Scottsdale, Arizona – The World Baseball Classic is in full swing and Team USA is looking to return to the top of the podium after finishing second to Japan in 2023.
The lineup is formidable and features MLB stars such as Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Schwarber, among others. However, they also face other teams filled with MLB’s best players, so it could prove to be a tough challenge as the tournament progresses.
But that doesn’t deter the excitement they have about playing in the tournament.
“The most important thing is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime (experience): to have the opportunity to be surrounded by the greatness that we have in this room,” Judge said after the team’s exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
“MVPs, Cy Young winners, World Series champions, All-Stars… the list goes on and on. It’s going to be a cool experience, being able to play for your country and also learn a couple of things and just pick guys’ brains, see what motivates them and hopefully you can add something to your game and help yourself.”
Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw agrees.
“I think being on this team was something that was on my bucket list from the beginning, so being able to do it was really cool and a lot of fun,” he added. “Obviously, I thought I’d never throw a baseball again, so to be able to do it with Team USA on my chest and go back to that dugout… that team is really special.”
The WBC began with exhibitions on March 2 and runs through March 17, which doesn’t give players much time to get to know each other and build camaraderie. But the players haven’t wasted any time and are taking advantage of the opportunity to meet teammates they wouldn’t otherwise play with.
“In an All-Star Game it’s fun to get to know the guys, but here I think the difference is that we come together,” Judge said.
“We’re really diving into each other, trying to get to know each other, supporting each other. We’re supporting each other. Guys are hitting home runs that are usually on opposing teams and jumping out of the dugout. It’s great. It’s amazing to see, and I’m looking forward to (this tournament).”
Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt points to America’s size as a factor.
“It’s a challenge to be together, honestly, especially for [Team] United States with how widespread the United States is,” he said.
“Not a lot of us are going to play winter ball and stuff like that, whereas some of these other countries have that in the offseason. So you have to be very intentional about having conversations with the players in the locker room and not just walk away when the game is over or when you come out of the game and just do your thing. It takes time, and you get to see everyone do it. Everybody wants to play well and get to know each other, and just try to speed up that process as much as possible.”
Philadelphia Phillie Kyle Schwarber can already see how things are going
“Fortunately, we all have a very good idea of who everyone is,” he said, “and I feel like the coaching staff has done a very good job of putting a lot of these guys in the room who are great guys. And we’ve been having team dinners and getting to know each other, and team meetings and things like that. Nobody’s afraid to talk here, and I think that’s the best thing we can have.”
Goldschmidt has played in three Classics and is the only player on Team USA to do so. And he’s seen significant changes since he first put on the uniform in 2017.
“My freshman year, there were definitely some top players that didn’t want to play,” he said.
“Those of us who were there wanted to show how great this team could be, and we were able to win. And then I think last time more guys wanted to do it, and we saw the end there against Japan. Even though we came up short, how much fun everyone was having and how great the event was.” [was] brought more media coverage on television. So this time, it seems like almost everyone wants to be a part of it.”
And Goldschmidt was involved in recruiting some players to play for their countries in the WBC.
“I came back [after 2017] And I was just telling everyone on my team, everyone who got to first base to listen to me, ‘You’ve got to play for your country,’ and of course the USA guys have to go play for Team USA because it was great,” he said.
“It was a lot of fun. The competition was great. We were basically playing an All-Star Game every night, and it definitely sets you up for the season. So I think all those things really helped. And the same thing in 2023, and I felt the momentum growing as well. Hopefully we can play well and keep it up where it grows even more.”
Kershaw has also paid attention to how the WBC has evolved, which is why playing for Team USA was a “bucket list item.”
“All Mookie’s Boys [Betts] Will Smith and even [Austin Barnes] “When he played for Mexico, everyone told me it’s something you have to do and just the atmosphere that comes with it,” he said. “And now you see some of these teams… I mean, they’re pretty stacked with players.” [Dominican Republic] and Japan and those groups. So it will be a playoff atmosphere. That’s what everyone has told me, and [this] The group is certainly motivated to win, which is really fun.”
For Schwarber, this year is about resolving unfinished business.
“There’s a new team, new faces, new everything, but we still have the same three letters on our chest where we didn’t get the job done three years ago and we want to fix that,” he said.
“Everyone has the right mindset here. Everyone hopes to come into this tournament and make a deep run and go all the way and take a gold medal. So it’s one step at a time, one game at a time, and there’s no looking forward or back. We just have to be able to do what we do, take care of business and go from there.”
Team USA is 2-0 in Pool Play so far and will face Mexico on Monday at 8 pm ET.
