Two days ago MLB Network put a replay up of Adam Jones robbing Manny Machado of a home run in the 2017 World Baseball Classic against the Dominican Republic. The United States would go on to beat team Puerto Rico 8-0 on the back Marcus Stroman, who brought a no hit bid into the 7th inning and finished the tournament with a 2.35 ERA in three starts. In the comment section of the post, Stroman tagged former USA teammate, first baseman, Eric Hosmer. He asked if they were going to “run this back and win it again.” Once Hosmer replied that he was in, Stroman quickly added other former USA teammate and 2018 NL MVP, Christian Yelich into the conversation. Yelich also showed his interest in playing again for the United States in 2021.
Yesterday Stroman decided to make the most of the situation and figured that their would be no better time to start recruiting for the 2021 World Baseball Classic than right now. With everyone socially distancing themselves, we start to see players become more interactive on social media and streaming. With all this free time they are bound to continuously head to social media to communicate with the outside world. Stroman proceeded to tag some of the United States best produced talent at the moment, with players such as, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Walker Buehler, Bo Bichette, Trevor Bauer, and Trevor Story. Then adding if there was anyone missing from his list.
This sparked the baseball community into creating their “Dream Team” of USA Baseball, and many people began to tag other U.S. born all stars trying to get them to join the cause. Sports starved fans and players jumped at the opportunity to even think about a team of this caliber stepping on the field to represent their country. Even players were excited at the opportunity to have their name in the running to play for team USA. With players like Royals second baseman, Whit Merrifield, Rangers, Joey Gallo, and Cleveland Indians pitcher, Mike Clevinger all responding to Stroman’s recruitment shout out. All around great guy, Pete Alonso, also showed his passion to play for the team USA, tweeting that he would cry at the opportunity to represent his country. Alonso tried out for the 18u team a while back and didn’t make the roster. Trevor Bauer of the Cincinnati Reds responded to Alonso, saying that he tried out for three years before making the teams roster. Adding he’d be, “10000000% in,” to pitch for the team in 2021.
It’s amazing to see the passion and fire from these players that want to represent their teams in the World Baseball Classic, especially USA born players. It starts with the interest of one of its more younger and outspoken American born all star players in Marcus Stroman. When a guy like that starts getting the conversation started, it gets the other players more and more excited to want to participate. And not just any players either, the best of the best of its countries ball players. Ever since the World Baseball Classic started back in 2006, teams have struggled to draw interest in players trying to participate, especially American born players. Most decided not to participate and practice in a normal spring training environment, and some didn’t want to risk getting hurt playing in a tournament not affiliated with the club that was paying them. It’s because of these issues that team USA’s performance over the years hasn’t been the juggernaut it has the potential to be. To put it into perspective, the rotation behind Stroman last year was, Chris Archer, Danny Duffy, Drew Smyly and Tanner Roark. Not names that certainly jump out at you, but despite this, team USA was able to earn its first gold medal in 2017. Despite having some great moments in games, throughout the first three World Baseball Classics, team USA’s best finish was just fourth place in 2009. I think team USA’s victory could have been the spark that brings out its best talent, even for one year, to try and win back-to-back gold medals. Baseball fans have longed to see its best produced talent all on one team competing against the best players from other countries. By no means would it be easy, but the potential roster you could have with this type of talent would be unbelievable to watch. Stroman is doing his part early in building up excitement and commitment from players around the league, but until then baseball fans can argue over the best roster we could have.
The Washed Up Athlete 