When Did the U.S. Become the Sports Underdog?

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It depends on who you ask. Some people see it as a patriotic duty to represent your country. Most people would like to see the best play, and take the attitude that not playing an extra few games a year and acting like a primadona is not very becoming of a macho athlete. So most people take the attitude of "suck it up and go play". There are a few people that don't care one way or the other, but most of these people are not interested in the sport in question, which explains why they don't care. Overall, I'd say that most people are disappointed when players chose not to play on an international team, but that disappointment doesn't get to the point of open hostility.

Re: Baseball - I can't believe people are saying teamwork isn't that important in baseball. Even when you're team is batting, teamwork is important. Everything from base running, advancing runners, sacrifice flies, and bunting all involve teamwork.

On the defensive side of the ball - teamwork should be obvious to anyone who's watched a single inning. How do you properly execute a double play or relay throw or hit a cutoff man without teamwork? On double plays, you have to throw the ball before the teammate actually gets to the bag. For example with a runner on first, if it's a grounder to the second baseman, you don't have time to turn a double play if you wait for the shortstop to get to second before you throw. You throw it as soon as you field it, trusting your teammate will make it to second base during the second or so he has while the ball is in the air.

 

At least the same if not more than in cricket HB.

 

How about the rest of the world? Don’t they have problems with teamwork too?

Here in Brazil we are used to hear national football players and coaches complaining about lack of teamwork when the team is not playing well. IMHO, at least in our case, it’s a lame excuse, mostly because all the other main football nations in the world face the same problem.