Pete Alonso Would Be Honored To Represent United States At World Baseball Classic

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Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman is already looking forward to the next installment of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). 

Stroman, then with the Blue Jays, pitched for and led the United States to a gold medal finish in 2017. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed one hit in the championship game. With the 2021 WBC set to begin next March, Stroman took to Twitter to see which players should be a part of Team USA. 

It didn't take long for baseball fans to suggest Stroman's Mets teammate, first baseman Pete Alonso. 

"If @USABaseball named me to the national team, I might cry," Alonso responded. "I tried out for the 18U team awhile back and didn’t make it. It would be an honor to put the red, white, and blue on and rep the Stars and Stripes."

If @USABaseball named me to the national team, I might cry. I tried out for the 18u team a while back and didn’t make it. It would be an honor to put the red, white, and blue on and rep the Stars and Stripes

— Pete Alonso (@Pete_Alonso20) March 19, 2020

The 25-year-old will have quite the competition for the starting job. In 2017, veterans Eric Hosmer, who also responded to Stroman's post, and Paul Goldschmidt handled first-baseman duties for the United States. But Alonso's stellar rookie campaign could declare him the position's front-runner. 

Current predictions have Alonso slated to make the team, according MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Mets didn't have a single representative represent the United States during the last gold medal run. Mets prospect Tim Tebow committed to play for the Philippines during the qualifying round. Stroman also advocated for Mets' Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil to join the team. 

"Representing one's country, there's a lot of pride," Alonso told WEBN, a Boston news station, in 2017. "And a very, very competitive atmosphere. People who are doing that, I have a lot of respect for them."

Arizona's Chase Field and Miami's Marlins Park are two of four venues announced to host the tournament — the only United States venue. MLB postponed the qualifying round due to concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They were originally scheduled to take place this March.