U.S.-China relations take a hit in Olympic baseball

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Baseball may be on the way out as an Olympic sport, but observers anticipating the eventual clash of civilizations between the United States and China may have seen a sneak preview on the diamond Monday:

The U.S. beat China 9-1 in the Olympics Monday night, and it was awful. China’s pitchers hit five U.S. batters, sending one to the hospital. U.S. baserunners plowed over two China catchers, likely knocking one out of the Games.

While some reporters at the scene think “Our relations with China were nearly broken at the plate,” I wouldn’t go that far. After all, the manager of the Chinese team — who was ejected from Monday’s game — is an American who has been helping establish the national pastime in China since 2003. Personally, I’m still more outraged about the Chinese gymnasts.