Dominican Players - Page 3

Golo100 · #21 10-10-2002, 03:19 PM

That as much as we try to glorify "team" winning, team players and winning championships, the reality is that sports are dominated by individual statistics.

I, for instance, confess that I could care less if my team wins as long as my favorite players excel. I believe, deep down, most people feel the same way. Otherwise, why so much concentration on individual player awards and fortune?

If winning is so important how come the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox are among the most popular teams in baseball and their cities? (here's a clue...take a look at their players. They always have a superstar)How come nobody went to see the Marlins when they were baseball champs? Why do they want to close down the Twins who are winners this year and have been to the World Series several times? I'll tell you why. They do not a have Sammy Sosa, a Pedro, a Manny Ramirez or a Barry Bonds who can draw fans. Teams do not draw fans. Players do!!

A recent poll resulted in the top five events in baseball history being individual achievements, not team achievements. The greatest event in baseball was Carl Ripkens consecutive games played record followed by events like the Battle of Home Runs by Sammy Sosa and McGwire, Nolan Ryan's seven no hitters, Hank Aaron's 755th. home run and others. Not one was a team effort.

If you ask in a worldwide poll about baseball's top 1000 most remembered events, statistics or facts, probably more than 90% will be individual. Unless you do research, how many people for instance can name the year and team that won the last 10 World Series. This could be as hard as winning the lottery. Yet, most baseball fans remember Babe Ruth's HR record, Who was Roger Maris, How many no hitters Nolan Ryan threw, Who was Mr. October for the Oakland A's, who is George Steinbrenner, etc...

TW

trina · #22 10-10-2002, 03:54 PM

McInbrass, you are way out of gas. WINNERS is what we are talking about? Who wins more awards, and are at the top of all leaders in baseball? If you are saying that one Dominican man is responsible for his whole team, you're giving any given man way too much credit. One man cannot bat, pitch, catch, and field all at the same time. He needs a TEAM to help him....

You want me to name some winners? Okay, on top of Golo's list, how about:

Miguel Batista; Alfonso Soriano; Enrique Wilson; Jose Vizcaino (Saved that nail-biter 12-inning 1st game with a 2-out single in 2000; Armando Benitez; Timo Perez (your Mets team who made it in 2000); Quilvio Veras...should I go on, or would you like a little time to catch up on your baseball news?

Mcinbrass · #23 10-10-2002, 04:27 PM

...who has no team , only players, and I understand that. Maybe if Santo Domingo had a team you would feel differently about winning. Those of us who follow teams care about only one thing winning. Individual statistics are nice for individuals but last time I checked Baseball was a team sport and the goal of the team should be first and foremost. Individual accomplishments come second. The individual accolades heaped on guys like Bonds, McGwire, Arod, Sosa dont hold a candle to The Yankees 26 team champoinships and what that has meant to the fans and the city for whom the Yankees play. That could be said for any city who has a champion. Players play for the fans, thats who pays the salaries. I bet if Arod, Sosa and the like played for the Santo Domingo Expos they would find a way to win.

trina · #24 10-10-2002, 05:25 PM

Abolsultely, put all of the best Dominican players on a team, and they would win...you're cutting your nose off in spite of your face. You just proved our point. Fact is, the Dominicans in the league are the stars of the teams, without backup to help bring them to the playoffs. But they still shine in a big way anyways, don't they?

mobrouser · #25 10-10-2002, 08:28 PM

at 39 years old when he retired, i can't think of a better example of a team player than:

tony fernandez

some background info for you... the blue jays organization, now 26 years old, has named 5 people to the level of excellence.

exclude gaston who was the manager; bell and fernandez are Dominican, carter and steib are American. pretty exceptional representation for the island , don't you think?

mob

mondongo · #26 10-11-2002, 01:15 AM

name another nationality that has better representation...adjusted for population, name another nationality that has better representation... I thought so ... you can't...can you?.... now go back to your cave and start feeding that starving brain o' yours

Jersey Devil · #27 10-11-2002, 02:35 AM

I believe that 25% or so of baseball players signing
professional contracts for the first time last year
were Dominican. As a nation, the DR is in the top 3.
Per capita it's probably #1.
If you look at being a Major League Baseball player as against the odds, anyone who dons a uniform is a winner.

Golo100 · #28 10-11-2002, 10:40 AM

Is anybody interested at all in these playoffs without the Yankees, the Braves, the Red Sox, the A's and the real name teams?

I have yet to turn the TV on to see the boring Giants, Cardinals, Twins and ......the Annaheim WHO? I can't wait to see the ratings.
Can you imagine a West Coast series? Half of the USA and the 90 % of the world will be rather watching a cooking program.

This is what I mean by name players. If Soriano, Bernie, Jeter, Sosa,Randy and Schilling, ARod were playing people would be watching. But even Bonds and Pujols won't be able to wake up the fans from this sleep-fly boredom.

Is there a real power pitcher in the entire series? Can anyone name a pitcher? Did anybody hit 40 home runs or stole 40 bases? This will be known as the "anonymous series".

What a waste!! I rather watch the exhibition NBA game at Palacio de Los Deportes(sorry, just the cheerleaders).

TW

Mcinbrass · #29 10-11-2002, 10:58 AM

...and possibly one of the five greatest players of all time. Seems like it's his turn this year. I find it riveting watching him play and a treat. He, as an example does all of the little things. Patient at the plate, runs bases extremely well and a gentleman as well. Good luck Barry.

Tony C · #30 10-11-2002, 12:50 PM

Barry Bonds a gentleman??? Now that is funny!