Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary

Newly-minted Hall of Famer Barry Larkin has been hired to manage the Brazilian team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Given the short and relatively scant history of baseball in Brazil, I'm pretty confident in saying that their best hope is having him bat lead-off and play SS.

Shane Mosley hopes to rebound after "the loss".

Its been made official that HBO will televise the upcoming bout between undefeated heavyweight contender, Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KOs) and Vitali Klitschko (38-2, 37 KOs) for the WBC heavyweight championship on December 12th. In addition to Johnson vs. Klitschko, HBO will also be airing Victor Ortiz vs. Antonio Diaz and the rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. The special duel site, triple header, will kick off at 10:15 PM with Oritz vs. Diaz, followed by Diaz vs. Malignaggi II. Immediately following Diaz vs. Malignaggi, HBO will air the WBC Title fight from Switzerland, tape delayed. HT: Fightnews

Aroldis Chapman, the 21 year old Cuban pitcher you may remember from the WBC -- he's the one who was hitting triple digits -- has reportedly defected in the Netherlands, and is now in the wind.

According to The Associated Press, the 2009 Major League season began Sunday evening with 69 players on the disabled list, a sharp reduction of injuries compared to 2008, when 106 players began the year on the DL, and 2007, when the number was 97. The only lower total since MLB expanded to 30 teams in 1998, according to the Commissioner's Office, which gave the information to the AP, was the 66 players who opened the season on the DL in 2006. These comparatively healthy Opening Day statistics seem to refute the notion that the recently completed second World Baseball Classic caused more injuries than a normal Spring Training. The inaugural Classic was played in 2006.

I think Japan hits a Bong and takes this one

Brian McCann obviously has never been to the playoffs.

Our number one starter and our closer are now pitching in the WBC for Team USA.

Also, I hope you enjoyed the extra inning rule used for the Olympics because they'll likely be using that.