Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Sweet Revenge as Aussies Advance
Jeff Williams pitched the final three innings today in Australia's stunning 1-0 win over Japan in the semis, propelling Australia to at least a silver medal and with a good chance for gold against the winner of Canada-Cuba. Williams, as noted previously by this writer, was denied a chance to pitch for Australia by the Dodgers in 2000, because he was 'too important' to the Dodger future to risk on 'exhibitions'. Oh, and Dodger employee Tommy Lasorda was managing the US team that would have had to face Williams.
Fast forward four years. The Dodgers have released Williams, who's now pitching for the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese League. The Japanese are allowing their professionals to compete in the Olympics this year, and out of a sense of fair play, allowed Williams to pitch for Australia. Or maybe it was a sense of invincibility, since the Japanese team has a fantastic lineup.
But Williams, having faced many of the JL players during the season -- a disadvantage to the pitcher, it is generally considered -- pitched perfectly for two and two-thirds after Australia eked out a single run on a two-out RBI in the sixth. And Japan is now playing for Bronze, while Williams can send Lasorda a telegram thanking him for all the confidence the Dodgers put in him as a future major league player back in ;00.
I know what I'm going to be yelling during the finals -- Aussie Aussie Aussie - oi oi oi!
posted by The Crank 9:49 AM
