World Baseball Classic and Netherlands Baseball: Too Much Dutch

The Netherlands baseball team had just set the World Baseball Classic on its ear with a come-from-behind 2-1 walk-off victory against a Dominican Republic squad many had penciled in as champs. Prior to last Saturday, when the Netherlands defeated the Dominicans the first time, no one had ever linked Netherlands and World Baseball Classic anywhere near each other in the same discussion. But three days later, there they were...players named Eugene Kingsale, Michiel van Kampen, and Dirk Van't Klooster leaping into a pile of baseball humanity in post-game World Series fashion, while stars David Ortiz, Jose Reyes, and Miguel Tejada walked away bewildered.

World Baseball Classic Upset?

There is no argument that the Netherlands defeating the Dominican Republic is an enormous upset. However, post-game analysts and fans began comparing the outcome to other stunners in sports' history. Perhaps a step back is warranted to examine the folly of that comparison.

First, more than a few people have to care about the outcome of these World Baseball Classic games for them to matter on that grand a scale. Other than the population of the Dominican Republic, a few Dutchmen here and there, and baseball purists who watch baseball DVD's in January to stay connected, there is not intense interest.

Secondly, the Netherlands beat them twice in four days. Once? It's a big upset. Twice? Maybe they are the better team. Certainly in March that's a possibility. Playing this tournament now, while it serves as a baseball promotion internationally, does not provide an accurate barometer of skill and talent. Many of the players engaged in Major League Baseball in the United States are just starting to shake off months of rust. Pitchers are on pitch counts, much as they would be in spring training games. They are certainly playing to win...national pride and all...but many are simply not in mid-season form. You can certainly make the case the Netherlands, and other potential upstarts, see these games as career makers.

Thirdly, in order to have a "biggest upset" discussion, one would have to enter USA 4, USSR 3 into the debate, and quite simply, there's no comparison. Before professionals became involved, the Olympic stage was the brightest for hockey players internationally. The greatest among them at that time were the Russians. The Americans entered the fray with a group of college kids. During an exhibition weeks before the Olympics, those same kids were brutalized by the Soviets at Madison Square Garden, 10-3.

World Baseball Classic... Exhibitions, Not Championships

It is difficult to characterize the Netherlands' victories as all-time upsets. As surprising and inspiring as they were, the games they played are still glorified exhibitions. Even though the Mets won a staggering 100 games in 1969, their defeat of the Orioles is considered a huge upset because it occurred in the World Series. The Jets defeat of the Colts? The Super Bowl. The USA hockey team? The Olympics. See the trend?