SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Last night’s action in San Juan was an instant classic despite more than 90 minutes of total rain delays at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The rain didn’t put a damper the energy of the game at all. As I sat with thousands of Canadians, Panameños, Boricuas and béisbol fans from all over the world, I found myself wishing I could bottle the vibes to share with you all. Sadly we don’t have that technology just yet, but hopefully this collection of thoughts and images from last night will
suffice.
Chicago had a lot of cheering interests in the action in San Juan last night. Jameson Taillon was the starting pitcher along with former top prospect Owen Caissie playing in the outfield for Team Canada. Miguel Amaya played behind the plate and Christian Bethancourt manned first base for Panama.
Taillon started the game and held the Panameños offense mostly in check. He got into trouble at times giving up two hits and walking two in 3.2 innings. He also started out in trouble with a throwing error from Abraham Toro on the first play of the game. But Jamo was effective, giving up just one run and striking out three. Unfortunately for Team Canada, the pitch limits in the World Baseball Classic meant he was lifted in the fourth inning.
The game was fun, close and mostly well-played heading into the sixth when Panama went off on James Paxton. Like so many rallies, it started with a no out walk. A batter later, a missed catch allowed Bethancourt to reach and Josh Naylor to advance to third. With runners at the corners and one out, Panama understood the assignment.
Rubén Tejada, playing in his third World Baseball Classic since 2009 came to the plate with Panama down one and bases loaded. He hit a ball out of the infield that ate up Canada’s second baseman to take the lead. Panama would score three runs before the frame was over, sending their fans into a frenzy.
Also, mad props to this Canadian fan with the moose puppet who still believes in Canada’s chances as the chants got louder. These fans entered strangers and left friends chatting it up through the final innings as Canada’s late rallies fell just short in the ninth:
It was a joy to experience every second of this game, and while a handful of people left during the second 40 minute rain delay in the bottom of the ninth (yes, really) the vast majority of fans didn’t dare miss a second of the action. When Panama got the last out the crowd went wild.
The win kept Panama alive in pool play, although they’ll need to win the rest of their games and get some luck to advance. They are currently fighting for their World Baseball Classic life against Colombia as I type this. Miguel Amaya was just lifted for a pinch runner with two outs, down two in the seventh. It’s been a wild ride in pool play so far, and a clash of titans is on the schedule for tonight as Puerto Rico takes on Cuba in San Juan and Mexico plays the USA in Houston. The winners of both of those games will clinch a spot in the quarters for one of those teams.
But the World Baseball Classic is so much more than clinching and box scores. It’s a vibe, man, and that vibe is elite.
