There are two things that I pride myself in; my love for baseball and my intense national pride. This past week, both were demolished like the Astrodome by my arch nemesis, Canada. With the exception of Celine Dion, I cannot say I particularly dislike any specific Canadians (well except for the ones who speak French). However, as a country, Canada is essentially the bane of my existence.

That being said, I do not have a problem when Canada defeats us in things such as moose hunting, curling, and at times even hockey. It’s when you start bringing baseball into it that I generally start to lose my cool. We are America, the creators of the great sport of baseball and a country that claims the sport as its national pastime. They are Canada, creators of beer with a stronger alcohol content and people who say ‘eh?’ on a far too regular basis.

I will give Canada credit, as the country has produced a few quality major leaguers. But folks, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins and hitting machine Larry Walker were not represented on the maple-leaf-clad team (although Walker was a coach). Even current Canuck phenom Eric Gagne did not suit up for the team due to injury. Nope, instead we were embarrassed by such legends as Stubby Clap, Peter LaForest, and Sebastian Boucher. Clearly ARod, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. cannot hold a candle to the power and talent of that trio.

Through it all, I am a baseball fan, so I will grudgingly commend Adam Loewen for his performance last week. You have to be impressed by a kid who played last season in Class A ball coming in and shutting down some of the best players to ever lace up the spikes. You’ve got to think that Team USA’s offense is just as much to blame as the kid’s talent though. I mean, come on, getting shut out by a 21-year-old from British Columbia? Unbelievable.

Some people thought that it was classless for the American fans sitting in Chase Field to boo the American players. What people must realize however is that losing to our northern neighbor, at anything, is just brutal. Not only was the U.S. losing the game, but they looked completely lackadaisical. That is the most embarrassing thing about the game, our very own superstars loafing around the field for the first few innings, allowing ridiculous inside the park home runs, and finally realizing the trouble they were in five innings to late. They honestly deserved to be booed.

There is a great chance that the United States will not win the World Baseball Classic. While this will be somewhat upsetting to me as an American, it doesn’t come as a shock considering the diversity in the major leagues today. The Latin American teams are absolutely loaded and seem to have a great deal more passion for the Classic than the U.S. players. That being said, never should the United States lose to Canada, especially in anything taking place in warm weather.

Luckily my faith in the great game of baseball was restored when the Canadian juggernaut did not even qualify for the second round of the tournament. Yes Canada, you had your day in the sun, but now it is time for the real baseball players to take over and show the world how it is done.

Phil Mattingly can be reached at phil.mattingly@atomicsportsmedia.com