Due in large part to the passion of the players and fans of the foreign teams, the WBC is much more captivating than most of us could have imagined. This despite major flaws in the television coverage, relative lack of attention from an American press preoccupied with Barry Bonds and the NCAA's, questionable bottom half of the American roster and terrible umpiring. Perhaps the interpreters used for arguments could be a little more, um, presentable...the lady involved in the Cuba-Puerto Rico game looked like she had been yanked from the local casino after playing nickel slots for eight hours. Maybe Pam Postema should pick up another language. Considering the damage she can do to a guy with a helmet, Sadaharu Oh would have been better served if he brought Sandra Oh out to protest the bogus reversal the other day. I think I have seen the Korean's hats somewhere before, either Little League circa `82 or on an episode of the Jetsons. Who would have thought a team featuring BY Kim, Chan Ho Park and Hee Sop Choi would be undefeated? For the sake of maintaining our dwindling international relations, I hope they remove their flag from they planted on the mound before Clemens takes the field. Although he brought it on himself, the Korean fans' treatment of Ichiro make right field at the Coliseum seem like purgatory. If Ireland had a team would Troy O'Leary be eligible to play for them? What keeps the guys in the Cuban contingency assigned guard duty to prevent defections from defecting themselves? Who does Arte Moreno want to win today? After his game ending punch-out, Pudge will certainly get over it when he wakes up in the morning and gazes out the window at the statue of himself on the lawn. Alex Rodriguez delivers a clutch hit in the one situation when Americans have to pull for him through default. David Ortiz is one bad-ass dude.