Bobby V. says Marines should have challenged White Sox

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Nothing major, just something interesting I thought I would post. Appearantly Bobby Valentine thinks that his Chiba Lotte Marines could/should have challenged the WHite Sox in an exhibition series. Ive always thought a 7 game series between the World Series Champs and the Nippon Series Champs was a good idea. Maybe MLB and NPB can arrange this next year. Here's the article.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Bobby Valentine wants to see the top teams in the United States and Japan play each other to determine a true world champion, and he thinks his Chiba Lotte Marines could have challenged the Chicago White Sox this year.

 

The former New York Mets and Texas Rangers manager guided the Marines to their first Japanese major league title in 31 years last season. The White Sox swept Houston for their first World Series championship since 1917.

 

"I didn't see the White Sox except on TV, but our leadoff guy was as fast. Our defense was as good. Our pitchers threw the same pitches and threw just as hard, but with better control," Valentine said Tuesday. "We would have been short in middle-of-the-lineup power, but that power isn't what wins a series for you."

 

Back in the United States to serve as auctioneer at a dinner honoring Willie Mays, Valentine said he likes the concept of the inaugural World Baseball Classic -- the 16-nation tournament to be played next March. But he would like international competition to go one step further, with a postseason series to establish a world champion.

 

"The (World Baseball Classic) can begin our great season. I don't think it's opposed to that competition to have the best teams play each other at the end of the season," he said.

 

Valentine also said he spoke with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this offseason about the manager's job they filled by hiring Grady Little on Tuesday.

 

"We were talking, but we never talked about a contract," said Valentine, who was drafted in the first round (No. 5 overall) by the Dodgers in 1968 and played his first three big league seasons in Los Angeles. "I was part of the Dodgers, and I always will be, but we just didn't have the right timing. I had a job and I wasn't looking. That's why I was flattered even to be considered."

 

He said the Dodgers never asked for permission from Chiba Lotte to negotiate with him. Valentine agreed to a contract extension to remain in Japan with the Marines.

 

"My contract with the Marines was in the works since we won the interleague championship during the season," he said. "There was a trophy and a financial reward to the team that won. Our owner appreciated that.

 

"I was very involved in the situation there. It was very exciting to a lot of people and myself. I asked the players and the people to be committed to what I'm doing there. It would border on hypocrisy for me to leave now."

 

Valentine has been credited with bringing an American style of play to Japan, helping the Marines to their title.

 

"It seems like more of a hybrid to me. It's my appreciation for the way (the Japanese) approach the game, along with their recognition of my love of the game here. It's just about the game, not about me or America or Japan," he said. (AP)

 

December 8, 2005

[jimmycarter05]

Haha, the White Sox would kill them.

[Soxfan1]

This would be a step in the positive direct for the MLB.The only thing that would be worked out is where the games are played and who supplies the coffee.

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This would be a step in the positive direct for the MLB.The only thing that would be worked out is where the games are played and who supplies the coffee.

Maybe they could alternate, one year all the games are played in America and the next year all the games are played in Japan. And Then a coin flip could determine who gets Home Field advantage. Also, not all the games would be played in the host country's team's stadium. For instance, if the games were played in America this year (hypothetically) only the White Sox' home games would be played at U.S. Cellular, the Marines' home games would be played at Wrigley Field in this instance (If the Yankees were the White Sox the Marines would play at Shea, if the Astros were the White Sox, the Marines would play in Arlington, etc.. The clostest Stadium to your own is where the team from the other country would play).

 

thats just how I would organize it. But let's face it, this will NEVER happen.

 

Haha, the White Sox would kill them.

I disagree, though I think the Sox would win, its not as lopsided a matchup as you think. As a follower of Japanese baseball I can tell you that the Chiba leadoff man is extremely fast. I think he is the Center Fielder as well, not positive though. They lack offense as theyre biggest offensive threat is Benny Agbayani (who is a monster over there), who wasnt that great off Major League pitching (granted, he was a pretty good hitter, but there is no doubt that he fizzled out.). Their pitching was good and their defense was great, maybe better than that of Chicago considering how they play pretty much all of their games on completely shaven infields (all dirt, no grass, like American softball fields) or artificial turf. And its not the artificial turf we have over here now, the grassy stuff. IN japan they are still using Astroturf.

 

But I think the White Sox would take it in 5.