Mike Trout, Mookie Betts defend WBC after Edwin Diaz harm
Mike Trout’s expectations for the World Baseball Classic had been excessive. He had been trying ahead to the occasion since Team USA received the final match in 2017. The Angels’ famous person middle fielder was the primary participant to decide to play for the U.S. this time round and helped recruit a number of the different stars on the roster. But the expertise has surpassed even his highest expectations.
“This is the funnest experience I have had on the baseball field, to represent your country,” Trout stated. “It’s been a blast.”
Trout spoke Wednesday night time after main Team USA to a 3-2 win over Colombia that superior the Americans to the quarterfinals Saturday towards Venezuela in Miami. Sitting on the opposite facet of the desk had been Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and a particular visitor, his daughter Kynlee.
Betts and Trout powered Team USA’s offense atop the lineup, combining for 5 hits, three RBI and two runs scored. The duo, two of the brightest stars on the earth, shone collectively. It was an illustration of the WBC’s potential. A number of hours earlier, one other one — a darker one — performed out throughout the nation.
Puerto Rico nearer Edwin Díaz, moments after closing out the Dominican Republic to advance to the quarterfinals, sustained a proper knee harm in the course of the workforce’s celebration. Díaz was carried off the sector earlier than being put in a wheelchair. The New York Mets, his mum or dad membership, stated Diaz suffered a proper patellar tendon and was anticipated to have surgical procedure on Thursday. He might be out for the season, a devastating growth for a World Series contender.
The sequence shortly produced a raging debate on social media over the occasion’s legitimacy and dangers concerned so near the beginning of an everyday season. Trout and Betts, each taking part for the primary time, defended the match.
“Those things, they can happen to anybody at any given time,” Betts stated. “And you can always try and place blame on the WBC, but that’s just a freak accident that could happen to anyone at any given time.
“This is so much fun. It’s so much fun. And this is way better than getting four at-bats in the back fields. I encourage those who are watching, come join, come play for Team USA, because this is a lot of fun.”
Said Trout: “Obviously there’s risk involved. You’re still playing baseball, and it’s spring training. For me, being part of this atmosphere, it’s special. It means a lot to me. And I knew going in it was going to be a fun time. But I never knew it was going to be this fun.”
Díaz, 28, was maybe the perfect reliever within the majors final season. The Mets rewarded him with a five-year, $102-million contract in November. Team USA first baseman Pete Alonso, Diáz’s Mets teammate, known as the harm “heartbreaking.”
“It’s a fluke thing,” Team USA and Mets reliever Adam Ottavino stated. “It could’ve happened in any type of situation, regardless. I don’t think it’s the tournament’s fault, but it does stink. For the team and, obviously, for him.”
Does Ottavino assume golf equipment will turn into extra restrictive for the following match in consequence?
“That’s more of a Rob Manfred question because they can’t really stop you from playing if you haven’t been hurt the year before,” Ottavino stated. “So as long as that’s still the case, they can threaten you all you want, but guys are still going to want to play. You can see the passion involved in these games.
“But, yeah, nobody really wants you to play. None of the teams really want you to play in that anyway. That was the case before this. This only strengthens that a little bit, I guess.”
Trout and Betts, appearing as ambassadors for the occasion, argued Díaz’s harm shouldn’t influence the match’s future. They emphasised the enjoyable they’re having collectively — on and off the sector.
“I think the main thing is he’s a normal dude,” Betts stated. “Obviously we all know the baseball side of it, but just getting in the clubhouse and just simple things like going to eat together, going to hit together, take defense together. You get to know someone.”
It’s a possibility solely the WBC can supply, and so they’re relishing it.