Bigfoot has not yet been confirmed, but, EL CHUPACABRA LIVES!!!!!!!!!!

Also, starting on September 9th is the baseball world cup. 

22 countries are competing to win the world cup with first round games being held in Spain (Barcelona), Czech Republic (Prague), Germany (Regensburg), Croatia (Zagreb) and Sweden (Stockholm).

Of interest to me are team Canada, the US, team Cuba, and team Sweden. 

Team Canada has a lot of AA and AAA guys with a few guys who have had cups of coffee in the majors.  One of their pitchers is Jamie Richmond who came back with Joey Devine in the Kotsay trade. They play their first round games in Sweden. 

Also, team USA and team Canada play a practice game today (and again on the 4th, 5th, and 6th) in North Carolina.

Team USA is made up of largely AA and AAA guys.  The A's connection is a coaching staff that includes Jim Bowie, Ernie Young (That triple play might be my favorite memory of the lean 93 to 98 years), and Jamie Quirk.  By the way, I remember one of Quirk's only games as an Athletic in 89.  I think that he homered in his first A's at bat in Cleveland. 

Team Cuba has many international play veterans including catcher Ariel Pestano and outfielder Frederich Cepeda who mashed like hell during the last WBC. 

Team Sweden has a player who is from norcal and is a personal friend of mine.  He is a duel citizen and I hope that he does well.  I will pass on any appropriate reports from the games that he gives me. 

The other participating countries are: the Netherlands Antilles (who at times will team up with the Netherlands and at times will play independently), Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, Czech Repuplic, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico (there are several big leaguers on Mexico's roster including Ricardo Rincon), the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico (lots of former big league players), South Africa, and Spain. 

It is nice to see Giambi contributing to the Rockies' success.  I have a lot of Giants fans in the family but I think I want to the Rockies to go to the NLCS and face the Cards.

But seriously, a CHUPACABRA!!!