Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Chris Robinson who was a catcher for the University of Illinois and played for Team Canada in this year’s Olympics, did a Q&A for the Chicago Tribune.
I was a bit puzzled by the Trib’s last question though.
Q: Cubs vs. Tigers, World Series. Who do you root for?
Umm, considering that Robbie is currently on the roster of the Cubs Double-A team, the Tennessee Smokies, I would hope he would choose the Cubs. Of course, he did.
Team USA will advance to the medal round after a 4-2 win over Chinese Taipai. Dexter Fowler had three hits including a double and a triple.
With the US win, Canada has dropped out of medal contention despite their 4-0 win over the Netherlands.
Team USA came from a 4-0 deficit to beat Canada Saturday. With the score 4-3 in the bottom of 7th, Terry Tiffee was the hero of the game with two doubles and two key rbis.
A tough luck loss for former Illini catcher Chris Robinson who is playing for Team Canada. He was 3 for 4 but with no runs or rbis.
It’s been a rough journey for Canada so far this Olympics. They are 1-3 and all three losses have been one-run losses. Despite their record, they have scored seven more runs than their opponents.
Team USA, however really needed this win. Going into this game with a 1-2 record, this gives them some hope.
Nix nixed
On some rather unfortunate news, Rockies prospect Jayson Nix is out for the rest of 2008 Olympic games due to a 1 1/2 inch gash above his left eyebrow. The injury is from a high and inside pitch/botched bunt in the game against Cuba.
Nix was expected to be recalled by the Rockies September 1. No word on whether this will affect his availability.
This morning at Wukesong Baseball Field in Beijing, the Chinese Baseball team won their very first Olympic baseball game. The manager who got the job done?
Jim Lefebvre. That’s right, the former 8-year MLB infielder and manager of three MLB team (including the Cubs). While Lefebvre didn’t have remarkable success in the bigs (he never finished abouve 4th place), he seems to be enjoying his hero status today after defeating Chinese Taipei 8-7.
From the Canwest News Service:
"Ecstatic Chinese players poured from the dugout, embracing each other in a sea of emotion. Slowly, Jim Lefebvre, their 66-year-old manager from Scottsdale, Ariz., waddled his way toward the celebration. As he did, the players turned their attention toward him. The man who’d made all this possible. First, Zhang Hongbo embraced his skipper, lifting Lefebvre in the air. Next, Hou Fenglian placed his manager in a bear hug of happiness."
No doubt, the baseball program has a way to go. They were defeated 10-0 by Team Canada one game earlier. But this is a step in the right direction.
Another interesting piece of trivia… Steve Ontiveros (the former pitcher) is the pitching coach for the China team.
Three days into Olympic baseball and powerhouse Cuba has already shown they are a force to be reckoned with. They are undefeated through three games having beaten US, Canada and Japan.
The US took gold in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney but it will take a Cinderella story for that to happen this time. At this time, they are 1-2 and will have to struggle to make the semi-finals.
Canada’s catcher and former University of Illinois player, Chris Robinson already gotten 2 hits and scored a run.
Steve Vedder from The Grand Rapids Press has a nice feature on former University of Illinois catcher Chris Robinson who is representing his home country by playing for Team Canada.
Team Canada plays their first game of the Olympics on August 13 when they face China.
I watched a bit of the Olympics today. I admit I’m a fan when they come around. Unfortunately, this will be the last time baseball and softball will be featured during the summer games. I don’t agree with the decision especially since there are other "sports" that the Olympics are phasing in. Whatever.
That said, keep an eye out on August 13th when baseball tourney gets moving. Four games will be played including the USA vs Korea.
One other team that I’ll have my eye on will be Team Canada. Why? Because their catcher is none other than Chris Robinson. Robbie is a former University of Illinois catcher who played before the Lars Davis era. He is taking a hiatus from his stint in the Cubs farm organization. When he left to help Team Canada, Tennessee Smokies in Double A ball. Robinson is a good gap hitter and knows his way behind a plate so I hope once this is all over, he’ll come right back and get right back into the swing of things for the Cubs.
If you’re interested, I interviewed Chris for Baseball Zealot Radio a year ago spring just before he reported to spring training.
Congrats to Chris Robinson who made the Canadian Olympic Baseball team!
Robinson, who is a University of Illinois alum, was taking a respite from his time in the Cubs farm system so he could help his fellow teammates on the Canadian team qualify for the Beijing games. For his efforts, Robbie was named to the final squad.
Canada will open against China on August 13.
Robinson was a guest on Baseball Zealot Radio last spring before he went into spring training.