting abit easier than pitching though. When I played on Pro I scored upwards of 20 runs a game. On All-Star I usually score around 5.. It only seems I'm good with certin pitchersthough.. I had to trade away Josh Towers because he was 3-5 with an ERA in the low 6's.. But Matt Clement on the other hand is 12-0 with a 0.48 ERA.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:07 AM EDT (#42004) #
I shall do my best:

Yes it certainly does have the Fisher Cats and all the AA teams, only problem is it doesnt have actual players from the Fisher Cats or their real stadium. But still very cool.

You can play through all the games of course. Text based sim is pretty much like a "manger mode" so you can sim games faster without controling players. When you're team is pitching you select "Pitch Batter" "Pitch around" etc. When you bat you choose "Swing Away" "Bunt" "Hit and Run" "Steal"... etc. Eventually making each game you play in this mode about a minute and a half. Especially useful considering you might not want to play the AA game and AAA game and MLB game every single day. And if you do, damn you're a gamer!

As for that particular stat I do not know. Never been much of a stat head in real life or this game (as I said, I play for fun) but Im sure another happy owner will hlep you there. Feel free to ask away more questions as it is painfuly clear now that I have no life :)
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:12 AM EDT (#42005) #
Mr. Forbes, just speaking from my own experience I know that pitchers with shorter windups always seem to give me a little more trouble than pitchers with long wind ups. Not a stagering difference as I have gotten pretty nifty with the pitching (and just so im not looking like a bragger I'll freely admit Im mediocre at best when it comes to batting). Just a guess. I dont know Clements delivery off the top of my head but I know Towers was pretty quick. I am hoping to work my way up to All-Star hitting soon though. Im a little weary of messing with the sliders and possibly influencing gameplay in wierd ways.I just strike out too often, especialy on changeups low and out the zone. They look like such meatballs coming in and I swing right through everytime.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:13 AM EDT (#42006) #
Its only 2:10am on a Monday morning.. We're only on the internet talking with complete strangers.. But its about a great Ps2 game!

Yeah... I think you're right... Lives are hard to come by!
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:16 AM EDT (#42007) #
I struggle against pitchers who have long windups and awkward deliverys... Tim Wakefield shuts me down everytime.. I just can't wait back on the knuckler.. And I do have the same problem as you, Jobu. I either nail an extra base hit or strike out. Changeups and curveballs throw me off all the time.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:16 AM EDT (#42008) #
Thanks, Jobu. I will ask more questions.
And I have less of a life than both of you, by the way. Come on, I'm on my vacation and I'm still posting here.

What's the deal with Barry Bonds? I remember my friend telling me he's not in the game.
Can I edit players completely? ASB 2004 doesn't let you change the age or position of any player. (You also don't get to choose the age of your created players, so Sparky became 39 years old.)
How long can the franchise go? I don't really care if I win the 2035 World Series with a bunch of players born after the game was created.

And yes, I would play out all the minor league games. I'm like that.

I don't have any other questions now, but there are two hours left, so don't think I'm done just yet. ;)
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:21 AM EDT (#42009) #
I'll try and help you out Rob.

Barry Bonds isn't in the game, Instead he's replaced by 31 year old rookie "Jim Dowd" who has Bonds-like attributes.

And No, there is a limit on your ability to edit pre-existing players.. Such as age, name, looks and batting/pitching style.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:23 AM EDT (#42010) #
..But you can completely edit minor league players.. So, if you got really bored, you could make the Fisher Cats and Skychiefs have their current rosters.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:23 AM EDT (#42011) #
Ask and you shall recieve:

Barry removed himself from the players union or something like that. As such his likeness can not be bought from the players union for games like every other player in the leauge. You have to pay Barry personaly to use his likeness. But as always EA sneaks in doppelgangers of hold out players who have the same skill ratings but look different and have different names. They did it with Ronaldo in soccer making him "Calcio". And there's a certain white guy on San Fran in the game named Jon Dowd who I think you'll have no problems hitting with if you catch my drift ;)

On players you make you can change pretty much EVERYTHING about them, including walk up music! You can also mess with real players ratings although I dont think you're allowed to change their ages for some reason. Created players tend to regress heavily downward after each season so you have to go in a boost them back up each year (if you made super players).

2035? Hell, you can play till 2124!!!! So after 20 seasons you can either re name all the generic people on your team after the people on your softball team, or just start a new dynasty as I will.

I just rememberd the eye appointment I have in 6 hours so i probably shouldnt stay up for the game. But i'll talk some more MVP till I get sleepy :)
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:26 AM EDT (#42012) #
Sorry for the double info, Mr. Forbes posted a much more efficient set of answers while i was writting my long rambling ones :)

He's right on everything except chaning real players pitching and batting stances (sorry if that came out rude). I just know this off the top of my head because I gave Vernon and Sparky new stances and gave Towers the craziest old timey wind up I could find for no reason at all.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:28 AM EDT (#42013) #
Oh yeah, speaking of walkup music... The only thing bad about the game is the music in it! Except maybe two songs... "Robbers" by Home Town Hero and "Walkie Talkie Man" by Steriogram.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:35 AM EDT (#42014) #
2124? Wow, what is the point of a 120 year franchise?

120 x 162...19440 games without counting minor leagues or playoffs. And even if each game only takes a half hour to play...that's 405 days of straight PS2 for the entire thing. Wow.

This game sounds - to borrow my cousin's phrase -- "super wicked."

I've run out of questions. "I am speechless. I have no speech." Now I have no way to spend the next two hours. :)
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:36 AM EDT (#42015) #
Lol, My bad, I didn't think you could altar stances Etc but I guess i'm wrong, nothing new there!
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:37 AM EDT (#42016) #
Yeah, as opposed to all their other games which usualy have one or two big bands in the soundtrack, they made a point of getting all unknowns for MVP. Although its funny to hear "Walkie Talkie Man" and "My Coco" on edge 102 latley and subconciousnly start to think im at home playing the game while Im driving, the songs are so woven into my brain.

How many bonues did you unlock Mr. Forbes?
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:38 AM EDT (#42017) #
Thats okay Rob, you can tell us your dream Toronto lineup in the game or something like that! I need something to read!
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:40 AM EDT (#42018) #
Probably A stupid question... but..

Bonuses as in secret players, jerseys and stadiums?
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:41 AM EDT (#42019) #
All of the above. You dont have to cite specific examples if you got alot, just a rough estimate. Im just curious if you get any "secret" bonuses when you unlock a whole set because Im only about half done.
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:46 AM EDT (#42020) #
This won't take long, everytime I unlock players it never saves which makes me mad.. So I only have 3 players that my friend unlocked, Peewee Reese, Honus Wagner And Phil Neikro. I have most of the stadiums except The Astrodome and two others and I have some assorted jerseys unlocked.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:49 AM EDT (#42021) #
I wonder if I could hack into the MVP CD and digitally insert the O-Drum into section 518...
_Ron - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:52 AM EDT (#42022) #
I got MVP Baseball 2004 AND All-Star Baseball 2005.

I'm a vid Sports Junkie. I'm lucky I get all my EA games for free.

I just bought Action Replay so I could dl updated rosters so I deleted my own updated rosters and then I find out my AR memory card doesn't work with the MVP file I have ... arghhh..

and the problem is that I've already moved onto ESPN NFL 2k5 (incredible game).

In MVP I get killed in Pro mode even when I turn down Comp contact and jack up my OF speed. There's also a funky glitch in Fenway Park where if you hit it to the Centre by the OF wall the player gets stuck without being able to pick up the ball, inside job everytime. Also there is a lefty bug that really limits Left Handed batters from hitting dingers.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:54 AM EDT (#42023) #
Wow, that sounds aggrivating Forbes. I got about half of each catgeory done, looking forward to unlocking the players even if they're going to be distributed in my dynasty leauge.

Rob, first you gotta get used to how nice the Dome looks in the game when its full everygame!

We should just make a permanent side thread where people can post questions and talk about MVP :)
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:58 AM EDT (#42024) #
Yeah, I feel kinda bad filling up an Olympic game thread with video game talk. I suppose it's not bothering anyone, but if someone wants to read through the accounts of the game, they have to scroll past all this.

Oh well. Up go our BBA's. :)
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:00 AM EDT (#42025) #
Ron: I havent found that Fenway glitch yet but I certainly want to try and find it now.

When you're getting shelled on MVP, is your problem hitting the green contact zone, or you're getting it right but your pitches are still getting hit some how. Maybe its just my game but as long as I keep hitting the green zone I just cruise in MVP (sorry if that sounded like bragging, just seein if I can help).

I switched the defence to "assisted" from "manual" because I just got to annoyed with the seeming super slow and out of position OF.

And that lefty bug sure is real. I was almost tempted at one point to make King Carlos right handed just because I was getting annoyed at all the doubles he was hitting but low HR rates.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:01 AM EDT (#42026) #
Is there a way to fix this lefty bug?
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:03 AM EDT (#42027) #
Other than switching them to right handed no ;)

Its not drastic like Carlos will hit 5 homeruns a year, but occaisionaly when you feel like you really tagged a ball and you go "oh that is gone!" (and it would be for a RHB) it falls in for a double.
_Ron - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:06 AM EDT (#42028) #
What channel is the baseball game on .. CBC or TSN?

It starts at 1:30am right (Vancouver time)?

I'm hitting the sack soon but I would like to tape it.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:07 AM EDT (#42029) #
No worries then. The game is still on my must-buy list.

Sigh...still an hour and 24 minutes to go...how long does it take you to get sleepy there, Jobu? ;)
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:07 AM EDT (#42030) #
I've seen the Fenway glitch, I hit a should've been double into the area in Fenway where the centerfield wall meets the mini rightfield wall and Tori Hunter (Playing for the Red Sox) got stuck and didn't get the ball long until I was headed for home.

And the Lefty Bug has made me make my team all righthanded hitters, except for Delgado.. who has 99 power but has only hit 5 homeruns so far in the season compared to Jose Reyes' (who has 59 power) 40 homeruns.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:08 AM EDT (#42031) #
TSN, Ron. 1:30 PT start.
_Jobu - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:14 AM EDT (#42032) #
If you REALLY want to fix the lefty bug you can just put in on easy for lefty batters and it should even out.

Damn, I really should try and force some sleep before my appointment tomorrow monring. Im just not tired b/c I rarely get to talk MVP, i was actually having alot of fun! Im gonna have to drag myself off now. Since no one will be talking about the game (maybe 7 posts tomorrow morning by the looks of last game) i encourage you guys to keep talking MVP and I'll read up what was discussed tomorrow monring before I leave. And by tomorrow night when this thread becomes dead, I'll come here and resume MVP talk unless a specific thread has been created, so I hope to hear all you guys back here tomorrow night!!

Goodnight and GO CANADA GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_Mike Forbes - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:20 AM EDT (#42033) #
Here's an idea for Da Box... Create a chatroom! It'd be far easier to watch peoples posts pop up as they're sent instead of refreshing every 5 minutes. It'd make for more social activity and it'd allow us geeks who're talking about video games at 3am to stop cloggin' up these threads!

So, In closing.

-Keep the threads
-Add a chatroom

I know you guys probably won't do it, and I can understand why, but please, atleast consider it.
_Rob - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 04:28 AM EDT (#42034) #
Well, I just had a nice little catnap, and it's game time. I don't have the TV in the same room as the computer, so if any Bauxites are awake, enjoy the game.
_IainS - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 05:30 AM EDT (#42035) #
Wow! This is just like little league!
_IainS - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 05:45 AM EDT (#42036) #
Through 3 innings, Can 9 Italy 1
_IainS - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 05:51 AM EDT (#42037) #
Italy just managed to get a run.. 9-2 Canada
_IainS - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 07:16 AM EDT (#42038) #
Italy managed to bring in one more in the top of the 9th to make it 9-3 for Canada.
Thomas - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 08:03 AM EDT (#42039) #
Italy's bullpen shut us out for 6 innings? That's not the greatest sign.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 08:42 AM EDT (#42040) #
Here is the boxscore from Canada 9 Italy 3. All I have to say is WORST. BOXSCORE. EVER.

Only in freaking Europe could they screw up a boxscore this badly. It looks like the work of someone who basically made it up as they went along. Geez, if they did this to a boxscore I shudder to think what they would have done to a cricket scorecard.

Oh, also, if they had the brains of a mollusc they probably would have put things in the player profiles like whether they were righties or freaking lefties!

Anyway, good game for Dickson who went 6 5 2 1 1 2. Italy made four errors and walked six, which is how you score nine runs on six hits. I agree with Thomas that an offensive shutdown (they had two in the first, seven in the second, and couldn't save the pen by bringing in the mercy rule) does not presage well for later games. Still, once you have nine all I ask is a good defensive performance, and they seemed to get it.

John Ogiltree of the Fisher Cats pitched the ninth and gave up a run on two hits.

I have to say that I'm not entirely happy with Ernie Whitt's lineups so far, though I suppose it's early and he's probably still experimenting. Danny Klassen is not really a #3 hitter; I know you want to manufacture runs but it seems to me he'd be better off hitting Betts or Radmanovich, or someone with some good power, at #3 and using Klassen as a sparkplug lower down in the order. If you have two slap-a-single-and-bunt-and-move-the-runner-over guys, why hit them one after the other?

The other thing is that Adam Stern should on no account be hitting ninth, he's much too good for that. I know you want to take pressure off the kid, but this is too much.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:00 AM EDT (#42041) #
Also, Jeff Guiel of the SkyChiefs went 1-for-4 with a run scored, playing left field and hitting 8th.
_Spicol - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:01 AM EDT (#42042) #
Danny Klassen is not really a #3 hitter

I suppose that, merited or not, this is what major league experience gets you on an Ernie Whitt team?
_6-4-3 - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:12 AM EDT (#42043) #
Two MVP notes: I started a Jays franchise, but did a Fantasy Draft. I wound up with Ruth, Cobb, and Niekro. Later I signed free angent Satchel Paige. After two seasons, I traded for Jackie Robinson. The legends are like crack for me, I need to play a real franchise, without them.

Side-note: The Lefty Glitch isn't all that bad. I hit around 70 homeruns wiht Ruth. It's a pain, but it's not impossible to get around. What's funny is that IMO, leftys hit fine most of the time, but righties have insane power. Andres Galarraga hit around 67 home runs for me. It got to the point where I was benching him, so that his stats wouldn't eclipse Ruth's.

My biggest, and funniest mistake, was signing Fred McGriff, in a wave of nostalgia that included The Hentgen. Whoops.
Thomas - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:14 AM EDT (#42044) #
I think they may be a tad overly-ambitious tracking triple plays alongside runs, hits, errors, double plays and left on base.

Terrible attendance; barely over 1,200 people present.

Where do the umpires come from? As in, I know they come from varying locations across the globe, but at what level do these guys umpire for a living? They're obviously not getting their American umps from the major leagues, but are they minor leaguers or college umps, etc....?
_Moffatt - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:23 AM EDT (#42045) #
I'm running behind so today's roundup won't be ready until 10. Sorry about that.
_6-4-3 - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:26 AM EDT (#42046) #
Is the attendance really surprising. No matter what the venue was (so long as it wasn't in Canada or Italy), Canada vs Italy in round robin baseball wouldn't draw well.
_6-4-3 - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:27 AM EDT (#42047) #
Oh yeah, last MVP note I meant to mention. In my draft season, budgets are tight, so Yogi Berra, Nolan Ryan, Juan Marical, and Rollie Fingers have never been signed. But Jeff Conine is still making thousands of points . . . in the minor leagues.
_Fozzy - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#42048) #
http://www.mvpmods.com/pafiledb/pafiledb.php?action=download&id=324
Are you guys playing MVP04 on the PC? If so, simply upgrading with the patch available at EA Sport's MVP site (they're up to the third patch now) will fix the lefty glitch.

As for rosters, again if you have PC (I think maybe even with other consoles as well it's been modded), you can download completely accurate and complete rosters for all of the teams from one of the several great mvp editing online communities. MVPmods.com is by far the best of them, and they have all of the files, plus a very lengthy and complete forum section for individual tweaks. These guys have modified everything from walk-up music to rosters to stadiums and faces and that annoying pop-up window when you whiff on a strike.

The best roster to get for PC, which has every player from the Majors down to AA, and a few even lower, is the TotalMinors roster set. You can get it by COMN.

I play on All-Star and have just won my second of two world series in a row, thanks to the rookies and rent-an-agent Mike Mussina. My line-up for year three is:

C John Buck
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Orlando Hudson
SS Mike Rouse
3B Russ Adams
LF Gabe Gross
CF Vernon Wells
RF Alex Rios
DH Josh Phelps

Bench: C Victor Valencia, Util Jorge Sequea, Util Glen Valesquez, OF Reed Johnson.

Rotation: Roy Halladay, Ted Lilly, Miguel Batista, Dustin McGowan, David Bush.

Bullpen: Vinny Chulk, Vince Perkins (who throws 97 after 2 years in the minors with a 12-6 slider), Erik Eckenstahler, Nick Neugebarger, Adam Peterson, Jason Frasor, Brandon League.

The great thing is with my rookies, I've still got almonst 9,000 points leftover, even after giving Delgado, Halladay, Wells and Lilly big raises. My minor league teams have also won their titles twice now. I love this game, especially with the PC mods that are out there, it's incredibly fun and quite a challenge.
Thomas - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 10:47 AM EDT (#42049) #
It's not really that suprising, but I did expect more than that. The Olympics have been drawing terribly for almost every event, and my comment was partially motivated by that fact.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:29 PM EDT (#42050) #
Holy crap, former Blue Jays 40-man makeweight Diegomar Markwell is pitching for Holland against Japan right now!
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:36 PM EDT (#42051) #
Taiwan beat Australia 3-0, so our win against them looks like it will really come in handy. Remember, only four teams make the final four. Holland-Japan is 1-1 after the first.

The Japanese practically have an All-Star team here.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:41 PM EDT (#42052) #
By the way, one note I should mention. All anyone is talking about at the baseball complex is the wind; apparently it makes Candlestick Park look like the rainforest. Apparently, the wind is also having something to do with the relative lack of offense... it's blowing mostly in.
_BCMike - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#42053) #
Remember, only four teams make the final four.

Thanks for pointing that out ;)
_Jabonoso - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:13 PM EDT (#42054) #
Craig, It is just normal for Holland to rely heavily on the Dutch antilles as they do in soccer. This is just a three team tournament with fodder (should take such qualifying games as training ) Cuba has lefty Palma waiting for semis ( Canada? ) My prediction is gold for Cuba. They have a good team and will beat Japan, either in semis or in the final. According to route taken Canada will make either the semis or the final so bronce or silver are there...
_Ron - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:19 PM EDT (#42055) #
Even though I don't really know the players it's nice to see Canada steamroll the opponent in the first 2 games. Hopefully they bring home the Gold.

Too bad MLB would never shut down like the NHL for the Olympics.

Team Canada could have a decent team:

Starting Rotation of: Harden, Francis, Loewan, Bedard, Hill
Bullpen: Quintrill, Gagne
Hitters: Walker, Bay, Stairs, Mourneau, Koskie, Guiel, Pond
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:35 PM EDT (#42056) #
You're welcome Mike! :) What I meant is four teams qualify for the medal round, which is a straight semifinal-final single-game elimination.

Cuba has lefty Palma waiting for semis ( Canada? ) My prediction is gold for Cuba.

Palma was the tricky lefty who shut Canada down in the Qualifying tournament, and he would be a handful as Jabonoso points out. However, who faces who in the semifinals will depend on standings in the round-robin. If Canada can finish 3rd (a win over Taiwan helps them a long way towards that goal) then they would face the #2 team, likely to be Cuba or Japan depending on the outcome of their game. If either Cuba or Japan hit a run of bad form (what I'm hoping for!) or Canada could pull out their game against either, one might finish fourth, and have them face each other in the semifinals - by far the
preferred outcome for Canada.

It is just normal for Holland to rely heavily on the Dutch antilles as they do in soccer.

Very much so. Former major leaguers Calvin Maduro, Eugene Kingsale (both from Aruba) and Ivanon Coffie (from Curacao) are mainstays of the Dutch lineup. Want a shocker? They are, right now, leading Japan 3-2 after the third inning. Go Holland!
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:40 PM EDT (#42057) #
In fact, Dutch leadoff hitter Ralph Milliard is also a former major leaguer from Curacao.
_Jabonoso - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:45 PM EDT (#42058) #
Where do you get updates, Craig ?
_Jabonoso - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#42059) #
For the world championship with major leaguers USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will stand in the own, with Cuba, Japan, Mexico and Canada looking upwards with not a big chance to upset them.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:05 PM EDT (#42060) #
Where do you get updates, Craig ?

www.athens2004.com
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 02:06 PM EDT (#42061) #
After the fourth, Holland still leads Japan 3-2. Cuba leads Greece 3-1 after 6.
_Brian W - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:00 PM EDT (#42062) #
Looks like Cuba won 5-4, holding off a late Greek rally. The Greeks scored 3 in the ninth, but couldn't finish the comeback.

Japan is now leading 4-3 over the Netherlands in the seventh.
_David Goodwin - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:17 PM EDT (#42063) #
Japan blows it open in the 8th, now leading 8-3.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:34 PM EDT (#42064) #
Yes, some poor unfortunate names Robin van Doornspeek was fed to the wolves. Both Greece and Holland did remarkably well in staying close in their games and these are the two teams Canada gets next. If the boys stay focused and bear down, they can be 4-0 going with an off day before the tough Japan-Cuba-Australia games to close out the round-robin. But even Greece and Holland won't be easy.
Craig B - Monday, August 16 2004 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#42065) #
Um... the weather chart measures the wind speed in metres per second. Oh yeah, that's helpful.

OK, upon conversion, those listed wind speeds are not high. Very odd.
_Jobu - Tuesday, August 17 2004 @ 12:48 AM EDT (#42066) #
well im finally home for the day, let any and all talk to MVP commence into the wee hours of the night.
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