Want To Know Why the Dominican Team Lost to The Dutch

By now everyone knows the powerful Dominican Republic team lost to the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

And in case you didn't know, the Dominican team lost both games to the Dutch. The last game, which eliminated them from the WBC, was lost in extra innings.

Things got off to a rocky start when Miguel Tejada refused to play for the Dominican's because he didn't want to play 1St. base. Some prodding got him to play. Then Alex Rodriguez went down with an injury.

Even with the distractions though, the Dominicans and their lineup of all-stars shouldn't lose a game to the Dutch. Then it hit me. I know why they lost, Felipe Alou.

Yes Felipe Alou was the Dominican's coach for the WBC. Felipe Alou is a walking curse. Everything that can go wrong with Alou will. Let's take a look at his career.

- In 1962 the Giants faced off against the Yankees in the World Series. Alou was a starter for that team. Result: Willie McCovey hits a line drive that was caught by New York's Bobby Richardson ending the World Series with the Giants in defeat.

- In 1994, the Expos, which were managed by Alou, started the year off with the best record in the Major Leagues. Result: The league goes on strike and the World Series is canceled.

- In 1997, the Expos traded Pedro Martinez to the Red Sox. Result: Red Sox break their 86 year curse, while the Expos fans disappear and the team moves to Washington.

- In 2003, the Giants hire Alou. Result: The Giants with the leagues best record, lose to the Marlins in the Wild Card round. This did give us one of the best rants ever by Chris Russo.

- In 2004, the Giants are on the verge of winning the NL West again. All they have to do is beat their rival Dodgers for the crown. Result: The Giants collapse. Cody Ransom, yes the same Cody Ransom who is replacing A-Rod for the Yankees while he recovers from his injury, botches an easy play giving the Dodgers another batter. Then Steve Finley hits a game-winning home run to give the Dodgers the NL West and the Giants miss the playoffs.

That loss alone has sent the Giants into a tailspin. They haven't been close to reaching the playoffs since. Also the BALCO case erupts during Alou's tenure. Barry Bonds can thank him for that.

- In 2009, the Dominican's name Alou their manager. Result: They are upset by the Dutch twice in a week.

Face it, Alou is cursed. He can turn gold into a load of junk. He makes the worst in-game decisions of any manager of all-time. He doesn't know how to use a pitching staff and he doesn't wear to place batters properly in a lineup.

The Dominican's deserve what they got, when they hired Felipe Alou. Somewhere Larry Krueger is laughing right now.