Edwin Diaz’s devastating knee injury at the World Baseball Classic has many fans ripping the event after it claimed another big leaguer, perhaps for the entire season.
But, when the players were asked about Diaz’s knee injury and the risk involved, the game’s stars were quick to rave about the WBC, and how they wouldn’t change their minds about playing.
“This is the most fun experience I’ve had on a baseball field, to represent your country,” Mike Trout said when asked about weighing injury risk against playing in the WBC. “I’ve been having a blast. Obviously, there’s risk involved. You’re still playing baseball in spring training. For me, it’s being a part of this atmosphere. It’s special. It means a lot to me.
“Going in, I knew it was going to be a fun time, but I didn’t think it was going to be this fun.”
Mookie Betts, Trout’s Team USA teammate, was in full agreement. Based on the atmosphere at the WBC, particularly in Miami when Diaz’s Puerto Rico squad beat the Dominican Republic before Diaz was hurt celebrating the win, the rest of the players agree as well.
“Those things, that could happen to anybody at any time,” Betts said. “I don't try to place blame on the WBC, that's just a freak accident that could happen to anyone at any give time.
“This is so much fun. This is way better than getting four at-bats on the backfields. I encourage anyone watching to come join and come play for Team USA, because this is a lot, a lot, of fun.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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