Veteran MLB pitcher Max Scherzer said this month that he was against the World Baseball Classic (WBC) being played in March because he was not ready for a playoff-like game in the middle of spring training.
What he said makes perfect sense, but it doesn’t mean other players aren’t embracing this kind of atmosphere.
In fact, the entire USA roster is loving their time there.
On Tuesday, they will take the field at loanDepotPark in Miami at 7:00 p.m. ET to face Japan in the final game of the tournament.
The winner gets the recognition of the world and another title.
The loser?
Not much.
For Chicago White Sox infielder Tim Anderson, this is his own version of the Fall Classic.
Chicago White Sox IF Tim Anderson on playing in tonight’s WBC final:
‘This is kind of my World Series at the moment.’— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 21, 2023
It’s his way to say that it’s the highest-leverage game he has played in for quite some time.
He took over second base for Team USA, as his customary shortstop position is currently occupied by star Trea Turner.
Perhaps he recognizes that he probably won’t be playing a World Series for the White Sox anytime soon.
Chicago looked like it was going places in 2019-2021.
However, 2022 represented a step back in their contention window, and now they are full of uncertainty.
For now, Anderson is focused on the task at hand: being a solid second baseman for the United States.
He certainly has, and he is now ready to help America deliver the last blow and be crowned champs in consecutive WBC editions.
Japan won’t be easy foe, though: they are currently undefeated and have been equally impressive.
It will be a clash of titans, a game to remember for a very long time.
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