USA Baseball’s WBC Win Brings Attention To The Event
USA Baseball won their first World Baseball Classic last night in a rousing 8-0 victory where Marcus Stroman pitched the game of his life and the new Director of Moral High Ground Ian Kinsler hit a big two-run homer that started scoring for the United States. They never looked back beating the previously undefeated Puerto Rico, 8-0. A part of me wishes I paid more attention to WBC as it was happening because from all accounts, the event kicked ass and the U.S. could be looking a dream team in years to come.
"The US has a WBC title!" 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/gG00CssJcv
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 23, 2017
From what I paid attention to, the US had a team mentality to an international competition. Sometimes, it’s all about individuals, or they don’t want to hurt themselves for the regular season. The vibe given was ‘Either you’re with us or you’re done.’ Take Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer, he wanted to pitch in the semifinal as Archer pitched for the United States earlier in the tournament. They told him know since he left the team to go train with Rays. Tanner Roark got the call instead who pitched masterfully. Further, Adam Jones being the team leader and creating the catchphrase ‘United We Grind’ which became the rallying cry for this team. Minus Kinsler’s stupid fucking comment about Latin baseball, this team was hard to dislike.
This team will look much different in four years. Everyone will probably get on the bandwagon after seeing the success and how much fun everyone had this year. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a lineup featuring Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Bryce Harper. Noah Syndergaard on the mound with a few other young pitching prospects will likely happen. Many of those guys are regretting not playing for this team, and what I love is the guys on the US team are rubbing it in their faces.
From here, it will be interesting to see if any of these players have a huge April. I know my dumb brain as a daily DraftKings will likely try to ride the WBC waves with some of these guys.
Charlie.