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 News from Around the Americas | February 2006 
The Lessons of “Viva Mexico”
 Andrew Lomeli - Stanford Daily
| | A Cuban boy plays baseball after school in Havana. Cuba will play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in the United States in March despite the defection of many of its best players to the Major League. (Reuters/Claudia Daut) |
The smell of freshly-cut grass. The salty taste of sunflower seeds or peanuts — whichever you prefer. The sound made as wood makes contact with the leather ball.
Nothing epitomizes the United States like baseball. Americans are brought up attending games with their families and belting out lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” And with the inaugural World Baseball Classic just weeks away, the U.S. will finally be afforded the opportunity to send its professional athletes to compete on an international stage.
March’s WBC features 16 countries competing in a World Cup-like tournament at sites scattered throughout the world. Four of the sites are in the States (Orlando, Phoenix, Anaheim and San Diego) host the tourney’s final two rounds.
With the States’ claim to baseball as its “national pastime” on the line, the country cannot allow a repeat of the ill-fated 2004 basketball Dream Team, a squad that was lucky to grab a bronze at the Olympics. While I’m certain superstars such as Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Roger Clemens will do their part to secure the U.S.’s dominance on the diamond, most of the nation’s pride will rest in the hands of those who carry the sport’s popularity today: the nation’s fans.
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a Mexico-Norway soccer game at Monster Park in San Francisco. What I experienced that evening would forever change my perception of a fan’s dedication to a team.
Decked out in green jerseys and carrying a giant Mexican flag, my friends and I packed into our cars and impatiently survived the hoard of traffic all the way up to the city.
As I draped myself in the Mexican flag and joined in the endless chorus of “Mexico, ra-ra-ra!” I felt something I had never felt before. For the first time in my life, I considered myself part of the greater cause — part of a nation. None of my previous trips to Dodger Stadium, the Staples Center or even our beloved Maples Pavilion have provided me with a similar atmosphere of noise and flare.
The countless flags waving throughout the crowd, the sound of horns being blown and the undying loyalty of a nation to its sport — soccer’s equivalent of the sights and sounds that bring spirit to baseball — provided an experience words cannot describe.
When a Mexican offensive lineman’s kick came within inches of scoring a goal, fans throughout the stadium applauded the effort and shouted encouraging words. In contrast, when Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a game-tying field goal against the Steelers in the AFC playoffs a few weeks ago, Colts fans (such as myself) weren’t exactly offering words of encouragement. From the RCA Dome to Stern Dining, we threw a collective temper tantrum.
I long considered myself a dedicated Mexican soccer fan, but now I know I was wrong. I was also wrong about my so-called loyalty to the Dodgers and the Cardinal. Soccer is more than just a sport in Mexico; it’s a way of life.
And so I wonder whether American fans will be able to hold up their end of the bargain come March. After being entertained by these athletes for years, fans will owe it to their idols to fill the seats at Angel Stadium and Petco Park, carrying American flags and wearing red, white and blue.
The U.S.’s boast to a unique connection to baseball will be tested, especially by a powerful Dominican Republic roster that features Vlad Guerrero, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz and American League Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon.
Our duty as Americans will be to take pride in what we are about to witness. While Barry Bonds and Gary Sheffield may not feel the responsibility to represent the United States, many national icons will take the field with the sense of being part of a greater cause.
I will be there when they hoist up that WBC trophy, screaming at the top of my lungs. I would suggest that this nation’s baseball fans take a lesson from the rest of the world and prove their true love for game and country.
Andy Lomeli is a freshman Daily sports columnist. Email him at alomeli@stanford.edu. |
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