Rays in Cuba

[1952boyntoncollector]

"In 1999 the Orioles lost in Baltimore 12-6 and won 3-2 in Cuba against the team. Obviously times have changed, but to assume that their small population vs America's talent poll makes it too lop sided to make it fun just doesn't work historically.

They still have a lot of young talent that hasn't been able to defect or are Cuban loyalists and I am looking forward to the game".


Much less than in 1999. The impact of not sending all of our all stars (assuming not sending cubans) impacts us much less than taking away the top 20 players for cuba given the relative populations of the 2 countries and the lack of opportunities for some would be players if they didnt have to feed their family etc..

like i said...will be something to watch but i wish they had their best players werent picked off......plus age disparity between the two teams is probably pretty big as most of the major league caliber guys like you said in the late 20s are gone and in the U.S.... heck there is a Player on the RAys that played for Cuba 3 years ago....so we taking a top player from them and making him play against them...you dont see any former americans playing for cuba...not a level playing field

matt moore is reporting to start......saying that archer isnt starting means nothing and is a whole different argument..he will be there...thats the Rays choice...if all of the all stars were there maybe Kershaw doesnt start either...that would be an argument... the cubans cant choose for Chapman to play because hes in the U.S......the Rays can choose anyone to play

.

[packs]

The point of the game isn't to see whose team is better. I think it's the gesture that's important.

[Tom Hufford]

Granted, the names of the Cuban players are unknown to 99.9% of viewers, and I'll admit I was only able to see the last 3-4 innings of the game - but has there ever been another telecast by ESPN (or any other network) where there was virtually no mention of the players, very little commentary about the game on the field - all giving way to banter, interviews, opinions, comments about the greats of the game from the past 50 years, but no discussion of who made the sliding catch, hit the home run, etc.?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Tom Hufford

Granted, the names of the Cuban players are unknown to 99.9% of viewers, and I'll admit I was only able to see the last 3-4 innings of the game - but has there ever been another telecast by ESPN (or any other network) where there was virtually no mention of the players, very little commentary about the game on the field - all giving way to banter, interviews, opinions, comments about the greats of the game from the past 50 years, but no discussion of who made the sliding catch, hit the home run, etc.?

the center fielder for cuba replaced Cespedes when he defected is what they said in the game...he not nearly as good