Big plays, small ace lead U.S. to Classic crown

There was something different about this United States team. That much was apparent early on.

- Kyle Glaser

Its predecessors in the World Baseball Classic had been characterized largely by passivity, stoicism and, ultimately, disappointing finishes. Whether it was their two second-round eliminations or their fourth-place finish in 2009, one could hardly tell at times if the U.S. had won or lost a game based on their players’ reactions.

With accomplished but famously restrained veterans like Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones and David Wright leading their teams, the U.S. simply didn’t project the energy or enthusiasm needed to compete in the two and a half week sprint that is the WBC. That was especially apparent against the passionate precision of Japan, the boundless energy of the Dominican Republic, the underdog drive of the Netherlands or the prideful joy of Puerto Rico.

And then this team came along. It was younger, a bit less proven, hungrier than those that came before it. Before long, the narrative that U.S. players simply didn’t care about the WBC was quickly rendered incompatible with the current group.

There was Eric Hosmer, pounding his chest and faux-ripping his shirt, a la Superman, after big hits. There was Adam Jones, leaping and crashing into walls and letting out roars for all to hear after he’d brought the crowd to its feet. There was Marcus Stroman, shimmying his shoulders and exuding his incomparable swag on the mound. There were unheralded relievers Pat Neshek and Tyler Clippard and Luke Gregerson, pumping their fists and letting out exhortations of joy after escaping key jams. There were Christian Yelich and Andrew McCutchen, flashing giant smiles after every key hit or big play.

This team was different. This team wanted something. And this team had the potent mix of passion, desire and talent to channel it into concrete results. By the time they were done, they had claimed the World Baseball Classic championship for the United States for the first time.