Hey all of you fans out there. As you can see from the picture, I am at the semifinal WBC game pitting Korea vs. Venezuela, AND this is the best baseball game, despite the 10-2 final score, that I have ever been too! For those of you who do not know who I am and are wondering what does a former NFLer know about baseball, I will attempt to educate you as to why I can make said comments.
Guest Blogger Toi Cook (left) played for the Super Bowl XXIX Champion 49ers
First, I played baseball from the time I was 7 all the way up to Stanford, where I was a 3- year starter in baseball and we won the 1987 College World Series with Jack McDowell, Cy Young winner, as our #1 starter, Ruben Amaro Jr., current GM of the Phillies, was our LF, David Esquer, current head baseball coach of CAL, was our SS, Mark Machtolf, current head baseball coach of Gonzaga, was our DH, and Ed Sprague Jr., current head baseball coach of UOP, was our starting 3B to name a few. We were the first team baseball team at Stanford to win a CWS.
The next year, 1988, Stanford won it again with Mike Mussina, Jeffrey Hammonds, and Ed Sprague, so I feel that I have enough on my resume to discuss why I thought the WBC game was FANTASTIC. First, it starts with the Korean fans, and this applies to the Japanese fans also, from the first pitch to the last pitch it is like a rock/rap/whatever you want to call it concert. People are banging drums, blowing whistles, chanting and singing constantly. I kept turning to my brother, Keyaan, who is in the picture with me, and who also won a CWS with LSU in 1994 (he hit a double of the wall in the championship game), and saying “this is how baseball should be!!!”
The Venezuelans were down 10-2 and no one left the stadium until the final out. The fans were rabid but gracious. Granted I can’t speak Korean, but they sure seem to be having a great time, being up 10-2 will do that to you. And to tell you the truth, I was a little skeptical of the WBC and its format but after seeing it up close I cannot wait to experience it again.
My only disappointment was not being able to attend the Japan vs. Korea final which from all accounts was unbelievably loud, boisterous, a good natured rivalry. No one was escorted from stadium. There was no fighting! Can you imagine a Yankees vs. Red Sox game and the insults hurled and fights?!!! If any group should have fought it would have been Korea vs. Japan based upon their history where lives were lost! And in keeping with the excitement of the WBC, the finals went extra innings with Japan finally winning. I love the WBC! Now let’s see if the USA can actually win the championship in a game we created!!!!!
I’m Toi Cook and I’m out!
Toi Cook is a former 11 year NFLer, who played for the Saints, 49ers (who won the XXIX Super Bowl), and Carolina Panthers. He was a 3 year starter in both Football and Baseball at Stanford and is the # 2 all time interception leader at Stanford. He is currently managing partner/CEO of Toi Cook Management Group LLC, a sports and entertainment consulting company.
Hey MLB has something good goin’ here, but they’ve GOT to lower prices. After all the aim is to promote the sport worldwide. Make it easy.
I agree with Joe, WBC could some day open MLB to a true World Series but they have got to make it REALLY affordable for everyone.