Interesting Facts About Olympic Sports-Baseball

">Spain hosted the 13rd Baseball Intercontinental Cup in
Did you know...1997.
Cuba-traditionally the powerhouse in baseball- wereFinal standings:
beaten by the Dominican Republic at the 1982 Central1. Japan
American and Caribbean Games in Havana, Cuba.2. Cuba
The Dominican Republic won the gold medal. The3. Australia
champions were Victor Mercedes, Orlando Guerrero,4. USA
Enrique Cruz, Johnny Olivo, Julio Dominguez, Mario5. Nicaragua
Marte, Pedro Gomez, Ivan Crispin, Wilfredo Fernandez.6. Italy
Final standings:7. France
1. Dominican Republic (gold medal)8. Spain
2. Cuba (silver medal)In the 20th century, many Latin American have played
3. Netherlands Antilles (bronze medal)in the American Major Leagues:Roberto Clemente
4. Panama(Puerto Rico/ Pittsburgh), Adolfo Luque (Cuba/
5. VenezuelaCincinnati), Sandalio Consuegra (Cuba/ Chicago),
6. NicaraguaRoberto "Beto" Davila (Mexico/ Cleveland), Orlando
7. Puerto RicoCepeda (Puerto Rico/ San Francisco), Tony Oliva
The American senior men's national team won the(Cuba/ Minnesota), Felipe Alou (Dominican Republic/
silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. TheAtlanta), Orestes Miñoso (Cuba/ Chicago),
U.S team was coached by Smeltzly Hal.Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic/ Chicago)...
In 1998, Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic/ Chicago)Venezuela won the gold medal at the 1965 Bolivarian
was elected the "Most Valuable Player of the NationalGames in Guayaquil (Ecuador).
League" by the Baseball Writers Association ofFinal standings:
America.1. Venezuela (gold medal)
Nicaragua is one of the best teams in Latin America.2. Colombia (silver medal)
At the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas3. Panama (bronze medal)
(Venezuela), Nicaragua took the silver medal and won4. Ecuador
the right to compete at the 1984 Summer Olympics inAsia has many famous baseball players: Jan Sung Ho
Los Angeles (California,USA). The players were:Julio(South Korea), Wang Chien-Ming (Taiwan/ plays for
Cesar Medina, Leonardo Alberto, Roberto Espino, JuanNew York Yankees), Mori Daisuke (Japan/ plays for
Gardamez, Ariel Ramon Delgado, Jose Apolinar Cruz,BayStars). Under the leadership of Daisuke, Japan
Cayetano Fabio ,Cruz Ulloa Mayorga, Arnoldowon the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in
Muñoz Picha, Julio Cesar Sanchez, TomasGreece.
Guzman Gudiel, Alvaro David Palaci, Luis AlbertoIn 1967, Orlando Cepeda was named the "Most
Arauz, Roger Torres Lopez, Adolfo Ramon Alvarez,Valuable Player of the National League" by the
Cesar Monjes Reyes, Daniel Antonio Sote, JulioBaseball Writers Association of America.
Antonio Moya, Elvin Jose Jarquin, Diego ManuelThe 18th World Junior Baseball Championship was held
Raudez.in Taiwan in 1999.
Japan won the gold medal at the 1973 IntercontinentalFinal standings:
Cup in Italy.1. United States
Final standings:2. Taiwan/Chinese Taipei
1. Japan3. Cuba
2. Puerto Rico4. Panama
3. USA5. South Korea
4. Nicaragua6. South Africa
5. Canada7. Venezuela
6. Italy8. Holland
7. Taiwan/Chinese Taipei9. Japan
8. Argentina10. Czech Republic
In 1965, Zoilo Versalles (Cuba/ Minnesota) was named11. Guam (American territory)
the "Most Valuable Player of the American League"12.
by the Baseball Writers Association of America.