The United States vs. Cuba

The grudge: Take your pick—U.S. “imperialism,” Fidel’s revolution, the embargo, Bay of Pigs, the missile crisis …

The competitors: The two teams met on the baseball diamond in the preliminary round on Aug. 15.

The result: Despite hitting American Taylor Teagarden (above) with a pitch, Cuba’s Pedro Luis Lazo closed out the game for a 5-4 Cuban victory in extra innings. The two teams meet again in the semifinals Friday.